My Dearest Friend (Books We Love Regency Romance) by Hazel Statham

flooded cobles of the yard from the parlor window, the duke wondered at the sense of traveling on such a day. However, he put these thoughts aside knowing that the mere idea of delay would find no favor with his companion. Instead, he sent word to Hills to be ready within the hour and joined Jane at the breakfast table.
    A reserve had existed on the duke’s part at their first meeting this morning but Jane’s amiable greeting and conversation had dispelled any awkwardness.
    Jane’s heart had immediately gone out to him when she had joined him in the parlor, the sight of his drawn countenance once more awakening a desire to comfort him. She attempted to lighten his mood and eventually a genial rapport came into being. Each once more finding an ease in the others company.
    When the maid arrived to collect the dishes, the duke rose from the table. “I think it would be wise to plan to travel no further than Vendas today,” he said taking up his greatcoat. “The terrain is rough and unsheltered; if the rain continues, we could well encounter difficulties. As it is, our progress will needs be slow.”
    “Even so, at least we will have made some progress,” Jane said, rising to don her cloak. “Elvas and Harry will seem that little bit nearer.”
    “Just so,” he replied. “The coach is at the door, make haste and I will join you as soon as I have settled with the landlord.”
     
    ***
     
    As they left the confines of Marateca the thunder rumbling in the distance proved that the storm still raged and the driving rain made it necessary to keep the windows fastened tightly. The damp air misted the panes and only the swaying of the coach made them aware of the speed at which they traveled. Sometimes, by necessity, their progress was slow; at others, they advanced at a far better pace, only now and again clearing the windows sufficiently to examine the unfamiliar terrain. There was nothing remarkable about the stark countryside, no landmarks or buildings to be seen only the flat muddy plains visible through the haze of weather.
    They were some forty or so miles into their journey when the road led them through a densely wooded area. At least here they would be afforded some shelter and the coachman slowed his horses to a walk, allowing them to go at their own speed and so regain some of their breath. The trees were so closely set together that they seemed to present a canopied avenue. The light filtered fitfully through their boughs, their density defusing the downpour and the ground felt firmer under the wheels of the coach, providing some respite from the storms that tore at the exterior.
    However, some way into the wood s Hills gave a quiet rap against the hatch. “I do believe we are being observed, your grace,” he whispered as the duke dropped the hatch door. “There seems to be someone moving amongst the trees. What do you wish me to do?”
    “Are you armed?” asked the duke in the same hushed tone.
    “Yes, sir.”
    “ Then place your firearm in full view. Make no move unless we are challenged, perhaps the knowledge that we are carrying weapons will deter them. Tell the coachman to increase the pace. Leave the hatch open and let me know what you see.”
    Returning to his seat the duke took the brace of pistols from the door of the coach and under Jane ’s anxious gaze, lay them on the seat beside him. They felt the speed of the coach increase as the horses were sprung to a canter, aware that this pace could prove disastrous in the wooded confines.
    “ Do you think we will be attacked, Robert?” she whispered, leaning toward him, eyes wide with trepidation.
    “ I don’t know, my dear,” he replied “but ’tis best that we should be prepared for any eventuality.” Taking the small pistol from his pocket, he held it out to her. “Take this, use it only if you feel threatened. If we are stopped, keep out of sight. Hills and I will deal with the situation.”
    An apprehensive look was her only reply as,