Page 46 of A Dilemma for the Duke

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Hidden in thethicket near the abandoned roadway, the highwayman surveyed his surroundings with practiced ease. His eyes flickered to the north road, where he expected the courier to appear. The plan was simple, intercept the courier, secure the documents, and disappear without a trace.

He adjusted his mask and checked his gear, ensuring everything was in place for a swift operation. He settled deeper into the shadows, the dense foliage providing ample cover. His breathing slowed as he waited for the perfect moment to strike.

*

As Lora andAstra approached Briarcliff Woods, the cool air beneath the foliage carried the scent of pine and damp leaves surrounding them. Lora slowed Astra to a canter, then a careful trot.

“Easy now,” she murmured, her gaze sweeping the surroundings. The woods were quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the melodic bird. Beams of sunlight pierced through the branches, illuminating specks of dust that danced in the air.

She dismounted, her boots sinking slightly into the soft underbrush. Astra nickered softly, her ears twitching as she surveyed the area. Lora led her to a secluded spot among the trees, a thicket of bramble and fern where they wouldn’t be seen. She stroked the mare’s muzzle. “We’ve made it. Now, we rest and wait, my friend.”

Minutes ticked by, each one feeling longer than the last. Lora’s thoughts swirled. Had she arrived in time? Had Jeffers reached Rockford? Doubt threatened to creep in, but she firmlypushed it aside. No use fretting now. She’d done all she could. She sat at the base of the old hollow tree and waited.

As she rested, she recalled she had her father’s letter to the king, which she had placed in her pocket when she changed clothes with Amy Burn. Angry at her father and needing to distance herself from the letter, she stood to tuck the letter into her saddlebag. However, as she turned towards Astra, she noticed the tree and smiled. Her fingers traced the familiar knot in the tree’s bark. With one last glance at the letter, she pressed it into the hollow. A quiet resolve settled over her, this was one secret she would keep safe, no matter what came next.

As Lora waited in the shadows of the dense woodland, the stillness of Briarcliff Woods surrounded her. The soft rustling of leaves overhead was the only sound. She strained her ears, hoping to catch any hint of Timothy or perhaps Rockford approaching. Time seemed to crawl, each passing minute magnifying her anxiety.

She froze. Footsteps? Her heart hammered as she held her breath, straining to listen. A rustle, then a small hare darted from the underbrush. She exhaled sharply, forcing her pulse to steady. But the unease remained. If Rockford didn’t arrive soon, she would have to act alone.

Chapter Nineteen

Hoofbeats thundered inthe distance, growing louder. Lora’s heart leaped, but something was wrong. The rhythm was erratic, frantic. She peered through the foliage and froze. A horse galloped wildly down the path, its reins flapping. There was no rider.

A chill ran down her spine. Whose horse was it? Emerging from her hiding place, she stepped onto the path.

“Whoa there,” she called softly, holding out her hands. The horse slowed, its sides heaving as it approached her cautiously.

Just as she reached for the bridle, a shadow shifted at the edge of her vision. Before she could react, a gloved hand clamped firmly over her mouth and stifled her startled gasp.

The highwayman’s grip on her mouth remained firm as he leaned closer. “Not a sound.” His voice was a low growl.

Lora’s heart pounded, but she forced herself to stay calm. After a tense moment, he slowly removed his hand from her mouth but remained intimidatingly close.

“Now, listen carefully.” His tone was muffled but commanding. “You will do exactly as I say, or there will be consequences. Understand?”

She nodded and caught a glimpse of her assailant. He was a tall figure cloaked in black, a mask concealing his features. The highwayman.

“Why are you doing this? What are you after?” Her questions were real, but they were also a delay tactic.

“State secrets can be valuable to so many people. As for royal correspondence, you would be surprised what you can find out and use to your advantage.”

He leaned in, his tone cold and devoid of emotion. “Enough questions. If you wish to remain unharmed.”

She nodded slowly, her mind whirling. How did he approach so silently?

“Mount your horse,” he commanded, gesturing toward Astra.

Swallowing her fear, Lora adjusted her cap, hoping he wouldn’t realize her identity. She mounted Astra, the highwayman mounted his horse. Lora took Astra’s reins. They set off and went deeper into the woods.

They rode in an oppressive silence as the canopy above thickened, casting the surroundings into a dim twilight despite the morning hours. Lora was well aware that the deeper they ventured into the wilderness, the farther she was from the safety of the main path. Lora tried to memorize landmarks, a gnarled oak here, a rocky outcrop there, but the unfamiliar terrain soon became a labyrinth.

After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at an old hunting lodge set among towering pines. The structure was weathered but sturdy, its stone walls covered with ivy. He dismounted and then signaled for her to get down from her horse.

They walked up to the lodge. “Inside,” he ordered, holding the door open. She hesitated briefly but decided compliance was her best option for now. The interior was dim, too dim to take note of any furnishings. The air was filled with the rich scents of aged wood, damp stone, tart citrus, and a smoky aroma. The floorboards creaked underfoot.

“Through there,” he pointed toward a door at the back. She stepped forward, her senses alert. As she entered the small room, she noticed only a simple bed and a window with shuttersthat were nailed shut, letting in a faint sliver of light that cast eerie shadows on the wall.

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