Page 73 of Lord of Fortune
Chapter 13
After arrangingwith Culley to take dinner in her room, Amelia had instructed her maid to inform the household that she planned to retire early—if the household even asked. She’d kept to herself all day, which hadn’t been difficult. With Penn gone and, more importantly, due to the reason for his absence, a pall of gloom had settled over the house.
With about an hour until dusk, Amelia stole from the house and made her way to Penn’s lean-to. She’d brought Dyrnwyn with her, and the sword was even heavier than she remembered when she’d picked it up at Oxford. After a few yards, she had to drag it along the ground.
Kersey waited with two horses. At least she thought it was Kersey. The man, dressed in an oversized costume of indeterminate age, hunched at the shoulders and wore a wide-brimmed hat that shaded his face.
As she approached, he looked up, and she breathed a sigh of relief. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Then I’ve done well.” He straightened to his full height. “I was just practicing my stoop.”
“Very effective.”
“It changes my height and body shape, while averting my face as well. I didn’t have time to obtain fake facial hair. A gray beard would’ve helped.”
“You put a great deal of thought into this,” she said.
“It’s an important endeavor, and I mean to be successful.” The determination in his tone was evident, and Amelia was glad she’d decided to trust him.
“Should I ask where you obtained the horses?”
“One is mine, of course, and the other I borrowed from an inn near town.” He cocked a brow at her. “Did you think I’d stolen it?”
“No.” Maybe.
His gaze dipped over her. “I didn’t realize you’d be in disguise as well.”
She glanced down at her men’s costume—the one she’d worn when she’d met Penn. She’d brought it along on their journey to London, suspecting it might be useful. “It’s rather difficult to dash about looking for antiquities in a gown.”
His gaze turned apologetic. “I’m afraid I brought a sidesaddle.”
She silently cursed, but offered him a smile. “It’s my fault. I didn’t think to mention what I would be wearing. I’ll manage.”
“And, ah, what are you carrying?”
Unsure of what they might be facing, she’d decided to bring the sword, as well as her pistol, which was tucked into her waistband. “It’s a sword.”
“That’s not just any sword,” he said darkly.
“No, it isn’t. I suspect you recognize it.”
“How did you get it?”
“From Penn. I thought it prudent to bring it along, particularly if it…activates its power for you.” Just saying that made her want to shake her head. She still didn’t quite believe it, and if she were honest with herself, she’d brought it to see if it did in factflame.
“That was well considered of you,” he said with a nod. “I can attach it to your saddle.”
“Shouldn’t it be on your saddle? And, er, it’s rather heavy.”
He took it from her, lifting it with ease. “Not for me. I’ll put it on mine.” He moved around his horse and fastened it to his saddle. “You have the heart?” he asked.
She patted her chest where she’d hastily stitched a pocket that afternoon. “Let us be on our way.” She placed her hand on the saddle, and he boosted her up. A few minutes later, they were on their way from Hollyhaven.
They arrived at the junction of the Wye and Monnow Rivers with plenty of time to spare before dusk. The Monnow Bridge with its gatehouse loomed over the Monnow River, casting a shadow across the water from the setting sun.
Kersey dismounted, then helped her do the same. “I suspect he won’t be alone.”
“But I’m supposed to be. What if they see you and decide to forgo the meeting entirely?”
