Free Rebel Marquess by Amy Sandas Page A

to cooperate with highwaymen so as not to put their employers at undue risk. But Rutherford was not going to ignore the possibility that some brave man may be inclined to challenge them. He had another pistol tucked into his boot ready to use in defense only if absolutely necessary.
    Turning slowly in his saddle to reduce the creaking of leather, he watched the carriage come around the bend. They were stationed about halfway between Silverly and London, knowing the guests from the Blackbourne party would have to travel this way to get back to town. Already several carriages had passed their position, but none of them had been their intended mark.
    Grimm had assured them Lady Ashdown was returning to town this night, and they had gone over the details of the Ashdown vehicle several times so they could recognize it on sight. As the approaching carriage drew near, Rutherford noted the distinctive colors Grimm had described and felt a rush of alert anticipation.
    He looked to Grimm and the other man nodded vigorously. Rutherford swore he heard him swallowing down his nerves.
    With a quick and silent prayer all would go as planned, Rutherford urged his horse out from beneath the cover of trees and into the road. He didn’t even have to fire a shot as the driver pulled up instantly. His friends followed and took their places around the vehicle.
    “Stand and deliver,” he announced loudly enough for the passengers inside to hear him. He wanted there to be no confusion as to what was taking place. He kept his eyes on the driver until Grimm trained his pistol on the man. The driver did not look the slightest bit inclined to put up a fight and Rutherford experienced a brief brush of relief.
    They might manage to pull this off with minimal hassle.
    Rutherford nodded to Whitely, who went straight to the carriage door and dismounted. Rutherford kept back to watch the scene for unexpected developments. He scanned the road in both directions. They needed to get this done quickly and effectively. This was their only chance to get their hands on the ring before it was hidden away in Lady Ashdown’s townhouse.
    He refused to consider the possibility she had tucked the piece into her luggage rather than risk keeping it on her person where it could be spied and recognized.
    “I must ask ye ladies to alight from yer vehicle. It’ll only take a bit,” Whitely was saying into the darkened recess of the carriage. The menacing shadow of his pistol belied his pandering tone.
    Rutherford took a quick look at Grimm to assure himself the man was keeping his post at the driver’s side and then returned his focus to Whitely.
    Lady Ashdown was supposed to be traveling alone, but Rutherford tried to consider every contingency. Should the lady be found with a companion, Whitely had been instructed to order the occupants from the vehicle. This was to allow for Rutherford to help keep an eye on them while Whitely searched their possessions. He did not want anyone using the darkness of the carriage to pull a concealed weapon.
    Whitely helped first Lady Ashdown to the ground and then turned to offer a hand to a second and then a third woman.
    Lady Terribury’s gaze darted about in alarm as she stepped from the vehicle.
    Rutherford tightened his fingers on his reins in annoyance. The woman was everywhere these days.
    “What is this about?” Lady Terribury demanded, her voice shrill.
    “My dear ladies, we mean ye no harm,” Whitely explained in an effusively flowered tone, though he kept his unloaded pistol raised for the women to see. He waved them into a line alongside the carriage. “Relinquish yer valuables and we’ll be on our way.”
    “But I have so few lovely things,” Lady Ashdown argued plaintively. “You cannot take everything.”
    “We can an’ we will,” Whitely asserted. A hard note of warning coated his sugared voice. There was a sharp moment of silence as the ladies stood with wide eyes.
    Lady Terribury nudged her daughter with