Free Miss Peterson & The Colonel by Fenella J Miller

whereabouts. No common footpad would follow a quarry to their home and break in.
    'I shall ring the bell in a moment, but first I demand that you tell me what all this is about. I do not wish to be excluded, and as soon as David arrives I shall have to leave. He is going to think it most improper that I'm here in the first place.'
    His eyes narrowed and he stared at her before nodding. 'Very well, I shall give you a brief synopsis. Arthur was struck down by a book, not a stone. This volume is of paramount importance to the government but even more so to the traitors who are plotting to rescue Bonaparte from Elba.'
    'I knew it. I have seen the book they seek. Good grief! It's still in the pocket of the riding habit I was wearing, I'd quite forgotten I'd put it there. I told my maid to throw the garment into the ragbag. I shall go at once and retrieve it.'
    He didn't detain her, but continued to watch her in the most disconcerting way. Her cheeks coloured for a second time under his scrutiny. What was it about this man that so unsettled her? She was tugging at the bell strap when she froze.
    'Colonel, there's something you do not know. Jenkins brought the prisoners back here. They're locked in a cellar under the clock tower on the other side of the yard. The two men who were in here might find and release them. I must warn…'
    Ignoring her sensibilities, he cursed volubly. Then to her horror, he threw the covers aside and leapt out of bed. She flinched in horror; she'd never seen a gentleman's knees before.
    'Go away, Miss Peterson. I must get dressed.'
    He had no need to tell her a second time.
    She fled from the room, exiting the apartment through the double doors that led into the main part of the house. Why was nobody up? Had she not made sufficient noise to rouse the dead? They needed to barricade themselves in before there were six men trying to enter and steal the precious volume. There was one way she could be certain everyone the household would get up.
    Gathering the skirts of her wrap she raced to the entrance hall. Taking the beater, she hammered on the brass gong and the noise reverberated throughout the house. She was more than ready to hand over responsibility to her brother and the colonel.
    David appeared on the stairs, still tucking his nightshirt into his breeches, barefoot with his boots held precariously under one arm. 'What is it? Has the colonel died?'
    'No, he's fully recovered. But his man has been hit on the head by two of the footpads that waylaid us earlier. You'll be relieved to know that I was able to scare them away. Far worse than that, David, soon there will be six men trying to get in to recover a secret code book. It's imperative that they don't get their hands on it.'
    He didn't ask her how she knew this or what she was doing in the entrance hall in her night attire. He was as coolheaded and brave as she. 'You take the chambers on the right. I'll take those on the left. Check that the shutters are securely barred.'
    He hopped away, dragging his boots on, not waiting to see if she followed his instructions. She should have thought of that herself. However, the sight of the colonel in his nightshirt had quite discommoded her.
    By the time she'd rushed from room to room and returned to the entrance hall, the whole house was awake. She shivered. The desperate men outside must also be aware of this.
    The colonel looked every inch a soldier. He was barking commands to Jenkins, Fred, Billy and two other stable hands. They were responding with enthusiasm. David was holding his pistols. He was an expert shot – they both were – but seeing weapons drawn inside her house was deeply shocking.
    The colonel saw her first. From commanding officer he turned instantly to a charming gentleman. His smile softened his features, and made her feel secure and loved.
    Where had that nonsensical idea sprang from?
    The candlestick slipped from her fingers to land painfully on her toe. He was at her side in an