Free Memoirs of a Hoyden by Joan Smith Page A

himself sat mesmerized throughout.
    “We might as well go back,” Ronald said.
    “Go back, and miss out on the exciting part after we’ve come this far? Ronald, I’m disappointed in you. Naturally we must follow Kestrel and learn what he’s up to. Do you trust him to handle Longville by himself? I certainly do not.”
    “Kestrel is top of the trees, Marion. You may be sure he has some plan. I think it would be best if we just do as he said.”
    I was beginning to think we were perhaps de trop, but having come this far, I couldn’t bear to miss out on the excitement. “When were you upgraded from my secretary to my adviser, Mr. Kidd? I don’t recall that promotion. I mean to follow Kestrel. Anything could happen. Of course, if you are afraid of a handful of Frenchies, then you must by all means desert me. You won’t forget to look for my lap case at Chatham? I wouldn’t want to lose those three chapters of the next Aurelia.”
    Ronald shook his head. “There’s no need to con me. I’ll go along, but if we end up getting Kestrel killed and losing the letter to the Frenchies, it’s on your shoulders. I officially register my objection here and now.”
    “Objection duly noted. And when I save Kestrel’s life and the letter, will you remember your objection, my good secretary?”
    Ronald knew I was only teasing. A “Mr. Kidd” will usually bring him to heel. His mood was just fine as we waited in the road to see which turn Kestrel took. We would have to keep a considerable distance behind Kestrel, as he looked over his shoulder from time to time to be sure we weren’t following. We turned our mounts around as though leaving, but when Kestrel turned right, we weren’t far behind him.
    A thrill of pleasure trembled up my spine. I hadn’t had such fun since the frigate docked in England. I felt a new adventure was stirring, offering the possibility of not only helping my country and gathering material for Aurelia, but of showing Lord Kestrel a much-needed lesson as well. Amateur indeed! Boring my audience!
     

Chapter Five
     
    The road signs on the corner where Kestrel turned said Dover three miles, Hythe five miles, in the opposite direction. Kestrel did not continue north toward Dover as he had indicated he would, but south toward Hythe. Already the land was taking on the appearance of territory reclaimed from the sea, with Romney Marsh a few miles ahead.
    That would be an unattractive area populated by a few farms, many sheep, and many bands of smugglers, but where we rode, the coast was still rocky. Some beauty was added by the ocean, visible at times, and always reminding one of its presence by the smell. Kestrel took many a sharp look around to insure he wasn’t being followed, which required Ronald and me to be put to the unusual and uncomfortable shift of riding in the ditch, but eventually he turned his mount in at a fine old iron gate. When we reached it a little later, we saw a prosperous private estate. While waiting to stop the first passerby and ascertain that the place was indeed Longville Manor, we laid our plans.
    “One of us must have an accident,” I said. “Kestrel’s an idiot. He’s going to waltz straight in and accuse Longville to his face. Much chance he’ll have of catching the spies once he’s revealed himself. Longville will kill him.”
    “I can’t believe Kestrel would do that. He ain’t the gudgeon we’ve been thinking,” Ronald replied. “In fact, I still think we should go on and leave him in peace.”
    “In pieces is more like it. He’ll need our help before this is over. Are you ready?”
    “I take it I’m the one who’s going to have an accident? I knew how it would be. I need my cane.” He hopped down from his perch and procured himself a stout fallen branch, on which he would hold the weight of his sprained ankle when we went to Sir Herbert’s door to seek assistance.
    Ronald thought my spraining an ankle would cause greater pity, and a greater chance