Authors: Michelle Woodward
“I hope so.”
“Then be a good chap, and understand that I’m drunk as a brewery rat.”
“Please Sir, ride up front with me. The fresh air will do you good, cool you down and clear your head.”
“I will remain here.”
Edward glanced at Isabel who slowly shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t let you, Sir.”
George sighed. “Edward, you’re dismissed.” He then pulled a pistol from his inside breast pocket. “Permanently, so.”
“No!” Isabel threw her leg in the air, kicking George’s arm and causing him to skew his shoot. The gunfire alarmed the horses, causing them to bolt. Unbalanced inside the moving carriage, George stumbled towards the door before being kicked out headfirst by Isabel.
Edward stood to one side while George fell to the ground. He quickly picked up the pistol while a dazed George gingerly picked himself up from the road. “Sorry, George.”
“It should be me who apologise.”
“It’s too late for you.” Edward held the pistol by its warm barrel, and then smashed its butt across the back of George’s head, rendering him unconscious. However, he had no time to think about what he had just done as he heard the cry of his horses and crunching of wood. “Isabel!”
Edward rolled George into the field drain before racing over to the carriage which sat overturned in a field drain. His heart pounded as he inspected the wreckage. Staring through the broken window of the door, he found inside a tearful Isabel lying prone against the far wall. “Isabel, are you hurt?”
“I’m hurt all over... but what is in total ruin is my pride.”
“Let’s not worry about that now. Come on, let’s get you out.”
“Take my hand.” Isabel felt her bones ache as she reached out to take hold of Edward’s hand. “I don’t know what to do. All I know is that I want to get away from here... away from George. I never want to see him again.”
“Run back to your father.”
“I want to. I really want to. But father will only send me back to George.”
Without thinking, Edward spoke from his heart. “Then come with me.”
“You think it’s the right thing to do?”
“Yes. But be quick. We must go right now. George will stir at any moment.”
Isabel yelled in pain while Edward pulled her out through the empty window space. “But where will we go?”
“Wherever out feet take us.”
“And where will that be?”
“We will find out when we get there?”
Free from the carriage, Isabel complained as she dusted herself down. “Edward... you talk in riddles.” She then broke into a smile and embraced her rescuer. “Talk to me like the gentleman you clearly are.”
“Isabel. I’m not talking in riddles.” Edward glanced around the open fields that were planted with an autumn crop which was yet to reach maturity. “The truth is I have no idea where to run. But I know we have to get as far away from George as possible, or end up in prison. I’m now a fugitive.”
“Then I am a fugitive too. We shall run together.”
“I can think of worse partners in crime.”
“The feeling is mutual.” Isabel felt worried, but could not ignore the excitement. “But we need a plan.”
“For now just have to keep moving.”
“But which direction”
“Aye, we do.” Edward returned to the carriage where he uncovered the saddle that was packed amongst the luggage. “Luckily for us, George was a keen rider. I packed his saddle this morning.”
“You... you’re not going to put me in a horse, are you?”
“You’re gonna have to conquer your fear of horses pretty damn quick.”
“Oh dear...” Isabel watched as Edward freed the horses of their pulling gear. “Oh dear me.”
“It’s a blessing, Isabel. We ride as far as the horse can take us, and then disappear underground.”
“Well, I can’t think of a better idea.”
Edward began to saddle one of the horses, but not without taking a glance over his shoulder to make sure George still lay in the ditch. “For now there is no better idea.”
“I think the only way we will find peace is leaving the country.”
“Scotland?”
“I was thinking further afield.”
Edward grunted as he buckled the saddle straps tight, and then tapped the flank of his horse. “Ireland?”
“Bloody America, Edward.”
“Oh... But we need to pay for a ticket? Where will we find such money?”
“I have plenty back at the house.”
“There is no way we can go back.”
Isabel showed Edward the Engagement ring. “I’m sure this ring can pay for a return as well.”
“It’s pretty little bugger. Just like you.”
“Father always has cotton ships docking at Liverpool. Maybe we can steal away on one of those.”
“Then, let’s get you on this horse.”
Isabel pointed to her full length skirt. “What about my skirt? It won’t let me straddle.”
“Ah... good point.”
“So?”
Edward nonchalantly shrugged. “Gonna have to take it off.”
“I will not. Edward... that’s George speak.”
Edward pulled out a knife. “Then we’re gonna have to make some adjustments.”
“I think it’s best the dress stays in one piece for now... I don’t know how long I will need it.”
“Isabel. Every second we spend messing around increases the likelihood of us landing in a prison cell.”
Isabel groaned. She stared down the empty field track while taking a moment to think. “Give me your full length ridging coat to change into. I’ll button it up like a dress.”
“Fine... if that makes you more comfortable.”
Dressed in the full length leather riding coat, Isabel passed Edward her dress. “Put it in the saddle back carefully.”
“I’ll do my best... if it fits.”
Isabel stood by the horse. She thought the beast looked larger and more fearsome with every passing second. “Edward. I just can’t... It’s huge.”
“Remember last month at the beach?”
“What?”Isabel suddenly screamed as Edward hoisted into the air over.
“Christ! You’re heavier than I thought. Straddle the horse, quickly...”
“Edward... you cheeky fellow. I had a heavy breakfast of bacon and egg.”
With Isabel safely on the horse, Edward held his aching back. “Phew.”
“Sorry.”
“No bother... honestly. Now let’s get out of here.”
~
Albert followed the policeman down the sunlit corridor of the private hospital. Despite the warmth of the air, the moans and groans of the patients sent a shiver down his spine. Albert’s sight then landed on George who lay in bed with his head bandage. “Forgive me for my abruptness, George. However, my concern mainly lies with finding my daughter. Did you have a good look at the devil who took Isabel?”
“What did I tell you about needing a pistol?”
“I allowed you to arm yourself... but it did no good.”
George grimaces while his head throbbed. “I will have my revenge, just you see.”
“Revenge on who? Who is this man? Speak to me, George.”
“The driver.”
Albert gasped as his worst fears were realised. “Edward? Good Lord!”
Chapter
10
Cloaked by the shadows of the night, Edward led Isabel down the quiet street of a sleeping city. On reaching the familiar house Edward opened the rickety gate then paced up to the door where he rattled the brass knocker.
The dull light of a gas lamp shone through the small window in the door, signalling that someone was home. Once the door opened Edward smiled at his friend. “Duffy, I need your help.”
“Need my help?”
“Yes. Isn’t that just what I just said?”
Duffy struggled to wake from his haze of drink induced sleep. “Come on... it’s a Friday night. I’m sloshed... couldn’t even please the wife.”
“You need to get me on a ship.”
“Why?”
“I got myself into a bit of bother.”
The shock helped Duffy to finally wake from his slumber. “What have you done?” His eyes then caught the faint outline of a woman who hung back by the gate. “Who’s the girl? You’ve not got her pregnant have you? You’re in fulltime work, do the right thing and pay your dues.” The figure then walked out from the shadow allowing Duffy to witness her beauty. “Jesus and fucking Joseph. Good... Good evening Ma’am.”
“It’s not a good evening and I’m definitely not pregnant. And you sir, are a foul mouthed gutter rat.”
“Are you..?” Duffy then glanced at Edward. “Is she Albert’s daughter?”
“Yes, it’s Lady Crompton.”
“No disrespect... but Ma’am, why do you need my help?” They’re your father’s ships. You can have yourself a first class cabin quicker than a blood hound can smell its own fart.”
“Oh Lord... did I just hear that?”
Duffy did his best to straighten his back. ”Sorry, Ma’am, forgive me... I’ve been drinking tonight. It’s my son’s birth...”
“Shut up.”
“OK.”
Edward placed his boot on the doorstep. “It’s not so simple.”He stared at Duffy, whose face was lit by the yellow light of the flickering gas lamp. “She can’t be seen.”
“You’re... kidnapping her?”
“I wouldn’t word it like that.”
Isabel rested her hand on Edward’s shoulder and gave him a warm smile. “Edward is not kidnapping me.” She then glanced back at Duffy. “Quite the opposite.”
“My head is cabbaged. I need to get back to bed.”
Edward felt the heat from the gas lamp against his neck as he stepped up to Duffy. “Don’t abandon us, mate.”
“I’ll never do that... you know me.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“Come one. The wife and kids are sleeping. Step inside and we can talk this over in the parlour.”
~
The air was cold in the parlour while Duffy poured three cups of whiskey. He picked up a cup in each hand, passing one to Isabel. “We haven’t got any crystal glasses... not used to such esteem guests.”
“Don’t worry. I would drink from a cloudy stream right now. Thank you.”
Duffy then passed the second cup to Edward. “Where do you want to go?”
“America.”
“America. Right... right. ” Duffy paced about the room in thought, and then slapped a hand on his face. “You’re going to get me lynched.”
“I’m sorry, Duffy. I wouldn’t ask you if I didn’t need to.”
“I’m a family man. I have three kids and a wife to think about. How could you?”
“You weren’t a family man when you were screwing the Frenchie!”
Duffy pointed towards the ceiling. “Keep it down, will ya?”
“Sorry.”
“You’re going to have to wait a few days. There’s no ship to the US until the end of the week.”
“We can’t wait... we’re wanted.”
“Fuck sake.” Duffy picked up his pipe that was already packed with tobacco. He slipped it between his lips before lighting it from the unshielded gas lamp. “The Caledonia... We’ve been loading her all week. She’s taking on fresh water in the morning and then she’s good to go.”
“Can you get us onboard?”
“The only thing is that it’s going to Halifax, Canada.”
Isabel jumped off her wooden chair. “That will do.”
“OK. It’s a bulk carrier carrying all sorts of dry goods. It will be cramp and smelly amongst the cargo, but if it’s good enough for the Irish then it should be good enough for a couple of runaways.”
“You’re a gentleman after all.”
“Right, we’re going to have to go down to the docks now.”
Isabel let out a desperate sigh. “I’ve been on my feet all day; I was hoping to finally get some sleep.”
“If you want to get on that ship without being noticed, it will have to be before sunrise.”
“I know.” Isabel stared down at her aching feet. “Well, I suppose there is no rest for the wicked.”
“Before we set out on this misguided adventure... What are you going to use as insurance?”
“Insurance?”
“If you need to bribe a crewmember?”
Edward felt his pockets. “I have the grand amount of forty pence.”
“I have my jewellery.”
“Not sure it will be enough.”
“Luckily I was dressed in my finest.”
Duffy grabbed his jacket from the coat hanger. “We’ll soon find out. Let’s go...”
~
The air felt heavy and laced by the smell of burnt coal as Duffy hurried down a cobbled street flanked by huge warehouses. His heart pounded like a steam locomotive on the rails while his eyes darted from one shadow to the next. He glanced over his shoulder towards a tired Edward and Isabel who lagged behind. “Keep close, you two.”