The Art Of Retaliation (Work In Progress)

Here is chapter one of a historical romance I am working on.  I would love your comments.  Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter One


North of London, December, 1812

Our pursuers were gaining on us. I feared for our lives when our carriage swayed from side to side as the coachman did his best to out run them. I held on to the side and prayed that we would be delivered from the danger of the highway robbers. I did not hold much hope for their civility with two women travelling alone in the evening. My companion Rosalind was on the verge of tears. She clutched at me burying her head against my shoulder. I put my arm around her and held her tight as much for my own comfort as for hers.

But we were not to escape. I strained to look out of the carriage window as I heard the gallop of a horse. I was astounded to see a young gentleman of birth ride past the window. I gave him a look of reproof but he was to smile wickedly at me. I sat back in the carriage, my temper beginning to overwhelm my fear and with good cause I may add.

I heard the sound of other horses and the carriage slowed down. There was shouting and we seemed to be brought to an abrupt stop. Rosalind let out a sob. I urged her to be quiet and sat pressed back in my seat setting my mind upon an escape should I be able to find the means. Perhaps the ruffians would steal our belongings and have nothing to do with us. But I was being foolish. I would just have to face the thieves with courage.

I heard the coachman and the boy who travelled on top with him do their best to protect us and dissuade the men from entering the coach but they would not be deterred. Rosalind began to sob loudly and none of my robust entreaties for her to stop her snivelling bore any success. I heard one of the men dismount his horse. I wanted to look out of the window of the stationary carriage but Rosalind pleaded with me to stay still when I made movement towards it. I did not wish to distress her any further for fear that she would be the cause of injury to herself with the ruffians. My heart began to pound and ache when I heard footsteps approach the carriage door.

'Lady Pamela Dashwood, I presume,' a handsome face appeared in the window to command my attention. It was the young man who had smiled at me as he passed the carriage earlier. I was surprised and concerned that he already knew of my name and title. It made me suspicious that this was more than highway robbery and I was to be singled out for some crime. I had heard of young men capturing heiresses such like myself and forcing them into marriage for their wealth. I was determined I would not allow it.

'And who asks for me, sir?' I said haughtily.

'Lord Peter Ramsay, at your service, Lady Dashwood.' I widened my eyes as he tilted his head in a mock salute and then opened the carriage door without further haste. He offered me his hand. 'Now please be so good as to allow me to help you from the carriage, madam.'

'No I will not, sir. What is the meaning of this? Why have you run down my carriage and frightened my companion? What do you want?' I was dismayed that my voice rose both with my sudden trembling and anger. I held Rosalind even tighter as her sobbing increased.

Lord Ramsay gave an impatient sigh.

'So many questions, Lady Dashwood. I will answer them all when you remove yourself from the carriage. Now please take my hand and let me help you and your companion to alight.'

'No, ' I made sure my tone was forceful although I had to admit that it probably served me no good in the situation. Still I am a stubborn girl and I would not show him any fear.

'Madam,' Lord Ramsay's voice rose an octave but still he maintained the effort to be civil in his threat, 'If you do not alight, I will remove you myself. Am I understood?'

'Really, I do protest . . .'

'I rather you didn't or I will be forced to act.'

He leaned into the carriage to reach for me. Rosalind squealed. I put up my hand and he stopped. I let go of Rosalind.

'I will do as you ask. There is no need for violence. Come Rosalind. I won't allow anything to happen to you. I promise.'

Lord Ramsay offered me his hand once more and with misgivings I decided to placate him and take it. I stepped out into the chilly November evening air and found that our carriage was surrounded by five men including Lord Ramsay, three of whom were still on horseback and aiming pistols at the coachman.

An attractive young fair headed man who bore a family resemblance to Lord Ramsay took hold of Rosalind the moment she was handed from the carriage. She began to squeal as he lifted her up around the waist and deposited her to sitting on top of his horse. He quickly mounted and pulled her struggling form towards his chest. So we were to be kidnapped.

I turned to Lord Ramsay making no attempt to hide my displeasure.

'I demand you answer my questions now, sir. I will not be kept waiting any longer. When my brother hears of your treatment of me . . .'

Lord Ramsay frowned.

'It is Lord Dashwood who causes your ill treatment.'

He moved closer to me a sudden fiery anger clouding his eyes. I fought my fear to stand my ground as he leaned towards me. He had such a handsome face with short black hair and dark brown eyes swirling tempestuously with his emotion that seemed to roam between anger and discomfort at his own actions. He towered in height above me making me feel my small stature as a disadvantage but I would not be deterred.

'Your brother has taken my young sister for a fool, Lady Dashwood. He has filled her head with false flattery and induced her to elope with him. She is of a fragile mind and he plans to ill use her, taking her fortune to pay his gambling debts when he marries her. I have it on good authority that he plans to confine her in an asylum once he has taken all he can from her.'

'But this can't be true. You speak ill of my brother, yet I have only ever known kindness and love from him.'

Those dark brown eyes narrowed with menace.

'You have been sorely deceived. Did you not know that he has squandered your family's wealth in his pursuit of leisure, vice and women?'

'No, you lie. I will not believe, you, sir. Harry has always been a high spirited man but he would never do such a thing,' I folded my arms and glanced at Rosalind who still sobbed. Her captor held her tight against him but to my surprise did all he could to soothe her fear with whispers of reassurance that she would come to no harm and hushed her distress with a gentle kiss upon the crown of her hair.

'You must, Lady Dashwood,' Lord Ramsay continued. ' He is on the verge of bankruptcy. He has designs on your own fortune that you are to receive from your late uncle that is held in trust. I believe Harry will use violence upon you until it is his own. There is no end to his villainy, I can assure you. He gives me no choice but to repay his act in kind and hold you to ransom for the safe return of my sister,' Lord Ramsay ended his passionate speech with a raised voice that made me jump.

Tears sprang into my eyes as I recoiled at hearing Harry be defiled in such an angry manner. I stepped away from him and glanced out behind me into the dark forest wondering if I should run away to raise the alarm but Lord Ramsay was to grab my arm and pull my reluctant body towards him.

'There is no escape, Lady Dashwood. You would not last ten minutes in this forest unaccompanied. It is full of thieves and knaves who will want more than your wealth.' He began to pull me towards his horse. 'Whilst under my care you will be afforded my protection and I will not allow you to be careless with your safety.'

I was left speechless when he suddenly took me by surprise dipping his tall frame to position his arm under my legs and lift me with ease into his arms. He carried me the rest of the way to his horse and just like Rosalind he sat me sideways upon the saddle and quickly mounted behind me. He picked up the reins and swept his hand around my waist to steady me upon it before moving off into the forest and instructing the others to follow.

I stiffly tried to maintain a distance between myself and his body despite my capture and mercifully he was to allow it. I turned to face him in the saddle.

'Am I to be given no choice in this matter? If my brother has done all that you say. Why am I and Rosalind to be held accountable for his crime?'

Lord Ramsay met my eyes with intense curiosity. I blushed. He gave me a mischievous smile of triumph at my reaction. It seemed he not only held my body captive but also my senses. I felt ashamed.

'I do not believe I have ever encountered a woman with spirit such as yourself. It is a shame that we have not met under better circumstances. I believe I should have liked you for my wife,' he told me with flippant amusement.

I narrowed my eyes with displeasure.

'Then it is a blessing we have not. I should not like you for a husband, sir.'

He laughed.

'I am sorry that I must cause you some discomfort but there is no other way.' He widened his eyes and sighed. 'Your brother does not respond very well to diplomacy. Only threats make him listen to sense. At least that is what I am told. Let us hope for your sake he does.'

'What do you intend to do with me if he does not bring your sister home?'

'Then, my fair, beautiful, Lady Dashwood . . . ,' he mocked. 'I will have to sell you as a bride. I am sure there will be many bidders for your hand. Or I will give your hand in marriage to that rake Lord Simon who so desperately wants you for a wife and your wealthy inheritance to manage.'

'No. I won't allow it,' I shouted angrily.

'You will not have a say in the matter,' he laughed. 'Lord Simon is a brute of a man and you have done your best to avoid his proposal for marriage yet it would vex your brother if you married for he would no longer be able to find a way to take your inheritance for himself. Lord Simon was tired of waiting for you to accept his proposal. He has been planning to kidnap you and force you into marriage. He will be mad that I beat him to the task.'

My temper flowed freely. I wanted to jump from the horse. I could not bear to sit in Lord Ramsay's arms any longer and listen to his gleeful conversation. I felt foolish and began struggling from his grip but he was to pull me tightly to him. I was forced to halt my movement. I sat breathless in his arms.

'Remember what I said about the forest, Lady Dashwood. I would not want anything to happen to you, after all you must be safe in one piece for your brother or he is unlikely to return my sister.'

'You are not a gentleman, sir. You are cruel to involve me in your argument with Harry.'

'But I believe you are involved, Lady Dashwood. You must have known of your brother and his gambling and his courting of my sister. I am told you are close and share everything.'

'You are misinformed. I knew nothing. Harry no longer talks to me. I rarely see him . . .'

'I wish I could believe you, Lady Dashwood, but it is not what I am told. You have had many meetings lately.'

'Only because I have required his assistance in rejecting Lord Simon's persistent and offensive advances. I would not allow my brother to commit such a crime against your sister. It is not only your family that is to be shamed. Let me speak to him and resolve the matter to your convenience.'

'No. You will remain my prisoner,' Lord Ramsay insisted tightening his grip upon me once more so that I was forced to lean against his chest. 'Now hush, we have a long journey a head of us.'