Embrace The Dawn. Jackie Summers

strictures of Wycliffe Manor.

      Instead, she was holding on for dear life, plunging headlong into the unknown. What if soldiers stopped them and forced her to return to her uncle? Colonel Twining would make certain she was punished and she knew she’d lose her father.

      But if Jane Herrick was to be believed, each pounding hoofbeat brought her one step closer to her heartfelt dream. How she wanted to believe it, but her thoughts twisted in misgivings. Mrs. Jane Herrick, the fine Puritan woman Uncle George idolized, was nothing like he had imagined. Although the fact pleased her, it also provided a very dubious structure on which to build her hopes, Anne mused.

      Suddenly a golden halo of light appeared up the road. Wilkens reined back on his horse and trotted alongside Jane and the king. Uneasily they waited for the lone rider to arrive.

      “It’s Dr. Herrick,” cried Wilkens. Anne drew a sigh of relief as she peered out into the soft glow of the lantern the doctor held above his face.

      “Roundheads,” he warned, drawing rein. “A full squad riding off the middle road and they’re coming straight on us!”

      “We can’t hide the horses,” Jane said, twisting around in the saddle. “The trees aren’t thick enough along this stretch.”

      “Aye,” the king agreed. “It’s too late for that.” He pulled his wide-brimmed hat low over his face. “We’ll talk our way out of this.” Anne thought she heard him chuckle. “If our tongues fail us, we’ll give them a taste of our metal.”

      Anne spied a small group of bushes a few rods from the road. “No, wait!” Anne cried. Four surprised faces turned her way. “If soldiers are riding from the middle road, they’ve been sent by my uncle. They’re searching for me.”

      “She’s right.” Wilkens interrupted, shifting uneasily in the saddle. “The middle road cuts north through Wycliffe Manor.”

      “I’ll hide in that copse over there.” She started to slide down from the pillion.

      “Oh, no you don’t!” Wilkens reached out and caught her wrist. “We’re on to yer tricks. You’ll run out when the soldiers git ‘ere and tell ‘em ‘bout the king.”

      “Release her, Wilkens,” Jane ordered. “I’m sure Anne realizes if the soldiers take her back to her uncle, she’ll never see her father again.”

      Wilkens grumbled but withdrew his hold.

      Jane rode her horse beside Anne. “My dear, I give you my word, if you remain hidden and do nothing to give yourself away, I’ll help you find your father. I have powerful friends who know the whereabouts of wounded and captured Royalists.” Beneath Jane’s black hood, Anne saw her wide eyes glitter with trust and assurance.

      Anne desperately wanted to believe. “You can trust me, Mrs. Herrick.”

      Jane smiled. “I know I can, my dear. Remember, whatever happens, stay hidden in the bushes.” She paused and her expression grew serious. “Don’t be frightened, just think of your father.”

      Anne forced a brave smile, then hiked up the loose trousers and scooted across the deep rutted road. She tripped, but righted herself before splashing into a muddy puddle. When she finally reached the tall bramble of wild plums, she crawled inside the cover of low branches. A limb poked her head, pushing her woolen knit cap off. She grabbed the hat and stuffed her thick, unbound curls beneath the coarse band.

      The sound of cantering hooves grew louder and six Roundhead soldiers, riding single file, came into view. Their armor clanked noisily as they approached.

      A cool breeze lifted the loose tendrils of Anne’s hair, and she shivered. Parting the branches, she held her breath and peered through the quivering leaves.

      The first soldier trotted his horse beside Dr. Herrick’s mount and raised the lantern. Before he had a chance to speak, Jane’s dulcet voice carried on the night air.

      “My prayers have been answered.” She fluttered her hands and smiled becomingly at the soldier. “When we heard horses, we feared you were that highwayman my godfather, Master Lowell, warned us about.”

      Anne watched the soldier as he sat a little straighter on his mount. “I’m Sergeant Stone, at yer service, milady.” He touched his helmet in the customary salute. “‘Ave no fear of the Black Fox and ‘is kind. ‘E won’t dare come near these shires, milady.” He chuckled to his men. “Not with Colonel Twining’s troopers garrisoned nearby at Wycliffe Manor. Aye, men?”

      The soldiers cheered in unison. They were as pompous as their leader, Anne thought.

      “George Lowell’s niece is missin’. My orders are to bring all riders in the area back to the manor for questionin’.” The stocky soldier held the lantern higher. “May I see yer travelin’ passes?”

      Anne’s heart raced as she watched in trepidation while Dr. Herrick rode forward and handed the soldier the folded parchments. The trooper eyed him a moment, then examined the passes before returning them. “What brings ye to travel these roads so late, Doctor?”

      “My wife’s mother has been taken ill. We’re on our way to be with her at her estate, Rosemoor.”

      Jane’s face brightened in the sputtering light. “We’ve just come from Wycliffe Manor. I was visiting with my godfather.” She pulled out several folded documents from her saddlebag and handed them to the sergeant. “These passes are for our servants.”

      The soldier inspected the parchments carefully before returning them.

      “We’re free to move on?” Doc asked hopefully.

      “Aye. Yer free to go as soon as ye return with me to Wycliffe Manor for Colonel Twining’s interrogation,” he answered firmly. He waved his troops forward into escort position.

      “But, Sergeant!” Jane fluttered a handkerchief in a demure gesture. “I—I’d never ask a soldier of Oliver Cromwell’s to betray his duty...” Her voice trailed off while she batted her eyelids. “B-but my late father, a member of Parliament, was a close friend of Oliver Cromwell. Why, Uncle Oliver, as he insisted I call him, bounced me on his knee when I was a child.” She laughed lightly, pausing, as though waiting for the effect of her words to settle.

      In the lantern light, Anne saw the soldier’s brow furrow in thought. Anne watched in amazement. How can Jane be so serene and collected when her own heart thundered?

      Jane brushed a gloved hand along the soldier’s forearm. “I’m sure Colonel Twining would understand if you could see beyond the usual enforcement of your office and oblige my sick mother this one small request.” Her voice faltered and she lowered her gaze. “You see, if my husband and I don’t hasten to her sickbed, she may...” Her voice faded as she bowed her head dramatically.

      The sergeant scratched his neck, then turned toward the other troopers, as though hoping for an answer to his dilemma.

      Anne watched, her apprehension growing by the minute. Unconsciously her fingers tightened into knots.

      Finally, the sergeant’s gaze fixed back to Jane. “Mrs. ‘errick, under the circumstances, I’m certain Lieutenant General Cromwell, ‘isself, would insist ye speed to yer mum’s bedside without delay.”

      Anne saw Jane’s shoulders relax and heard Jane’s audible sigh. “You’re a credit to your country, Sergeant Stone. When next I see Uncle Oliver, I’ll remember your kindness to him.”

      “Thank ye, Mrs. ‘errick,” he said, touching his helmet. “It’ll be me pleasure to escort ye to Rosemoor, meself.”

      “But—” Jane’s eyes widened in the lantern’s brightness. “That’s—that’s not necessary. We don’t—”

      “Aye, I’m sure Lieutenant General Cromwell would insist.” Sergeant Stone turned to his men. “Attention!” he shouted. His spurs jingled as his horse bolted forward. “Flank position!”