Her husband might be an extremely skilled agent, but Mary had years of practice at being patient. Finally, Gilbert gave up his attempts to eavesdrop and moved along.
Raising a hand to her chest, she ran a finger over the outline of the coin. “I’ve been informed that I have an object in my possession that rightfully belongs to an individual who bears a particular mark. Would you happen to know who that might be?”
The devilishly handsome dimple appeared on Lord Hadfield cheek. “A mark, you say.”
Unperturbed by the man’s dimple, Mary said, “Yes. Not the type that one might find on a baby at birth, one that is intentionally placed upon a person’s body with heat or ink.”
“And what makes you suspect I would know this individual?”
The teasing tone of Lord Hadfield’s question brought her ire up. He wasn’t taking her seriously.
Narrowing her gaze, Mary said, “Theo stated you would assist me if I asked. I’m asking if you can help me locate this person.” The hair on the back of Mary’s neck began to stand on end.
“Why did you not seek your husband’s assistance?” His tone no longer teasing. Lord Hadfield’s hazel eyes never left hers.
Flustered at the intensity of his stare, she said, “Really, I don’t have time to explain. I was told it extremely important that I find a— well, a PORF.”
“Why?”
Lord Hadfield hadn’t blinked at her use of the term PORF. He must be well versed with the legends as they were.
The magnitude of what she was about to share weighed on her shoulders. “Because I have in my possession the treasure that Lord Burke was truly after. But I suspect you already know what the villain was after.” A tingle ran down Mary’s spine. Ignoring the sensation, she continued, “That is why you let Matthew take the crown jewels back to England while you did not return. You were still searching for—.”
She paused at Lady Frances’s frantic warning. Alert Hadfield! You are being followed.
Mary whispered, “There are others behind us.”
“Yes, I heard them too. Act normally, as if we haven’t detected them. Let’s try to catch up to your husband.”
Gilbert was a furlong away, not too far ahead. It was unlikely they would be able to outrun whoever was following them.
Phillip’s voice urged, Shift to the right.
Pulling on the reins, Mary guided her mount closer to Hadfield on her right, causing his horse to startle.
Hadfield glared at her. “What the devil—”
An explosion sounded behind her. The air swooshed by her right ear.
From her right, Hadfield yelled, “Hell and Tarnation!”
Horses whinnied and the group scattered.
Mary took her eyes off the road to find Hadfield struggling with a bandit.
Why hadn’t Phillip warned her? Not enough time to change the outcome.
The reins were yanked from her grasp. “Ow.”
A meaty arm wrapped about her waist.
She struggled to remain seated, but the smelly brute hauled her down to the ground. Mary stumbled, falling to her knees. Scrambling to escape, her attacker grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her along with her mare toward a small clearing.
Mary cringed at the sight of three burly men with pistols. Gilbert and André were kneeling, their hands bound behind their backs. Blood trickled from the corner of Gilbert’s mouth. Her chest constricted. She wanted to shout out to him.
Tugged away from the men, her attacker dragged her over toward the tree line.
Mary swiveled to glance at her husband.
Gilbert began to struggle. She shook her head but not in time—the shortest thug’s fist connected with Gilbert’s jaw. Losing his balance, Gilbert fell to his side.
Thwack! The tormentor’s boot connected with Gilbert’s ribs.
“Gilbert!” Mary’s eyes teared at the sight of blood on the ground.
Filthy fingers dug into her arm. Her captor stared at her and said, “We were not expecting a lady to be traveling with this lot. We mean no harm.”
Mary scowled at the offensive Englishman.
A lump settled in her throat. The bandit scanned her from head to toe. “Our master has sent us to retrieve an item; once we have it in our possession, you will all be free to go. Do you promise not to cause any problems?”
Fingers crossed behind her back, she answered, “Yes. My husband will be less an issue if you allow me to join him.”
“Aye. But if I suspect you interfering, I will gag and bind you without hesitation.”
Mary nodded, and her captor led her over to the group that now included Lord Hadfield.
Lady Frances confirmed what Mary suspected. Be very careful. You have in your possession what they seek.
Even tied up, Gilbert would not allow these men to harm her. The trick would be to ensure they had no cause to think to search her.
The brute left her next to Gilbert and said, “I’m seeking the gentleman who is marked.” Their captor’s gaze raked over Lord Hadfield and then André. Neither gentleman moved nor blinked.
“Lord Waterford, who shall I strip first?”
Mary gasped. “You know him?”
“He was a fellow officer who moved up through the ranks during the war. Mr. Thames, I believe.”
“Well done, Waterford. What an excellent memory. Won’t you assist me? We will release you and your lovely wife once we have what I’ve been sent to collect.”
Gilbert answered, “Neither of them is marked. PORFs are but an old fairy tale.”
Mary glanced at Gilbert. No one over the age of twelve openly discussed the term used to describe the Crown’s protectors. Before this morn, Mary would have agreed with her husband’s statement. She had heard the villagers and even Thomas tell tales of the Protectors of the Royal Family as a child, but without real evidence of their existence, she had dispelled the stories as pure folk tales. Not until Phillip had instructed her to retrieve the item from André and seek Lord Hadfield’s assistance in locating a PORF did she believe they were indeed real.
Mr. Thames stuck a finger in Lord Hadfield’s chest. “What’s this fellow’s name then?”
“He is the new Earl of Hadfield. Sorry to disappoint, old man. Rumor has it that he inherited the title but not what you seek.”
Mary wracked her memory for details regarding PORFs, but she didn’t recall much.
Mr. Thames smirked. “Ah— but your information is out of date, Waterford. You were always a little slow to acknowledge what was right before you.”
Gilbert asked, “What are you rambling on about now?”
“You are an extremely trusting fellow, Waterford. Do you still believe Devonton was the one responsible for the map that led you and your troops into direct enemy territory?” Mr. Thames chuckled. “I see you do. Let me tell you rumors and information from supposed reliable sources are not always accurate. Those maps that were provided to you were, in fact, not the work of the revered Lord Devonton.” Mr. Thames walked over to André and placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “It was the work of our dear French friend here and his papa, Comte Boucher.”
Gilbert shook his head. “Comte Boucher provided sanctuary to our troops. He is an ally.”
“You are a fool, Waterford. For years the comte has been working both sides. He remains loyal to no one but himself, providing aid to the party that bids the highest.”
Gilbert’s face was awash in anger and confusion. This was the reason Gilbert had treated Lord Devonton with such distaste since his return.
Gilbert’s eyes continued to follow Mister Thames as the man walked back to stand before him. Eye to eye with Mr. Thames, Gilbert asked, “And you have also adopted such a philosophy on how to lead one’s life?”
“It has worked remarkably well for Comte Boucher. There was nothing for us when we returned home. Honest work is scarce, and after having sacrificed years, I wasn’t even awarded enough for lodgings. So one must become resourceful.” Mr. Thames took out a pointed blade and scraped it down Lord Hadfield’s greatcoat, toying with the buttons.
Gilbert said, “I assure you, he’s not the one you are searching for. You mustn’t be paying your informants enough, for they have led you on a wild-goose chase for Hadfield.”
“Hmmm—” Mr. Thames swiveled, glanced about the group. “I will grant you that our intelligence was fairly inaccurate. There had been no mention of a woman nor of Boucher’s son.”
“Thames. Do you really believe in the stories of PORFs? I’d not taken you for a fool.”
“I’ve never believed in children’s stories, but if it pays our way for the next six months, I’m willing to indulge my employer and search for the ridiculous brand that he believes Hadfield here is searching for.” The tip of Mr. Thames blade disappeared, sinking into the material of Lord Hadfield’s coat. “Or perhaps he has yet to locate it.” Removing the blade, Mr. Thames moved to stand before Gilbert. “No, we were told Hadfield would not make arrangements to return to England unless he had the item in his possession.”
Gilbert didn’t even flinch as Mr. Thames waved the blade about in front of his face. How could he be so calm? Every time the blade came near Gilbert’s face Mary wanted to attack the odious man tormenting her husband.
Gilbert remained stoic, spine rigid and his neck elongated to give him as much height as possible. “I’ve been in Hadfield’s presence for months. The treasure we found was returned with Harrington. That is whom you should be hunting down.”
Lord Hadfield’s features darkened as Gilbert spoke.
Mr. Thames looked at his men and then back at Gilbert. “You found Harrington alive?”
“Barely, but he was breathing. He has returned along with what you are searching for. Now, if you would be so kind as to untie us and let us be on our way, we will keep this little interlude private, shall we?”
Unconvinced, Mr. Thames returned to Lord Hadfield’s side and began to pat him down and search his pockets. Finding nothing, he moved on to repeat the same search on André. The man growled as André’s pockets were found empty. Mr. Thames looked at Mary then at Gilbert, whose features clearly stated he’d kill the man if he dared touch her.
Shaking his head, Mr. Thames asked, “Lady Waterford, what do you know of the children’s tale?”
“All I recall is that the horrid term stands for Protectors of the Royal Family. It is as you said, a tale for young minds.”
Mr. Thames stalked toward her. “Hmm— Do you not believe in the secret society led by three powerful families? Supposedly there are legions of families pledging their oaths to serve these PORFs.”
All three men shifted, arms flexing, as they tugged on their restraints. Men of little faith.
With the sweetest smile she could muster, Mary said, “Mr. Thames, did you not just enlighten my husband as to the foolishness of believing in rumors and gossip? I no more believe in PORFs than I do in spirits.”
Gilbert’s shoulders relaxed. He gave her an encouraging smile and then winked. Her heart soared. Gilbert believed in her.
Mr. Thames let out a hearty laugh. “You are correct, my lady.” He turned to face Gilbert, “You are a lucky man to have married such a beauty but extremely fortunate she also has wit.”
Mr. Thames made a circling motion to his men. “Let’s be off. Lady Waterford can do the honors of releasing her traveling companions.” He bowed and said, “My thanks for the horseflesh, they will fetch me enough coin to cover the expense of this wild-goose chase.”
Mary faked despair. “You can’t be serious. How are we to continue?”
“Ah, so the duke’s daughter does have a petulant side after all.”
To prove him correct, she crossed her arms and pouted. Mr. Thames gawked at her décolletage.
The man’s eyes slowly rose to her protruding bottom lip. “Shame there isn’t more time. You are a tempting morsel.”
Gilbert growled. “Harm her, and you die.”
“No fear. I’m not about to dally about any longer than necessary.” He took the reins of his mount from one of his men and mounted. “Home, gents. We are to off to find Harrington and the loot.”