The carriage lurched through a pothole, throwing Nicola across the seat and jarring her from her head down to her toes. She straighten herself, grimacing. It served her right,she thought, for not stopping for the night and hour ago ,but insisting on going on through the dark. Little as she like the thought of being at Tidings,she had wanted to get the journey over with, and they were only two hours from their destination.Impatience,she had been reminded often enough,was one of her besetting sins
At that moment a shot boomed out, perilously close to the carriage,and Nicola jumped,her heart beginning to race in her chest.
"Halt!" a voice cried, and the carriage lumberd to a stop.
"I wouldn't if I were you," a male voice drawled in an amused tone.His accent, curiously,was that of the upper class." You, dear friend, have only one blunderbuss, whereas we have six assorted firearms aimed at your heart."
Nicola realized,in some shock,that the carriage had been stopped by a highwayman, several of them,in fact, from what the man have said.
There follow a moment of silence, then the same man continued."Excellent decision.You are a wise man. Now I suggest you hand that gun to my man there,very slowly and of course the business end pointing up."
Carefully Nicola lifted the edge of the curtain covering the window closest to her and peered out. One of the men turned his head sharply at the sound,his eyes going straight to where Nicola sat. She dropped the curtain her heart pounding.
"Well,now,"the cultured voice said cheerfully." A curious passenger." A certain note of satisfaction entered his voice, and he continued. "Ah,the Earl's crest, I see. Can I have been fortunate to encountered the Earl of Extmoor himself? Step out, sir,if you please,so that we may see you better."
Drawing a calming breath, Nicola turned the handle of the door and open it.