Chapter Twelve

Henry

Henry soon caught up with the others and galloped alongside Carter at the front of the group of men.

"Thank God you found me," Henry said. "How did you know I would be at the Cottage Crescent?"

"'Twas a lucky break," Carter said. "Thanks for sending your friend George. When he reached me at Beechen Cliff, I was already much recovered and about to make my way into Bath to get reinforcements. We travelled into the city together on foot– running as much as we could."

Carter probably ran all the way– despite his sore head– for he was fighting fit and as brave and determined as any man Henry had ever encountered. George would doubtless have had to exert himself severely to keep up with Henry's manservant– no, to keep up with his uncle!

"Everyone was generous with their time and horses," Carter continued, "Mr. Honeyfield and Lord Templeton insisted on joining our army. Brave men, for despite their age, they are as determined to help Kitty as we are."

Henry gave thanks to the Almighty for Carter!

"And as for how we knew about the Cottage Crescent, well, we were lucky," said Carter. "One of the men we talked to had information. He knew Lord Steyne owned a house there."

"How did he know that?" Henry asked.

"He was embarrassed to say at first," Carter said, "but when he understood the gravity of the situation and that it was imperative we must learn all we could about Lord Steyne, he began to be more forthcoming. Said he had actually visited the house once– attended one of Lord Steyne's all-night gambling parties there."

"I have heard about those," Henry said. "I never received an invitation, though, or knew where they were."

"Just as well," Carter said, "for Lord Steyne fleeced all the young men who went there. He plied them with drink and then played them at cards– must have been like stealing from infants."

"We know he cheats at cards," Henry said.

"Definitely," Carter said, "but such behaviour is always notoriously difficult to prove. Anyway, once the young man had been there, he never wanted to go back. What he saw that night truly appalled him. The way women were treated, how much blunt he lost at the cards..."

"I know someone who can help us expose the cheating," Henry said. "My friend George– with us today– has been a victim of Lord Steyne's."

"Tell me more!"

"George was always the best of us at cards in my set– he has a real skill. He says he can prove Lord Steyne cheats, if he has the possibility of another game with him. He will need back up, as things could turn nasty– and dangerous."

"It will be my pleasure to arrange such an opportunity," Carter said.

"And we need to find Mrs. Honeyfield, too," Henry said. "She needs releasing from Doctor Voss's asylum."

"Indeed," Carter said. "It must be done swiftly, after we release Kitty."

How wonderful that Carter said after we release Kitty, not if.

Although I know in my heart that it is by no means certain that we will succeed in this task.

"I am overwhelmed," Henry said, "by the great kindness of all the people here."

He turned his head behind him and scrutinized the faces of the men following– merciful heavens! The men in the pack behind him included friends from childhood and from his university days– and there was a substantial number of his army friends too, as many of them had been granted leave and were visiting Bath for the season.

Henry had never felt such camaraderie in his life! Several of the men smiled broadly– one gave him a thumbs up sign, another waved... of course! They were expressing their great joy that he was alive! There would be such a lot of catching up to do after this adventure.

Henry's heart was beating fast, keeping pace with the rhythm of the horses' hooves. Passers-by stared at the strange assembly in amazement, for it was not usual to see a large group of men travelling at such speed.

"We will have to stop at some point," George said, coming up alongside Carter and Henry. "The horses need a drink– and it might be better if we changed horses too, for Trigger in particular is exhausted."

"There is no time to change horses," Carter said. "We need to ride flat out to Brislington. But we will stop for water soon, I promise."

George pulled back to join the other men behind, and Henry and Carter continued to lead the motley army. On and on they went, under a darkling sky. There was a storm brewing, for sure. Hopefully this would not make their task more difficult– but who knew? Weather was important in a battle but did not always have the impact expected.

The official version of the Duke of Wellington's defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo was that Wellington was a superior strategist– and the English soldiers and their allies were more skilled and infinitely braver. However, Henry had heard other theories too, from many experienced soldiers. The weather at the battle had been very unusual for summer– cold, driving rain– and some whispered that these inclement conditions had hampered communications for Napoleon in particular so severely that the weather was a real factor in his defeat.

'Twas strange what you thought about when you were hellbent in pursuit of a fiend like Lord Steyne! And there was yet another matter that demanded Henry's attention.

"When this is all over," Henry said to Carter, "you will need to explain a certain matter."

"What matter?"

"'Tis no good trying to play games. You know what you said to me at Beechen Cliff– that you are my uncle. You have at last revealed your secret."

Carter flashed a grin. "I thought it was about time you knew. Naturally I intend to discuss the matter with you again when I can, but this cannot be before I have talked to Lady Templeton."

"I understand," Henry said.

And perhaps Lord Templeton, who was at that very moment riding behind Carter, might need to be consulted. Did he know that Carter was his wife's half-brother? Henry bit his lip. There was something he had said once– what was it? Oh yes, when they had been in the parlour at the Royal Crescent and Carter had stood at the side of the room, Lady Templeton had urged him to sit down. Carter had insisted on going down to the kitchen instead, and once he had left the room, Lord Templeton had said,

"He's a treasured servant and saved the life of our dear son, but he isn't part of our family– and never will be."

Lord Templeton must know then, that Carter was part of the family. But why would he not want to acknowledge him? Why would he say he wasn't part of the family? Ah! It would make sense if Carter was not of legitimate descent. Yes! Of course! That must be the reason he was not able to be formally introduced as Henry's uncle. And had not Henry's mother once alluded to a baby born out of wedlock, many years ago now? There must be a sad story behind all this– and Henry would make it his business to find out what it was and, if possible, give Carter the family acceptance he so richly deserved.

For if it had not been for Carter, Henry would have perished during the terrible events of last summer– and if it had not been for Carter, 'twas doubtful whether this band of men would have been racing to stop the forced marriage between Kitty and Lord Steyne. The Templetons and Honeyfields owed Carter an enormous debt. There must be a real effort made to repay it.

And what had Lord and Lady Templeton thought when Carter followed Henry to war but did not return? Why, they must have thought Carter had also perished... or had Carter not told them where he was going, but had perhaps concocted some tale about having to be away for some time travelling on personal business?

"You're thinking too much," Carter said. "Concentrate on the task in hand!"

"I will try," Henry said. "And we need to work out some sort of plan for when we get to the church in Brislington."

George came up alongside Henry and Carter again. "The horses need water."

Carter nodded his assent, and within minutes they stopped at a cottage by the side of the road to ask for help. A strong country woman brought out bucket after bucket of water– and was then presented with a good deal of money from Lord Templeton and effusive praise from Mr. Honeyfield and Henry.

"I tell you what," Lord Templeton said to the assembled men, "it might be better if those of us more advanced years– by which I mean Mr. Honeyfield and myself– might let you young men gallop on ahead. I am willing to swap my horse with one of you young blades if it would help. He's a fine stallion, and it takes a lot to tire him out."

"Very kind," Carter said. "Henry, you should allow Trigger to have a break, for I know George has been worried about his pride and joy."

George nodded. "Thank you."

"That's settled then," Lord Templeton said. "I will swap my horse for Trigger, and Mr. Honeyfield and myself will follow on, but at a more leisurely pace. The last thing we want to do is slow you down."

This seemed a good plan, for Mr. Honeyfield was looking gray and drawn, clearly suffering from lack of sleep and extreme anxiety. Lord Templeton was sweating profusely, mopping his face with his handkerchief and breathing a little more heavily than usual. Thank the Lord the rest of the crew were younger– many of them had army training– and the horses in the main were fine and strong, in peak condition.

"Have you seen anyone of significance today on this road?" Carter asked the woman who had brought out the buckets of water for the horses. "A fine large carriage with four horses?"

"I ain't seen nothing," the woman said, "for I'm no busybody. Got my work to do– no time to spy on the road."

"Not a question of being a busybody or spy, madam," Lord Templeton. "There is a young woman who has been abducted,"– he glanced at the coin purse still in his hand– "and we would all be immensely grateful for any information."

"Well, why didn't you say straight away?" the woman said. "A young woman being abducted– that ain't right. As it happens, I was upstairs doing some household chores earlier– have to keep my own house tidy before I go to clean up at the hospital nearby– and saw out of the window a carriage with an S on the side."

Henry gasped. Lord Steyne's carriage!

"What else did you see?" Lord Templeton asked.

"Was it travelling fast?" Carter said.

"Going like the clappers it was. I remember thinking they must be in a tearing hurry."

"Could you see inside the coach?" Henry asked.

"'Twas too fast to see much, but there was a lady in there, dressed in white and yellow with a bonnet. And two other people."

"We need to go," Carter said. "Quickly!"

Henry took Lord Templeton's stallion, and the younger men in the party set off in the direction of Brislington.

"We will not be far behind," Lord Templeton shouted after them. "Although I might take a small detour, as I have a hunch..."

It was good to have had it confirmed that Lord Steyne had indeed passed by– but it made the whole situation more real and raw. Henry urged Lord Templeton's stallion on. Faster! They must go faster!

Kitty, my darling! I am on my way... how I wish these words could fly to you and bring you comfort.

*

Kitty

I must be going mad! For I think I can hear H's voice saying he is on his way. But 'tis only the wind– and my imagination. There is no one near us, and the carriage is slowing down.

"Look lively, girl," Lord Steyne said. "Get out of the carriage! We are here now. St. Luke's, Brislington. Your wedding venue, my dear Miss Honeyfield."

Miss Steele held Kitty's elbow tightly as she descended, and then the driver immediately grabbed her firmly by her other arm. There was to be no escape– at least for now.

The chill wind blew through Kitty's fine muslin dress, and dismal raindrops fell on her bonnet, but she did not care. There was no physical discomfort she would not put up with in order to save her mama. And there was still the hope that Henry would reach her in time, was there not?

"Ah, vicar," Lord Steyne said. "There you are!"

An obsequious robed individual bowed deeply to Lord Steyne.

"This way, if you please, Lord Steyne– and I see this is the blushing bride."

Blushing bride? Victim of a forced marriage, more like! And did the vicar not think it bizarre that the bridegroom had arrived with the bride? The vicar looked depressingly weak– and foolish. Kitty scrutinized the clergyman from underneath her lashes. Sadly, on close inspection, her impression of him was confirmed. He did not look like the sort of person who would care much whether the correct wedding protocol was observed, but seemed totally in thrall to Lord Steyne, bowing and scraping in the most loathsome fashion. How disappointing it was when a man of the cloth was found to be so lacking in human decency and fellow feeling.

The unusual wedding party walked across the wet grass and moss-covered flagstones to the church door. Could Kitty make a run for it? Twist out of Lord Steyne's grip and sprint away through the graveyard? But how far did she think she would get before the driver caught her? And, more to the point, what would be her mama's fate if she refused to enter the church? No, the only option was to keep marching on. And pray for victory.

Once inside the church, there was a small group of people in the front pew on the left– they stood and bowed to Lord Steyne. These must be the parish clerk and the two obligatory witnesses, no doubt all paid handsomely for their services that day.

Lord Steyne walked down the aisle while exchanging words with the vicar, and Kitty was left with Miss Steele and the driver near the baptismal font.

Inside, St. Luke's was of a traditional design, with arches supporting the barrel-shaped roof over the nave. Kitty fixed her eyes on the bright jewel colours in the stained glass windows above the altar. What she wouldn't give to be up there looking down on the scene, instead of living this nightmare.

The rain lashed down outside with an insistent drumbeat, ta dum, ta dum, ta dum.

"Like a march to the scaffold," Kitty muttered.

"What was that?" Miss Steele said.

"Nothing!"

"Lord, you are not going to be difficult, are you? I thought we had got all that out of the way. You should know what a lucky young woman you are to be marrying Lord Steyne. Once the ceremony is over, you will not have to worry about money for the rest of your life."

Kitty's eyes flashed with anger. "You know full well why I am agreeing to this travesty of a marriage. I am a hostage for my mother– I am giving my body in exchange for Mama's return to normal life. Is it likely I would betray my own mother?"

"No," Miss Steele said, "for I know how much you love your mama."

"You know? What can you know of love or feelings, you contemptible creature! You have betrayed me and my parents."

Miss Steele flushed beetroot. Could this be shame? Embarrassment? Was it possible Miss Steele was repenting of her part in this sham?

Miss Steele linked her arm firmly through Kitty's. "'Tis too late for regrets," she said. "We must proceed as arranged."

"I will be outside," the driver said. "I need to look at the horses– but don't worry. No one will enter– or leave– without my say so."

"Ready," Lord Steyne called from the top of the aisle. "Proceed!

This was a world away from the idyllic wedding day bursting with love, family, and friends that Kitty had often dreamt of. Where was the romance? The music, happiness, flowers, and bridesmaids? Kitty had always wanted Selina to be her chief bridesmaid.

Oh, where was H?

Hurry my love! There is still time. Are you on your way?

Kitty bit her lip to stop the tears falling as Miss Steele more or less dragged her up the aisle and pushed her towards Lord Steyne before flopping down in the nearest pew.

"Dearly beloved," the vicar intoned.

Beloved? There were only a few people in the whole world Kitty would address as beloved– and none of them were in that church.

"We are gathered here together in the sight of God..."

God! Where are you? How can you allow this to be happening to me?

". . . to join together this man and this woman . . ."

Bile rose from Kitty's stomach at the thought of being joined in a physical way to the monster beside her. How would she be able to bear it? But she would have to, if her mama was going to be saved.

". . . an honorable estate . . ."

And now Kitty felt like laughing hysterically.

Where was the honor in what was happening? What a mockery! The giggles rising up from deep inside Kitty threatened to overwhelm her at the thought of the two different uses of the word "estate."

"Are you quite well, Miss Honeyfield?" the vicar inquired.

"Perfectly," Kitty said. "It's just the thought of the ‘honorable estate' and Lord Steyne's ‘estate'– which Miss Steele thinks it would be an honor to be mistress of. Two kinds of estate– quite different things. Ah! The absurdity! Oh, never mind. You must excuse me."

Kitty bent doubled with the effort of suppressing her unaccountable giggles and started to wheeze. "Cannot... help it..."

"Do you wish me to proceed?" the vicar asked Lord Steyne.

"Of course, man!" he said. "'Tis merely a young woman's hysteria as she contemplates the joy of her wedding day. Such innocent na?veté! Quite charming. We all know what the female of the species is like– they have a very poor grip on their emotions."

But at least the female of the species has emotions– which you do not! How I hate you, Lord Steyne!

Lord Steyne gripped Kitty's shoulder and hissed in her ear, "This had better not be one of your tricks, missy. Pull yourself together! Think of your mother– that bitch– as I have had to think of her all these years married to your father."

"Trying to . . ."

Kitty's giggles turned into hiccups. Then the giggles transformed from hiccups to a coughing fit, until at last the dam burst and she sobbed piteously, tears streaming down her face.

Kitty wiped her face with the back of her hands until Miss Steele passed her a handkerchief. After a few seconds, Kitty turned to face the vicar. "I am ready. You may proceed."

"I cannot," the vicar said. "I have grave doubts about the wisdom of this match. I cannot believe it would be right to proceed."

Could this be happening? The vicar must have a conscience after all.

The vicar slammed his prayer book shut, whereupon Lord Steyne leant forward and growled something unintelligible in his ear. The vicar frowned– then nodded and opened the book again– and continued the service in a more subdued voice.

"...therefore is not by any to be enterprised... unadvisedly, lightly or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding..."

What had Lord Steyne said to intimidate the priest? And was no one listening to the words of the service? What a travesty! Lord Steyne was nothing but a brute beast. He considered that his carnal lusts and appetites must be satisfied at all times without any regard to the effect this might have on others.

But why was Lord Steyne so determined to proceed with this marriage? What was it he had just said to Kitty? In between her hysterical giggles and before she moved on to the embarrassing hiccups, coughing fit, and hot, shameful tears? "Think of your mother– that bitch– as I have had to think of her all these years married to your father."

There was a clue there. Lord Steyne had called her mama– her darling mama!– a bitch. He must hate her. But how long had he known her? And why did he hate her?

Kitty must think– and quickly! What had Lord Steyne done?

Well, he had encouraged Mr. Honeyfield to gamble. And to make sure Mr. Honeyfield lost heavily and frequently, Lord Steyne had probably cheated in every card game with him until the Honeyfield fortune dwindled alarmingly.

Lord Steyne was therefore responsible for all the measures Mr. Honeyfield had to take to save money– including having to curtail Doctor Jenkins's visits, even though Kitty's mama was in desperate need of proper medical attention.

Then Lord Steyne decided he would take Kitty from her parents, which would be easier now because Mr. Honeyfield needed Kitty to marry someone rich. Mrs. Honeyfield's nerves were in tatters after witnessing her husband on a downward spiral, thus she was less likely to have any real influence over her husband– and Kitty's marriage prospects.

And Lord Steyne had tried to make an end to Henry's life after stumbling across him on the battlefield– because Henry stood in the way of Lord Steyne's desire to marry Kitty.

Kitty had no doubt Lord Steyne intended to treat her as shamefully as he had treated his first wife, whose life had apparently been a misery after her marriage.

But why did Lord Steyne hate Kitty's mama? And why would he want to destroy the happiness of the entire Honeyfield family?

Mama has never said she knew Lord Steyne before he took an interest in me. This is in truth a complex mystery, and I am nearly out of time. God help me!

"...therefore, if any man can show any just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let him now speak..."

*

Henry

The pounding of horses' hooves was followed by a shout of protest from the driver, then the ancient oak door of St. Luke's was flung open, and Henry, Carter, and all the rest of the men ran down the aisle.

"...or else hereafter forever hold his peace," the vicar said.

"Stop!" Henry shouted. "The marriage cannot go ahead! Miss Honeyfield is being forced to marry this swine against her will."

Carter grabbed Lord Steyne by the arms and pulled him to the side with a great roar of righteous anger. "Monster! Your vile plot has been foiled."

Henry and Kitty flew into each others' arms for a tender embrace.

"My darling!" Henry whispered. "Thank goodness we arrived in time. I dread to think..."

"Oh, Henry!" Kitty said. "How I love you!"

"No time for all that," Carter said, holding back the struggling Lord Steyne.

"No need for it," Lord Steyne yelled, "for Miss Honeyfield has agreed to be my wife."

"Only because you put me in an impossible position," Kitty said. "Why, you not only abducted me, but also my mother."

"Mrs. Lydia Honeyfield will be returned when you are my bride." Lord Steyne leered, displaying yellow fangs.

"I do not suppose this marriage you have planned is even legal!" Henry pointed at the clergyman. "Are you a real vicar?"

"Of course I'm a real vicar!"

"And the marriage will be legal," Miss Steele said. "Lord Steyne obtained a special licence some time ago in readiness. There is nothing he would not do for Miss Honeyfield."

"Nothing except treat her with any decency and kindness," Carter said.

"I repeat, Miss Honeyfield has agreed to be my wife," Lord Steyne said. "She has to go through with it. Indeed, she has said she wants to go through with it, so that Mrs. Honeyfield may be cured and returned to her home."

"Why you are doing this?" Kitty said. "Release my mama from the asylum! You have no choice. Not now Henry is here."

"I will not release her!" Lord Steyne said. "Mrs. Honeyfield was taken to hospital by Doctor Voss because she was in severe need of medical attention. I have been kind enough to arrange this– and to pay for the treatment. She will stay there until she is better– and I have married you, Miss Honeyfield."

"There is more to this than meets the eye," Henry said.

"I agree." Kitty stood directly in front of Lord Steyne and glared at him. "What is it you have against my mother? Something from your past– I am sure of it."

Carter tightened his grip on Lord Steyne and hissed, "I am wondering if Mrs Honeyfield rejected you many years ago. Why else would you attempt to destroy the Honeyfields' happiness and that of those close to them? You have been motivated by revenge– and hatred."

"Not true!" Lord Steyne yelled. "I have been motivated by love. 'Twas not my fault that it did not work out in the way I had intended..."

"Love?" Kitty said. "You do not know the meaning of the word."

"Ah, but that is where you are wrong," Lord Steyne said. "I will explain. As a young man I saw your mother at a ball in London. She was the most beautiful lady there, and I instantly desired to possess her."

"How dare you disrespect the Honeyfield family," Carter shouted. "I've got a good mind to thrash you."

"No disrespect was intended," Lord Steyne said, "for when I said I wanted to possess her, I meant I wanted to make her Lady Steyne."

"Let the man finish his speech," Henry said. "We all need to remain calm, to get to the truth. Now, pray continue, Lord Steyne. What stopped you courting Mrs. Honeyfield in the proper manner?"

"Mr. Honeyfield sneaked in before me," Lord Steyne whined, "and convinced the beautiful Lydia– that's Mrs. Honeyfield to you!– that she was in love with him, and he with her. Then I heard they had married and moved to Bath."

"Wait!" Henry said. "Did Mrs. Honeyfield even know of your feelings for her?"

Lord Steyne hung his head. "No, she did not. I never even spoke to my Lydia– not once. I was young and shy, and missed my chance. She ruined my life– the bitch!"

By Jove! Lord Steyne was one hellishly disturbed individual. How preposterous to blame someone who never even knew him! And through countless years, his jealousy had festered and resulted in the total havoc of the last six months. A veritable Gordian knot!

"In case you are wondering," Lord Steyne said to Henry, "I did not actively seek you out on the battlefield. I was there with other members of the ton. "Twas quite an adventure to see the aftermath of a great battle, and I enjoyed it immensely!"

The man was revolting!

"Anyway, I could not believe my luck when I came across your corpse, or what I thought was your corpse. I was delighted to think that your life was extinct. There would be no rival for Kitty's affections now and I would be free to woo her and make her my wife. This would be the final piece of my plan to rip the heart out of the Honeyfield family."

Henry balled his fists but kept a grip on his emotions. He had seen too much violence at war to know it solved nothing. And he was not going to succumb to aggressive behaviour in peacetime, however tempted he felt.

But oh, the temptation I'm feeling to knock the man's teeth out right now in front of everyone! However, I will be civilized, for only then will this creature give us a truthful account of his misdeeds…

"Imagine my surprise," Lord Steyne said, "when I realized your life was hanging on by a thread– for I saw your eyelashes flutter and your wounded shoulder twitch. I did not reveal to my friends that I had noticed you were alive, nor that I had recognized you, but walked on further with them. After a while, I made an excuse to turn back, saying I had dropped a glove and would catch up with them later."

"Then you dragged me away by my feet," Henry said. "Why didn't you kill me straight away?"

"Because he's a coward!" Kitty said.

"I preferred the thought of a slow death," Lord Steyne said, "and decided to let nature take its course– with a helping hand."

Attempted murder! Lord Steyne had admitted it.

"You must tell them about us, Lord Steyne!" Miss Steele jumped up from the pew. "'Tis time."

"Time for what?" he said. "I will still marry Miss Honeyfield– for otherwise Mrs. Honeyfield will not be returning."

"That's enough!" the vicar said. "I've put up with as much as I can take from you, Lord Steyne. This is wrong. And evil. You have committed dreadful crimes– or tried to. I no longer care what you will do to me. I am leaving!"

The vicar tucked his service book under his arm and ran to the side of the altar, and then escaped out of the back of the church.

George started off in pursuit, but Carter said, "No, leave him be. There is no point in pursuit; he can cause no further harm."

Miss Steele approached Lord Steyne, hands clasped in front as if begging. "You still have me! And things will be better for us now."

"What do you mean?" Henry said.

"Lord Steyne said if I helped him marry Miss Kitty, he would take me as his mistress and set me up in the Cottage Crescent," Miss Steele said. "There, I would live like a lady. He said he loved me, not Miss Kitty, but the world would not understand, and so it would be better if he married her and took me as his mistress."

"You are deluded, madam," Lord Steyne said. "Did you seriously think I meant any of that?"

"I know you meant it!" Miss Steele cried. "I know you love me, and now that it looks as if your marriage to Miss Kitty will not go ahead, the way is clear for you to marry me."

"Love you? Marry you? Are you out of your mind? A lord does not marry the companion of Miss Kitty Honeyfield."

The blood slowly drained from Miss Steele's face, and she swayed to one side then gently crumpled to the floor.

"She has fainted!" Kitty said, rushing to her side. "Miss Steele!"

There was no end to Kitty's compassion. She could even feel sorry for the woman who had helped to abduct her. Kitty was an outstandingly Christian woman. Why, Henry almost felt sorry for Miss Steele himself. Almost.

Miss Steele lay on the ground now, sobbing.

"Snake! Traitor!" she whimpered. "And I didn't even like that vile over-sized brooch you gave me! Too, too hideous!"

Suddenly, Lord Steyne took the opportunity to wrestle free from Carter's grasp and made off down a side aisle.

"Quick," Carter said. "He mustn't get away– not until we have found out where Mrs. Honeyfield is being held."

"She is here!" Lord Templeton was standing in the doorway with Mr. Honeyfield beside him– and Mrs. Honeyfield.

Every head in the church swivelled round to gaze at the apparition and gasps of astonishment bounced off stone walls and pillars.

Uttering the foulest of curses, Lord Steyne slipped through the rear door before anyone could stop him. He was surprisingly nimble for a man of his age and size.

"Mama!" Kitty ran to her mother and embraced her. "We have all been out of our minds with worry!"

"But how?" Henry said. "How did you find out where the hospital was?"

"'Twas something the woman mentioned when we stopped earlier to let the horses drink," Lord Templeton said. "She said she would be going on later to work in the hospital. Once you and the others had set off again, I asked her which hospital it was. As I had suspected, it was the one run by Doctor Voss and– well, the rest you can guess."

"We were lucky," Mr. Honeyfield said, "for we did not have to travel far, and I am pleased to say that I found my dear wife in tolerable health. A little confused and anxious, admittedly, but nothing that a good rest and proper medical care will not be able to correct."

"Doctor Voss seemed reluctant to allow his patient to leave," Lord Templeton said, "but I managed to persuade him. In the end, he even lent us his coach and horses so that we could bring Mrs. Honeyfield here comfortably."

Henry grinned. "There is much more to this story than you are telling me. I shall enjoy hearing about it at a later date."

Then he turned and faced everyone. "But now, I would like it to be known that in the early hours of this morning, I asked dear Kitty to be my wife– and she accepted. And what is more, I think we should be married as soon as possible. What say you, Kitty? A Christmas wedding?"

I can scarce believe how things have turned out! Our enemies have been defeated– and now at last I can take my Kitty in my arms without wearing a silly disguise or skulking in the shadows.