Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Arabella felt her stomach twist into a mass of knots as she processed what Robert was telling them about the men at the Beehive Tavern. Christopher was here now and planning to kidnap her child.

As they approached the lake, their pace quickened as they heard shouting in the distance down by the lakeshore.

Arabella pointed out a chaise standing waiting high on the road above. "I suspect I know who is in that carriage," she said, breathless, as she pushed her body forward towards the lake.

As they ran down the path, she ignored the stitch in her side and kept going until they emerged into utter chaos.

Freddy was caught around the scruff of the neck by a burly man, but he was kicking the man with a determination to get free.

Emma was bashing at another man with a wicker picnic basket and fishing rod. Arabella stared as Emma pushed him into the lake, and he began to splash about in the water.

Nathaniel and Simon were fist-fighting two other men, and she could see blood pouring from Nathaniel's nose. He was fighting, though, and he looked like he might have the advantage.

"We should have brought a weapon," she shouted to Robert, working out who to go and help and wondering where Henry was.

A voice sounded loud and clear behind them. "I did bring a pistol, ma'am, and here is one for you, Robert," he said, handing him a second gun.

"Colonel, am I glad to see you," Robert said. "Let's go and stop this now."

Arabella saw a movement in the bushes behind Freddy and instantly knew it was Henry. Before she could do anything, he had run out from behind the bushes and began running deftly around the man who'd grabbed Freddy, winding his legs in fishing line. Freddy broke free as the man struggled to stay upright, and the boys pushed the man down onto the ground.

Freddy took off the man's breeches and used them to tie the man's hands together. Arabella reached them just as he was in the process of tying a knot.

"You brave boys," she cried. "Here, let me help." She pushed the man down and made sure his hands and legs were tied securely.

She looked around at the others. At that moment, Colonel Lloyd fired a single shot into the air and spoke with a voice that must have made men on the battlefield cower in fear.

"Lay down any arms and stop fighting now," he bellowed. "My regiment is on its way down the hill, and you will not survive."

Arabella saw Henry and Freddy staring at the colonel in awe.

It worked, too. Robert helped the man in the water to dry land, then made him sit next to the man tied up with the fishing line, keeping the pistol trained on them. The men Nathaniel and Simon had been fighting soon joined them, frog-marched by the colonel.

Emma rushed over to Nathaniel, who took her in his arms and held her close.

Arabella watched as Robert made his way to help Simon deal with his bleeding nose. He handed his brother a cloth and put his hand across his back.

"They were going to kidnap Freddy, too, Mama," shouted Henry. "They didn't know which of us to take."

"You've both been very brave," Arabella said, holding them close in her arms. "I'm very proud of both of you."

"Aunt Emma was like an Amazon queen. She tripped that man up and then pelted him with the wicker basket," said Henry.

"And Reverend Nathaniel kept fighting even when he was injured. There's a lot of blood. Do you think he will be all right?" said Freddy, with a little concern in his voice.

"I believe it is just a nosebleed and looks much worse than it is," Arabella reassured him.

She looked up to see Elinor and the dowager coming through the trees. Elinor dashed towards Freddy and scooped him up in a hug. Arabella kept tight hold of Henry.

The dowager went to join Robert and Simon after speaking disdainfully to the hired men and telling them she was a duchess and would ensure they spent many years in jail.

She looked at Simon's face and mopped him with cloths she made from her torn petticoat. Arabella's eyes widened at the competence of this elegant lady of society.

The constables arrived soon after, rounded the assailants up, and took them off to York jail.

They joined together in a huddle, and Arabella and Elinor gathered discarded books, fishing equipment, and clothing together. Nathaniel had not stopped holding Emma close in his arms.

"It looks as though Christopher Farrington has got away," said Robert. "His coach raced away as soon as he saw the constables arriving."

"They have an alert out for him, and he shouldn't get far, but we know he is desperate and dangerous," added the colonel.

"We must send a message to Horton Hall to let Sir Joseph and Lady Thraxton know that the children are safe," said the dowager. "I think it would be wise if everyone came to the castle as it is nearer, and we checked injuries and cleaned everyone up there."

"I'll send a carriage over for Sir Joseph and Lady Thraxton," said Robert. "I suggest we discuss together what to do next to best protect the children while Farrington is on the run."