The Maid

Chapter Nine

A/N: I know I should be waiting for another review, but the characters from this story wouldn't let me! So, I've decided to finish it tonight. Hope y'all like the ending!

Chapter Nine

The lieutenant's words seemed to have struck us all dumb. Uncle Henry's face was the colour of my bedsheet, and Dominic's blue eyes were wide. I felt an ugly surge of horror. Who on earth could have seen Bess with the highwayman; who could have heard his words to her?

Bess opened her mouth as if to say something, but she was dragged upstairs. I followed in time to see them tying her to her bedpost and gagging her. 

"Surely you don't need to do that!" I protested.

The lieutenant smirked. "And have her call out to him? I don't think so. Now get downstairs, girl, where you belong." He and his men turned back to the business of preparing their rifles.

I sidled closer to Bess and whispered in her ear. "Is it true what they're saying?"

She nodded, her face full of fear. She tried to speak, the words muffled through the gag. "'elp...thur."

Help Arthur? I tried to see if I had deciphered her words incorrectly, but there was no mistaking them. 

I bit my lip. Everything I had been taught as a child rebelled against aiding a lawbreaker, but in my heart of hearts I knew I would not just help Arthur, but Bess as well. I needed to save her.

I sent my cousin a swift nod and then left the room. Downstairs, Uncle Henry was sitting at a table, with Dominic next to him. I knelt down in front of my uncle, taking his icy-cold hands. "Uncle Henry?"

He looked up. "Why didn't she tell me?" I whispered. "I would've forgiven her. I would have forgiven her anything. And now she'll die. Just like her mother."

I shivered slightly at the gloom-filled words from my normally cheerful uncle. "No, Uncle." I stood up. "I'm not going to let that happen." I turned to Dominic. "If anyone asks, I'm in the outhouse."

He frowned. "What are you going to do?"

"Wish me luck," was all I said as I strode towards the door. Once outside, I headed for the stables and saddled up one of the horses as best I could.

"Where are you going?" The familiar voice seemed to freeze me right to my bones. I turned around.

"None of your business, Tim."

He smirked, revealing yellow teeth. "Goin' to save your cousin's precious highwayman, are ya?"

Realisation slammed into me. "It was you, wasn't it?" I whispered, feeling a chill of fear. "You're the one who told on Arthur!" Fear was swiftly replaced by anger. "You traitor!"

His eyes flashed. "Why, you little..." His hand raised up to strike me, and I shut my eyes tightly.

The blow never came. There was a crack and Tim slumped to the floor, unconscious.

My eyes shot open. Dominic stood there, holding the broom. He'd used the handle to knock Tim out. Our eyes met, mine full of unspoken gratitude. "Thank you."

Dominic put the broom down. "Arthur will be coming by the north road. Hurry and you'll meet him in time, but go out as if you're heading to Yardley and then double back. The redcoats won't notice."

For the second time that day I was stunned. "Wait...you knew?!"

He grinned. "I may be a dwarf, but I'm not stupid. Arthur's the one who brought me here when I was sick; left me with Bess. I owe him one."

I smiled. "Thank you," I said again, before mounting the horse. "I won't forget this."

Dominic nodded. "Just be careful." He gestured to Tim. "I'll take care of him. He won't be tellin' any more tales after this."

Following Dominic's suggestion was easy enough, but after a while my backside began to hurt and I was consumed by worry. What if I'd missed Arthur? He could be near the inn, right now...

Out of nowhere, a horse leapt into the road, right in front of me. The masked rider grasped my horse's bridle, jerking us to a stop. 

"Arthur!"

"Rose?!" The man pulled his mask down. "What in the devil are you doing here?"

I explained breathlessly. When I was finished, Arthur's teeth were clenched. "If they hurt my Bess," he growled, "I'll kill every single one of them."

"Not if they kill you first," I retorted. "You should ride away from here. Find a safe place and then wait until the redcoats leave town. Then you can come to the inn."

Arthur studied me keenly and then laughed. "You've quite a mind for someone so young," he said. "I'm grateful. Tell my Bess I'll see her soon." With that, he turned and rode away to the east, his horse's hooves echoing across the moor.

I sat there for a while and then rode back slowly, thinking over the night's work. Bess and Arthur had been saved, but there was a whole lot of explaining to do before things could be set right.

Yet for some reason, I didn't care. I was ready. Lifting my chin, I spurred the horse on...towards home.

 

Epilogue

Dear Nell,

It has been a whole year since I first left my home in London, a frightened fourteen-year-old girl, to come to Yorkshire to live with people I did not know, in a place I had never seen. Many things have changed since then, and as I sit here now, I think of them.

Bess and Arthur are married now, and live in Ireland, where Arthur is making a fresh start, or so Bess says in her letters. I will never really like Arthur, but I am glad Bess is happy. She and Uncle Henry have made their peace, but I don't think things will ever be the same between them.

Mam has proved to be a great help at the inn. When Bess left, Uncle Henry wrote a letter to Mam, asking her to come and stay. She was there by the next mail coach. The soldiers and navvies and journeymen that come to the inn love her laughter and her snarky comments, and in spite of what she says about public houses, I think she is coming to like her job too.

Dominic and I are the best of friends. Being a year older than me, he is rather protective, but I don't mind. It's been a long while since I've felt protected by someone. Even though we are close, I still do not ask him what became of Tim, who disappeared after that night. Frankly, I do not really care.

Major Warrington does not visit the inn as much, ever since Bess left, but we see Walter often. I am hoping, someday, for something special...but that is another matter.

Uncle Henry is calling me, so I must finish this letter. I cannot wait for your reply.

Your friend,

Rose

And so all things must come to an end. This has been a terrific journey. Thanks all, for your support and comments. I hope to write something else soon. Love, Abigail.