Andy's Story

Chapter Nine - Arrangements are Made

Andy looked at her friend across from her in the carriage, if Jemima knew the plan, what were the odds that the others knew too? It was highly probable. Thinking back Andy realised that she hadn't told them not to tell their wives. She supposed, in the end, it was not something the men could have kept from their wives, they would have needed their help for some of the planning. They had brought an escape plan together in less than two days and she was grateful, more than they would ever know.

It was arranged that she would stay at their place for the night.

It would be safer for when they executed the rest of the plan, they said.

Looking out the window into the night Andy hoped she wasn't being followed as they spoke. But it would not matter, she felt safe, safe with the Foyley's and safe in the knowledge that she was getting out of London on the morrow.

As Lord Foyley expounded on the plan as the carriage rolled on to their home, Andy listen to how it would work, nodding her head here and there in agreement as it started to make sense to her.

The carriage stopped and a moment later the door was swung open and the step was let down by a footman. Lord Foyley jumped out and turned to help both ladies down and then escorted them into the house where he led them to the drawing room. Closing the door firmly behind them he offered them both a drink and then went to the sideboard to get them.

With drinks firmly in hand and the room secure Lord Foyley continue his explanation and answering Andy's questions the best he could.

"The final destination is up to you, for you to be safe we can't know where you end up." Lord Foyley told her, taking her by surprise, as he took a sip of his drink.

"But won't you want to know where I am?" Andy looked at both of them a little confused, surely they would want to know if she was safe?

Jemima walked over and wrapped her arm around her friend in a comforting manner, "Of course we do, but for everyone's safety not knowing is best." She assured her.

"But what if something were to go wrong? Rachel cannot keep up the masquerade forever, someone is bound to notice."

"Rachel will do fine, Lucie and Annabella and our abigail's will help out there too. Don't worry so much, trust us to do our part and we will trust that you will be safe wherever you end up." Jemima gave Andy's waist a squeeze with her arm. "Just like you will do fine."

"I'll need at least a week, if the weather holds, to accomplish all that I have to do for the first part of the plan." Andy said as she took a sip of her sherry, "I should not ask, but how fast do these carriages go? From what you are telling me it seems they go faster than I like."

"You will be okay, trusting that the driver does not hand the reins to any young bloods who are half-cut and ready for a lark." Lord Foyley said.

"What!?" Andy asked outraged, at the same time that Jemima sharply said: "Raoul!"

"You do not mean to say that they do that? That is sheer lunacy!" Andy questioned a little worriedly.

"Yes, it happens." Foyley told her sombrely, giving her a sympathetic look. "Hopefully you have nothing to worry about in that department though. But for now I will see you in the morning, you have a long day ahead of you." Finishing off his glass he collected the ladies empty ones and returned them to the sideboard.

"Come with me Andy. A room has been prepared and you can have a loan of one of my nightgowns." Jemima told her as they left the drawing room and headed up the stairs.