Amanda's Story

At the Falls

Beauchamps called Rachel over to hold his horse while he put on hobbles. He led Battelle several feet away to a patch of thick grass, then knelt. The others continued their packing then wandered farther down the path, their voices growing dim.

"I don't want to alarm you," he said, looking up from his task, "but we may have happened upon the spy ring I've been searching for today."

Rachel turned to him sharply. "What?" She glanced back down the trail, as if it would reveal who he spoke of.

Beauchamps shook his head. "Of all the hamlets and villages on the moors, to find this little place, and on this day, of all days—" He shook his head again.

Rachel watched him closely. "You saw someone in Hawnby?"

"Not saw, but heard. I thought the proprietor of the pub looked seedy, and he was very close-lipped, even after I explained we were just on a pleasure trip. I had to pay him a shilling for directions."

"Scandalous."

Beauchamps gave a dry laugh. "His hands shook as he reached out to take it. Now, I've interviewed many liars in my life, and I know who's hiding things and who's not. I felt certain he had a shady side. When I stepped out of the pub, I cocked my ear and listened. He walked quickly from the room, up some stairs, and spoke to someone in the loft. I know there were a few words exchanged in French."

Rachel's mouth dropped open, the she swallowed nervously. "Do you suspect Du Roche?"

He shrugged, then finished the hobbles and stood. "I can't rule him out." He looked carefully at their surroundings, then checked the other horses to make sure they were tied or hobbled and in reach of water and grass.

"For now," he said, lifting her hand and placing it on his arm as they turned toward their group, "we will enjoy our afternoon. On the trip back, I will have to send you ahead with the others while I investigate. I'm sorry for that."

Rachel shook her head. "It's your duty. Besides, I would truly like a conclusion to this business, once and for all."

#

The group reformed at the narrowest point in the ravine. They had to walk single file, carefully picking their way along the rocks at the bottom. The dark stone walls dripped, feeding the moss and misting the air. Sometimes the stream at their feet was backed up, forming a large puddle a yard or two long. Here the men sometimes heaved a rock ahead to make a stepping stone, or opted to wet their own boots to heft the ladies over. Amanda didn't mind this kind of help—every time Tobias held her at her waist, she felt more comfortable in his hands and more reluctant for him to let go.

They talked and laughed at the difficulties in their way, until the roar of the river ahead grew so loud they had to yell to be heard. The seam in the rocks they followed came to a sudden end, sloping downward in several jagged steps until it met the riverbank ten feet below.

"I can see it!" Devyn called, peering around the rock face. He pointed upstream.

Humphrey squeezed alongside him, looked up the river, then looked down at the bank they must follow. "It will be a difficult endeavor. It's all slick and muddy."

He and Devyn talked over their best route and finally picked their way down to the bank. They turned back, one on each side, and positioned themselves about halfway down the descent. The two men above would lower the ladies by their arms, and the men below would take their hands once within reach.

Rachel went first, nimbly taking the first three steps until she began to slip. Beauchamps and Tobias clutched at her arms, saving her from a fall. She gave them a frightened smile, then steadied herself. Two more steps and she was able to reach for Devyn's hand, and in the next step, took Humphrey's arm. They escorted her down the rocks and she arrived at the bank, looking back with a grin. "It's not so bad! Come down, Marian."