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wine and a large hamper had been placed in the interior whilst the portmanteaux had been strapped to the roof. Seeing these arrangements, and aware that they had been ordered for her benefit, Jane warmed toward her companion, appreciating his consideration for her welfare.
    Trying not to alarm her, Robert did not mention the brace of loaded firearms he thought it necessary to place in the pocket of the carriage door or the small pistol that he could now feel pressing against his thigh in the pocket of his greatcoat.
    It would not do to admit that he thought their expedition could prove hazardous. Jane had enough to cope with by way of her concern for Harry without having to dwell on possible dangers. Indeed, he would spare her whatever anxiety he could during this very difficult time.
    Not wishing to draw attention to their journey, he had dispensed with outriders. Instead, he ordered that Hills, a wiry, middle aged, individual who was first mate on The Mistral, should accompany them. He was to act as interpreter and guard, and now traveled alongside the hired coachman. He hoped that by presenting a less opulent appearance they would prove less attractive to those who would seek to waylay them.
    Sitting in the forward facing corner, opposite the duke, Jane found it difficult to hide her impatience when the coach was forced to lumber through the narrow streets of Lisbon at a painfully slow pace. Now that they were once more on dry land, and within reach of Harry, her anxiety would not be suppressed and manifest itself in a scarcely concealed irritability.
    “Can we not go any faster?” she asked, frowning as she looked out of the window. “How long will it take us to reach Elvas?”
    Robert leaned forward from the opposite seat and took her hand, patting it reassuringly. “Be assured we will make what time we can,” he said, attempting to calm her unease.
    “Do you think we will be in time?” she asked, turning her anxious gaze on him. “I cannot bear the thought that we may not. I dare not even think it!”
    “ The coachman says it should take no more than three days, possibly a little less. You must try to reconcile yourself to the journey; it will make it far less tiring and wearing on your nerves. See, we already leave the bustle of Lisbon behind, we will soon be out in open country and although the roads may prove a little rough, there is nothing to hamper us and we shall make good time.”
    “ There is no need to humor me, sir,” she said sharply, retrieving her hand from his clasp and leaning back against the squabs. “I am fully aware of the possibilities; I have known from the outset that the result of our journey is far less than certain. Indeed the odds are set against us. I should not have involved you in my schemes; you ought not to have been troubled on our account.”
    He frowned heavily, becoming impatient with her repudiation of his support. “Whatever ails you now, Jane? If I am not mistaken, I involved myself. Can you not, even now, come to accept my aid? I had thought you to have become reconciled to it.”
       Immediately contrite she held her hand out to him. “Indeed I have. Forgive me. I know not what I am at and I worry so. Will you not shake hands and make amends?”
    “Humph,” he said, folding his arms across his chest and ignoring the outstretched hand. “If this is to be your way of thinking throughout the journey it will seem a very long one indeed. I am in no mind to try to fathom your moods. The workings of the female mind ever remain a mystery to me.”
    They fell silent, each retreating into their corner deep in their own thoughts, Jane suppressing a desire to cry with frustration, and the duke suppressing a desire to box her ears. The remainder of the day passed with an awful civility between them, Elvas did indeed seem a great distance away!
    So remained the state of affairs until early evening when as they approached the outskirts of Marateca darkened skies and a loud