Read The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh for Free Online Page B

gown.”
    Anna was soon dressed in a serviceable pair of breeches, linen shirt, scarf, and dark brown wool jacket. Lizzy braided her hair and pinned it up to fit easily under her hat. Anna pulled on her boots and donned a warm frieze coat. Her maid handed her a muffler, which she wrapped around her throat and the bottom part of her face, before putting the wide-brimmed black felt hat over her braids.
    â€œI’ll not be long, maybe an hour.” She picked up her gloves from the dressing table and slipped down the back stairs and out a side door.
    Fortunately, her wing was on the stable yard side of the house. Taking long strides, she reached the stable door. Humphrey, Harry’s old groom, helped her mount, then swung up on to his hack. “Humphrey, I’ll be fine by myself.”
    â€œYes, miss, so you always say. I promised Mr. Harry I’d take care of you. That’s just what I’m doing.”
    Anna sighed. “Come on then. Let’s go. Remember, you must stay back once we see the stand.”
    â€œYes, miss. Just like all the other times.”
    She didn’t know why she bothered. Humphrey would do exactly as Harry had instructed. They walked as quietly as possible out of the stable yard to a nearby meadow, before allowing the horses to canter. Once Thunderer, her horse, arrived, Humphrey wouldn’t be so protective. Thunderer could outrun any steed for three counties. She hugged the horse with her knees, guiding him. As she leaned low, the cold wind rushed by, stinging her cheeks. Moonlight lit their way, and before long she could smell the salt air. Anna inhaled the scent deeply. This was one of the parts of her Rutherford wouldn’t like, the wildness she felt when she rode by the sea.
    When she and Humphrey arrived at the grove, Kev was waiting.
    â€œThanks for comin’ so fast, Mr. Arnold.”
    Mr. Arnold was the pseudonym Harry had used and passed to her when he’d gone away.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” Anna said. “Now what’s happened?”
    â€œT’were a man, a Town swell. Come snooping around looking for a smuggling gang. Petey, he directed him to me. Told me he had some wool he wanted to ship to France. I said I weren’t the leader, and I’d have to talk wi’ my man.”
    Anna’s concern grew. This could be the very thing they were trying to avoid. “Wool? I don’t believe it. There are no duties for him to ship out of England, and the French are still in a state of flux.”
    Kev shook his head. “Didn’t sound right to me neither.”
    â€œDid he tell you when he wanted to meet with me?” Anna asked.
    â€œNo, said he’d be back. Didn’t give no time. He were mighty fixed on leavin’ fast like.”
    Anna frowned. “With luck we won’t hear from him again.”
    Kev scratched his head. “Can’t say I think we’re goin’ to be lucky.”
    â€œI must do all I am able to keep him from using us for the wrong purpose. Keep your ears open, and let me know if you hear anything else. What else do we have going?”
    â€œWell, we got some brandy a-comin’ in two days, on Saturday night. Might you be wantin’ to call a meetin’?”
    â€œYes, we’ll need to ensure that if anyone else is approached, they know what to say,” Anna said. “Let’s meet at the old barn near the cutter’s cottage at eleven o’clock on Saturday. That will still give the men plenty of time to take delivery of the brandy and unload it.”
    â€œYes, that’ll do it,” Kev replied. “You’d best be gettin’ back now. I don’t want Lizzy upset. She’ll give me what for if you’re late.”
    Anna nodded. “Kev, you take care. I’ll see you Saturday.”
    Kev made his way down the trail to the beach. From there he’d walk, keeping close to the cliffs, to the docks in the village.
    â€œHumphrey,