Annabelle woke early wanting to see Cyril and Juliana off and knowing Juliana would want to get the earliest start possible. Cyril was already out of bed and dressed by the looks things and she hoped she was not too late.

She worried about them both and Richard. Who knows where all this craziness would lead them? How had so much gotten out of hand so easily?

"Juliana?" Annabelle said knocking on her door, but although her bags were still there she was gone. Perhaps they moved on to have a little something to eat before they left.

She entered the parlor and then the dining room where she had seen Cyril with a cup of tea. "Cyril? Where is Juliana?"

"Gone I'm afraid." And then seeing the look of panic in her eyes, added, "No worries, I know where she is headed and she will only be about..." looking at his pocket watch.., "less than thirty minutes ahead of me."

"You are going after her then?" Annabelle asked sitting next to him.

"Of course, Dear. You know she would have snuck off in the middle of the night, not wanting to put us in any danger. I made sure she had what she needed to stay protected and I will not be too far behind her. I plan to stay until she meets up with Richard and then I will come home. Will you and the boys be alright?"

Annabelle leaned over and kissed her husband. "We will be fine. In fact, I am thinking we may just stay on here a while until I get word from you that you are on your way home. I get the feeling Alex will feel more secure if we are both there with them."

"You know best. Now," he said standing up he held his hand out to her, she took it and rose to stand with him, "I love you, Annabelle. I do not foresee any trouble but if I have learned anything in the last few days it would be not to take anything for granted."

With that being said, he pulled her towards him and kissed her soundly. Reluctantly he pulled away. "Take care of yourself and the boys for me. I will try and be home as soon as I possibly can."

A little teary-eyed, Annabelle nodded not sure she could speak just yet. "I do not know how I ever lived without you, Cyril. You know this is the first time we will be separated since before we were wed. Please do not keep me waiting. You know I do not do well with having to wait."

Cyril laughed at this. He did know his wife could be a trifle impatient but it was just one of the many things he loved about her. "I promise."

She walked him to the door and kissed him goodbye, hoping they all would be together again soon.

-----------------

Juliana woke before the break of dawn. She left her belongings behind. They would not serve her where she was headed. She needed to be stealthy and a woman traveling alone stood out.

Cyril had made sure she was taken care of. In the bag she could carry with her was two sets of men's clothing, she wound her hair up tight like she had so many times when she was a servant and tucked it under a cap. The coat was a little large but being a tall woman helped her fill out the clothes. She bound her breasts, which proved an easy task, as she was not exactly a buxom woman. Taking a final look at her appearance she felt satisfied so long as she did not let anyone get too close she could pull this off.

Cyril knew exactly where Richard was headed including the path he chose to follow. He wanted Cyril to know should anything happen to him, where to look. It amazed her how close those two had become. Richard had even called him brother.

She knew Richard would have to stop for the night and so wanted an even earlier start so she could make up some time. Hopefully, Richard did not think the same, or there would still be a great distance between them and she may not catch up until they reached Bath.

She went on horseback, also knowing traveling lighter she would cover more ground but her body paid the price for riding was a bit jarring, still, the pain was tolerable. Traveling this way also prevented her possible discovery as she would not have to interact with too many people. To be caught would not bode well as women are not permitted to dress as men.

In a few hours, she had reached the inn where Richard was supposed to be staying. Although upon inquiry within she discovered he had already moved on. Gaining the confidence of the innkeeper letting him think she was a valet hoping to be hired to accompany Richard on his trip.

She did not eat before leaving Clara's and so took some provisions for the road. The innkeeper was grateful to receive her coins, as there was not much business on this particular road. Soon she was in the saddle. She hoped she would catch up to Richard soon she had about five more hours before her horse would need a rest. Thankfully there were plenty of carriage inns looking to accommodate those traveling to Bath and the coast.

As she traveled she wondered if she should reveal herself to Richard. What if he were upset with her? He did leave her behind for a reason, but how can she be expected to just let Richard face whatever danger there may be on his own. No, she had to keep following him and if she does find him she will stay close but stay hidden. If Richard did find himself in trouble she could use the element of surprise in their favor.

She soon came upon the second inn, her horse needed to rest and then it would be about another six or seven hours and she would reach Bath. She took her horse to the stables and excitement leaped in her heart when she suddenly heard his voice. "Take good care of my team. I will only be about an hour and then I will need them hitched to ride again." Richard said handing the groom some coins.

"Yes, Lord Bentley!" the young man pocketed the coins and began unhitching Richard's horses. It was then the groom noticed Juliana. "I will be but a moment, sir," he said to her and Juliana just nodded. Richard looked over at her briefly but she lowered her cap and hid behind her horse's face to obscure his view.

He paid her no mind and moved on to the inn. Keeping her distance would prove more difficult than she thought, although she was overjoyed at seeing him again. She knew she had to stick close she would give him a ten-minute head start before she would leave, so they were not on top of one another.

Richard missed Juliana and pulled out a paper, a quill, and some ink and began to write her a letter as promised.

Hello Love,

I sit here and think of you. How I would love to be with you right now. Loving you as I should. Instead, there is one last deed that must be done. Hopefully, this unfortunate task will be over soon, so I may return. I am one stop away from reaching Bath but I fear finding Lady Catherine may prove difficult. I know nothing of where she may be hiding if she is hiding.

He chose not to add if she was still alive...

I promise to write again once I have reached Bath. I said I would write to you every day and I plan on keeping that promise.

I hope to be home soon. I so wish I could hold you right now.

Forever Yours,

Richard

Juliana watched him write a letter, wondering if it were for her. Guilt struck her heart. It seemed wrong to deceive him in this way. She did not know what to do? Perhaps she should just reveal herself to him. Then she noticed another stranger enter the inn and she could not help but notice how he kept to the shadows, not unlike herself. He took a position so that he could have a good view of all in the room. Something about this stranger unnerved her.

She watched as Richard sealed the envelope and took it to the innkeeper. She also took note of how this new stranger seemed to follow his movements. She waited and watched, Richard had ordered a light fare obviously eager to get a move on. When she saw him check his watch she realized it had been a while and when she saw the stranger in the corner do the same she became more alarmed. The stranger looked around the room for something or someone and frowned.

If only his face was not in shadow. Juliana felt her frustration rise. When Richard rose to go back to the stables, she had planned on giving him his space, however, when the stranger had risen shortly after and in the same direction, she changed her mind. Surely, it could not be a coincidence.

Richard realized he was early, too early to retrieve his team but he was eager to get back on the road. The sooner he got to Bath the sooner he could get home to Juliana. "You there, Groomsmen?"

The young man came running up to him. "How much to house my horses here and the carriage I will leave all but one?"

"I will need to check for you, sir?" the man said.

"Do not trouble yourself. I will talk to the owner and settle up with him. Do make sure my strongest horse is saddled up and ready to ride upon my return," Richard commanded. The man nodded and immediately jumped to complete the task.

Juliana stepped aside as Richard strode at a rather fast pace right past her, she had lost track of the stranger. She began her search around the side of the stable. Still nothing.

She looked further still. Gone?

Maybe she was just getting jumpy. There was a lot to be nervous about. She was letting her imagination run amuck. Juliana went into the stables and brushed down her horse getting him ready for the saddle when Richard returned.

Richard was an excellent rider and it will prove more difficult keeping up with him. On horseback, he will be able to move much faster. She could not afford to give him much of a head start yet she could not remain close enough to draw attention.

Richard started out, and that is when she had seen the stranger already saddled up, he watched Richard pass but he did not follow. What was he waiting for? Several minutes had passed and the stranger had gotten down from his horse and tied it out front of the inn. As he made his way back to the stables Juliana followed close behind, and then the opportunity presented itself, she pulled back on her pistol.

"Do not make another move," she said, sticking the gun in the man's back.

His hands slowly raised in the air. Juliana sighed. Grateful this man was not going to be any trouble. Then he spun on his heel and disarmed her. Within seconds she was staring down the barrel of her own gun.

"I knew I was right to follow you."

Juliana overcame the shock to realize who had spoken. "Cyril? What are you doing here?"

"I gave you those pistols Juliana to protect yourself. Not to go hunting down anyone you thought may put Richard in danger. You are not skilled enough to do something so foolish!" he admonished her. "Tell me you know at least how to fire the darn thing?"

Juliana nodded that she did.

"Good," he said handing it back to her. "When you pull a gun on someone Juliana you have to be prepared to use it. You get one shot, and one shot only, understood?"

"Yes, Cyril." Juliana felt so foolish. Thank God it was Cyril and not someone out to do Richard harm as she would now be dead and no help to Richard what-so-ever.

"If you shoot, aim for legs. Incapacitate whoever it is. Then run. Do not stick around to see what happens next. Got it?"

Juliana nodded, she did. As angry as Cyril was at her he had to admit she scared him witless for a few seconds thinking he was being held up by some vagrant until she spoke. He would never admit such a thing to her though as overconfidence would be the death of her.

"Come. Richard has a substantial lead on us now. We have much ground to cover. We most likely will not catch up to him until he reaches Bath."

Juliana looked sullen. Not only had her actions been foolish and could have gotten her killed but she could have put Richard at risk as she now was far from being in a helpful position.

Cyril stopped walking as he took in her frown. "Juliana," he spoke much softer to her now. "What you did back there was foolish but also incredibly brave. Richard is indeed a lucky man to have inspired in you such love and devotion, but remember it is that love that is his lifeline, do nothing that would sever it. Or we may lose you both."

His meaningful words she took to heart and she understood quite well. Do not put herself in at risk, if she dies Richard would too. She must become smarter and think before acting, only in that way she will keep them both safe.

"Now, let us go get a carriage, we will travel faster with two horses," Cyril said, "And I worry that the pace we would need to keep would be too rough for you."

"Thank you, Cyril," Juliana said humbled.

Cyril smiled. "No need to thank me. It is what family is for."