Soldier of Fortune by Edward Marston Page A

apparently.'
    'Even
so,' said Cardonnel. 'It's very reckless of them. I'd be very alarmed if a
daughter of mine took such an appalling risk. They need an armed guard.'
    'If
they catch us with us, that's exactly what they'll have.'
    'But
they may never reach us alive.'
    'Have
more faith in the power of love,' said Marlborough. 'It can find a way past the
most daunting obstacles. Abigail Piper is patently a young lady with tenacity
and sense of purpose. I fancy that Rawson will be seeing her before too long.'

The
voyage had been a sustained ordeal. Sailing across the rough waters of the
North Sea in a brig had been a rude baptism for Abigail Piper and her maid,
Emily Greene. It was a supreme test of their mettle. They were sick,
uncomfortable, soaked to the skin and very frightened. They were tossed around
so helplessly by the surging waves, and lashed by such a violent storm, that
they despaired of ever seeing dry land again. When it did finally appear, they
were too weak to take any pleasure from the sight. They needed three days in
The Hague to recover from the torments inflicted upon them by the elements and
they were not cheered by the thought that they would one day have to make a
return voyage.
    Notwithstanding
the many scares and setbacks, Abigail did not regret her decision to follow
Daniel Rawson. She was soothed by dreams about him and lifted by hopes of what
would happen when she finally caught up with him. She also derived a sisterly
glee from thinking how dumbfounded Dorothy would be back in London. Abigail had
looked ahead. To pay for horses, food and accommodation, she had brought a
substantial amount of her savings with her. What neither she nor Emily was able
to bring with them was much luggage. Travelling light was crucial.
    Abigail
was an accomplished horsewoman but her maid was an indifferent rider. When they
bought two horses, therefore, Emily had severe misgivings.
    'I'm
not sure that I can do this,' she said worriedly.
    Abigail
was encouraging. 'Of course you can, Emily,' she said. 'The worst is behind us.
If you can survive a voyage like that, you can do anything.'
    'How
do I know the horse will behave itself?'
    'You'll
ride the mare - she looks placid enough.'
    'What
if she bolts?'
    'I'll
be beside you every inch of the way,' said Abigail, putting a consoling arm
around her. 'Come on - I'll help you to mount up.'
    It
took some time to get Emily in the saddle and she looked very unhappy about it.
Their belongings had been stuffed into satchels that were slung across their
horses. Knowing the dangers of travelling alone, they joined some merchants for
the first stage of their journey. They had no difficulty in following the army.
A body of men that large left clear evidence of their route. The weather was
fine, the roads flat and their travelling companions were pleasant. Abigail was
relieved to be on the move at last and Emily slowly became accustomed to the
jolting rhythm of her mount.
    'I
could never have done this without you,' said Abigail.
    'I
wish you hadn't done it at all,' Emily admitted.
    'You
were keen to join me in my adventure at the start.'
    'Yes,
Miss Abigail, but that was before I knew what lay ahead.' 'Captain Rawson,'
said Abigail, beaming. 'He is what lies ahead. The captain
is the sole reason we're here, Emily, and I'll endure any misery to reach him
so that I can show my true feelings for him.'
    'I
hope he appreciates all the efforts you've made for him.'
    Abigail
was transported. 'Oh, he will - I know he will.'

Daniel
Rawson liked to keep busy. When the army pitched camp for another day, he did
not take the opportunity to rest. He checked on his men, practised his
swordplay for an hour, then swam in the river. On his way back to his tent, he
encountered Sergeant Henry Welbeck.
    'It's
too hot,' said Welbeck, sweat dribbling down his face.
    'Do
what I did,' advised Daniel, hair still wet. 'A dip in the river will cool you
off nicely, Henry.'
    'I
can't swim.'
    'Then
it's high time you