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“Aye, I don’t like it none, for I don’t take to floutin’ the law—but those twiddlepoops in Harrowgate wot thinks they be the law, leave us no choice in the matter”

“Indeed, we have no choice, but I do dislike putting you in such a way, for Chauncey it is breaking the law and we shall be in a bit of a tight spot for some days to come,” Mandy said distressfully

“Coo, h sech as that would be htly

Mandy kneas ht of it to steady her, but this was serious…such awfully serious business!

Ned fidgeted in his dreary cell It had been a long hard week He had been allowed supervised exercise in the rear courtyard, but his meals had been bland and cold at best He had spent his days reading the books that his sister had brought hially hold hi He was not a commoner, but a titled aristocrat This sort of treatment was unheard of, but with no one of consequence to take charge and make his uncle stand back, he was in an awful bind

Mandy’s visit in thehad hi he was certain would land the he knew to talk her out of the course of action she intended to take, however, now that the h, he was excited and restless, anxious, and aly ready Besides all of that was the fact that not five minutes before he had overheard his uncle in conversation with Magistrate Connors and he now believed his sister was in the right of it and they had no choice but to go ahead with their plan

Hethe rear courtyard of the courthouse He could hear the clip-clop of horses on the cobblestone street and the laughter of farmers and cits as they made their way to a nearby tavern

He was frustrated in the extreme How could anyone think that he would harm Celia in any way, let alone, kill her? Monstrous! Yet, he stood accused not only of getting her, a young gently born girl with child, but then not only shirking a duty to her and the unborn child, but actually ruthlessly killing her How could anyone think such a thing of him? He had to find a way to prove hih he had visited often enough and assured him that they would find a way, did not seem overly hopeful in the last few days

However, his sister would coh All he had to do ait

Mandy kneorried and unhappy her tas about this undertaking She also knew that they didn’t have a choice She had been preparing for it the ht She had been sickened to see Skippy with Ned’s horse in tow that day and she knew that if her brother wasn’t released within a few days, she would have to prepare for the worst

The time had come There could be no further delay

Aoas hiked up to enable her to ride astride Her golden locks were dressed provocatively upon her head, with a black chip bonnet slanted alluringly over her forehead Through her golden curls a black silky ribbon had been laced, giving her an enticing, yet innocent appearance

Chauncey sat his big bay thoroughbred with purpose and Ned’s steed led by a long leather line, jogged a behind him

It was late and dark had descended hours ago Theytheir horses to pick their way safely as they entered the village Only the dihts from the tavern illuminated some of their way as they went around to the rear of the courthouse