“Even so, we could make the attempt to bring him to justice,” Dixon said. “There have been fewer acquittals in cases of ravishment of late. Most of those have been on the grounds the prosecutrix failed to appear in court.”
Millie couldn’t blame the women who’d failed to attend the trials.
She wasn’t sure she’d be willing to sit on display in a witness a box, let alone recount intimate violations to a room full of strangers. On the other hand, she wasn’t willing to let Willard go unpunished.
“We have to make the attempt,” she said.
“At the very least, we will free them.”
In Asquith’s face, Millie read the resolve of a man who understood Willard’s nature. She nodded in acknowledgment of his resolve and then returned her attention to the book. Whatever conveyance the villains had used to bring Neville to the lodge would have had to pass through this very gate.
Tollkeepers generally only noted the amount of toll paid, the type of vehicle, the load’s weight, and the number of horses drawing the vehicle, or the number of animals in a drove. However, the Runner, when he’d first arrived a few days prior, had asked the tollkeeper to take more detailed notes on the people passing through.
Single male rider, velocipede, around the age of majority.
Huh.Velocipede. A ridiculous contraption. And quite expensive as well. One of Willard’s bucks, perhaps?
Two horse carriage, two young men.
Vicar horseback, on his way through to the parish next town over.
Hay cart single male driver in livery.
She paused.In livery?“I think I’ve found it.”
She flipped back through the pages seeking another entry for a haycart. The weight the tollkeeper had recorded from the weighbridge was off enough to cover a man of Neville’s size.
“I’m sure I’ve found it,” she repeated with confidence. She showed Asquith and Dixon.
“You’ve an eye for this sort of work,” Dixon said.
“Don’t tempt her,” Asquith replied.
Millie sent Asquith a withering expression.
“—ah, him,” Asquith corrected.
“I think we may drop the subterfuge,” Dixon interjected. “This is no place for a lady, even one as intrepid as you.”
Millie acknowledged his praise with a nod. “Were you just saying you didn’t think he was being held in the house?”
The runner shook his head. “The few local boys I pay to keep watch haven’t seen anything unusual at the main house. But that cart did deliver a load of hay to the barn earlier today.”
“Then I think we should go investigate the barn now.” Asquith flattened his hands against the table. “Mil—anny—you stay here. You can send warning if anyone suspicious passes through.”
“The tollkeeper’s son can do that job well enough!” Millie passed a hand over the pocket where she had the pistol stored. “Itoldyou why it must be me.” She turned to Dixon. “I’m a better shot than he is.”
“And I was a marksman with the 95th,” Dixon replied. “No one is a good shot in the dark. Even with my Baker’s rifle, I couldn’t be certain I’d take out a threat at a distance tonight.”
“You’ve the greater expertise.” Millie inclined her head. “But that is my husband in there. I am willing to risk my life.And I recently escaped ravishment by Willard—and managed to disarm him, too.”
“Again, impressive,” Dixon said. “What about Willard? And the women? I cannot enter a gentleman’s house without cause, you shouldn’t either.”
“Asquith can keep Willard occupied at the house. Dixon, you can keep watch. I’ll enter the barn and free my husband. Then, Neville, Dixon and I will join Asquith. We will all do what we can to save those girls.”
Asquith and Dixon exchanged some unspoken communication.
“Perhaps we should see first to the barn and then decide how to proceed?” Asquith suggested.