I wonder why they chose Oakhurst, of all places.” She could almost sense his mind weighing all possibilities. She was lucky that she’d fallen in with a soldier. “How is it that one of them was dressed so well?” he asked. “I’d swear that coat came from Stultz.”

In spite of the seriousness of the situation, Serena grinned. “You could tell that from a distance, sir?”

“His boots were from Hoby,” he went on. “As for his neckcloth—”

“Oh, he spent considerable time tying that each day. He even had freshly starched ones with him.”

“Hmph.” Again he fell quiet, so that she wondered what he was thinking. “Did they use their names in front of you?”

“No, just one of them, the rougher-looking one, Alf. Why do you ask?”

“’Tis curious, that’s all.”

“’Tis not good, you mean.”

“Did I say so?”

“I can tell from your voice.”

“And do you know me so well after so short an acquaintance, Lady Serena?”

“Rather an intense one, would you not agree?”

“Rather,” he said, and stiffened. “Have your pistol ready. There’s a bend in the lane ahead.”

“Perfect for an ambush,” she murmured, understanding him at once.

“Shh.” He reached forward to pat his horse on the flank, and then, to her surprise, transferred his pistol to his left hand. “Hold yours on the right.”

She nodded, understanding now. Her mouth had gone dry; her heart was pounding. Oh, please, she prayed incoherently. Please.

With the horse at a slow walk, their approach to the bend was nearly soundless. Major Kirk’s body, under her encircling arm, was taut with tension, while her own hand was steady. That was something she would never have expected back in London, when she’d danced at Almack’s or Vauxhall or at ton balls. Incomparable, he’d called her. No, the Incomparable, and therein lay a world of difference. She wondered why she felt so depressed at the thought.

Something rushed in the undergrowth to the side of the lane, just at the bend, waking her from her memories. In front of her, Charles raised his gun and cocked it, the click loud in the hush of the lane. Following suit, heart hammering in her chest, she raised her own pistol. Major Kirk looked back at her quickly, set his teeth, and walked Samson forward.

At the bend now, around it with nothing in sight, but with the rustling growing louder. Suddenly the undergrowth parted. As one, both Charles and Serena aimed their pistols, just as a hedgehog waddled across the lane.

Serena stifled a hysterical giggle and collapsed against Charles. She hadn’t realized she was quite so tense. Now that the danger was past, she could relax. Major Kirk hadn’t, though, she realized suddenly. His back was as tight as it had been before the ridiculous animal had crossed their path. The sense of their danger returned, and the reminder that he retained his soldier’s instincts. Yet he’d left war behind. Considering that he had been on his way to Oakhurst, she must be a dreadful nuisance to him.