Mary Andrea Clarke - The Crimson Cavalier

it is good to see a publisher investing in fresh work that falls four-square within the genres traditions.

- Martin Edwards, author of the highly acclaimed Harry Devlin Mysteries

Crme de la Crime so far have not put a foot wrong.

- Reviewing the Evidence

First published in 2007
by Crme de la Crime
PO Box 523, Chesterfield, S40 9AT

Copyright 2007 Mary Andrea Clarke

The moral right of Mary Andrea Clarke to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

All the characters in this book are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Typesetting by Yvette Warren
Cover design by Yvette Warren
Front cover image by Peter Roman

ISBN 978-0-9551589-5-7
eBook ISBN 978-1-9067905-8-5

A CIP catalogue reference for this book is available from the British Library

Printed and bound in Germany by Bercker.

www.cremedelacrime.com

Contents

About the author:

Currently working in the Civil Service, Mary Andrea Clarke has been a regular delegate at crime fiction conferences and a member of Mystery Women since 1998. She has reviewed historical fiction for the Historical Novel Society and crime fiction for Sherlock Magazine, Shots Ezine and Mystery Women. Mary lives in Surrey with her cat, Alice.

The contribution of my late mother has been vital; her belief and encouragement kept me going through the spells of rejection. I wish she could have been here to see the final result.

A major thank-you to Jason Perrott for his invaluable help in pruning the manuscript, publicity photographs and consistent moral support and belief.

Thanks to Jane Baker, Kate Charles, Michelle Spring and Alison Weir for their guidance and encouragement.

My editor Meriel Patrick has been conscientious and thorough and I am grateful for her insight.

A number of people have given encouragement and support on the journey in bringing this book to print. These include Linda Clarke, Gaynor Coules, the late Sandra Gaffney, Lizzie Hayes, Sue Lord, Adrian Magson, Ayo Onatade, Kate Stacey, friends from Mystery Women, the St Hildas Crime Fiction Conference and David Headley and Daniel Gedeon of Goldsboro Books.

The staff of Dragons Health Club in Guildford deserve a mention for allowing me writing time in their coffee bar, even when I had finished eating and drinking.

Finally, a huge thank-you goes to Lynne Patrick and everyone at Crme de la Crime for believing in me and the book enough to give me this opportunity.

To Mom and Dad, with thanks for your love, support and belief

The pistol didnt waver. There had been no need to fire it; the sight of the stark metal in the black-gloved hand had been enough to instil obedience in the shivering figures beside the carriage. One after another, valuables were surrendered.

Thank you for your co-operation, the highway robber drawled, passing down the line of submissive faces with an upside-down tricorne for the goods. Watches, fobs, rings went in, the victims quietly submitting to the persuasive glint of the barrel pointed at them, the only sound in the night air the uneasy whinnying of the horses.

At the end of the line the robber faced a young girl in pale yellow, watching with some interest as she slowly drew off her bracelets.

La, sir, do you mean to rob me as well?

Can you think of any reason why I should not?

Well, it seems a most ungentlemanly thing to do. The demure tone was belied by the flirtatiousness in her eyes.

Not again, thought the robber. These coquettish girls were becoming a bore. Didnt they have enough eligible men dangling after them? It was always the pretty ones; the plain ladies generally reacted with the indignation and outraged virtue one expected.

Glancing towards the older woman beside the girl, the highway robber saw the scandalised horror which appeared on many a maternal countenance.

I am no gentleman. Oh, have no fear, madam. I have no designs on your daughters virtue. I am only interested in her jewels. I beg you will instruct her to hand them over.

The young lady complied, disappointment evident in her face. The older woman reacted promptly, boxing her daughters ear; the robbers eyes flashed, muscles tensing in anger.

Do you mean to keep us here all night? demanded a solidly built gentleman, cheeks red with indignation. Youve got what you came for. Why dont you be off?

The robber regarded this outspoken individual thoughtfully, raising the pistol to half cock, a thumb hovering in position. Ah, a hero.

The movement of the weapon transformed the bluster into unease. Dignity vanished as beads of sweat appeared on his face, and his wig, knocked askew when he had been bundled out of the carriage, made for a slightly comic appearance. The moment of silence seemed interminable. Finally, his tormentor put him out of his misery, taking a step back and bowing to the assembled company.

Thank you for your generosity. You may continue your journey. However, I beg you will be careful. There are a number of highway robbers on this road, and I regret not all are as gallant as I.

The passengers boarded the coach, venturing glances towards the pistol. Nursing her ear, the flirtatious young lady was pushed on board by her angry mother, but not before bestowing a coy smile on the cloaked figure.

Outrageous! grumbled the solidly built gentleman, regaining his courage as he settled into a corner of the coach. Cut-throats holding up innocent citizens.

I beg pardon, said the robber, having caught these words. Im sure none of us is so innocent as we would have the world believe. The pistol once again faced the bombastic passenger. Probably not even you, my dear sir.

Insolent puppy! sputtered the indignant individual. Im a respected member of the community. How dare you insinuate I have something to hide?

The robbers eyes rolled heavenward, inflaming his opponent even more.

Im not without influence, blustered the man. Youll pay for this, mark my words.

The robber ignored the warning and stowed the evenings proceeds in a black velvet bag secured to a pistol belt. The cheerful crimson scarf which trimmed the tricorne stood out boldly in the moonlight. The sleek chestnut waited patiently as its owner nodded to the driver, weapon focused. Be off with you, before I find myself tempted to use this.

The driver did not need a second telling. He whipped the horses along the London road at a speed to rival Letty Lade at her most reckless. The chestnut whinnied as the robber pulled it in the opposite direction, hooves pounding as its limbs stretched out to gallop.

The horses lean muscles covered the ground with easy speed, quickly putting distance between robber and victims. A breeze began to agitate the trees.

Keep calm. Panic is the road to the gallows.

The robber gave the road a final swift glance and turned the horse towards the woods. The trees always provided good cover, and although necessity varied the route, the lie of the land was familiar enough to ease their escape. Even in the dark, horse and rider moved with easy rapport.

The pace slowed and steadied as they followed a series of turns which brought them back to the road they had started from. The trees thinned, and as they emerged from the cover, the rider pulled up and dismounted, pausing to stroke the animals neck.