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and Master James, and well, if I could be of service I would gladly accompany you. I’ve been with the family for seven years. Although I’ve never been a lady’s maid, I learn quickly and I’m loyal.” She clasped her hands in front of her and waited.
    Angeline sighed in relief. “I’d be very grateful for your company, Mrs. Whitaker.” If they must go, there would at least be someone they knew with them.
    “Thank you, miss. You won’t be sorry.” Shirley bobbed a curtsy and sent Bunny a smile as she scurried from the room.
    “Did you know about this, Bunny?”
    “I suspected as much. Shirley’s a good woman and if it won’t be me goin’ with you and Master James, then I’m glad it’ll be her. She’ll look after you far better than I could.”
    At another tap on the door, Bunny turned to open it. They were both surprised to see Mr. Mansfield instead of one of the maids.
    “I beg your pardon, miss, but there is—a person—here to see you.”

Chapter 4
    Angeline lifted a brow. “Could you be more specific?”
    “He wouldn’t give his name, miss, but he says he has a message for you, personally .”
    “Show him into the parlor. I’ll be right there.”
    “Yes, miss.” Mansfield bowed and withdrew.
    Angeline shut the door and gave Bunny her back. “Help me out of this gown. I’m certainly not going down dressed like this.”
    A few minutes later, Angeline descended the stairs in a well worn, but serviceable, day dress. Mr. Mansfield waited in the foyer, a look of misgiving on his face as he regarded the man beside him.
    “I’m Angeline Ashley. You have a message for me?”
    “Yes miss, from Mr. Thornby. He asked me to deliver it personal like and that’s what I done.” Turning his hat in his hands, he sent a rather abused look at Mansfield.
    “Edward Thornby sent you?”
    “Yes, miss.” He handed her a folded piece of paper. “Me and my lad was asked to help ye.”
    The letter was indeed from Edward. Short and to the point, he urged her to pack quickly and come to London. She was to trust Hankins—she glanced at the man—to see them safely to lodgings near the docks where they were to stay until the ship departed. It was signed Thornby. Obviously, Malcolm had discovered they planned to leave.
    Hankins and his son, Jeb, who was nearly a head taller than his father and outweighed him by a good two stones, were shown to the kitchen for venison pie while the trunks, cases and bandboxes were packed. Then, with their help and that of some footmen, two heavy drays were quickly loaded. A layer of straw and vegetables covered the luggage.
    Dressed simply in drab brown, and wearing dark capes with the hoods pulled up, Angeline and Shirley climbed into the middle of one dray and hunkered down between baskets of cabbages, potatoes and leeks. Hankins handed Jimmy in, and Angeline tugged a thick woolen blanket over him before Hankins covered them with an oilskin. After he took his position on the flat plank that made up a seat, the two farm wagons bumped away from Ashley Manor toward London.
    By the time they reached their destination, Angeline felt bruised and battered from head to toe. If just her reputation was at stake, she would confront Malcolm and be done with this. But she couldn’t take the chance he would make good on his threat to hurt James.
    Their housing was an attic room in a small cottage, but it was clean and warm, the food hot and filling. Within a few days, and under cover of night, they were ushered aboard ship to the safety of their cabin.
    She knew someone was to meet them in London and accompany them to America. Angeline hoped Edward had been able notify that person they were already on board. But as the day arrived for the ship to depart, she’d had no word from anyone.
    Within days of leaving London, the weather turned, sending the few passengers below deck. High waves washed over the bow and lifted the ship, then dropped it into deep troughs, only to be lifted again by the