4 Still On the Way to London... Hopefully!
Charlotte tried to maintain her ladylike composure as much as one could from the heap of skirts she had become, At least she had plenty of layers on so no one could have possibly seen her undergarments.
She let out as dignified of an "oof" as she could as her footman, Marcus, rushed to her side.
"My lady, are you hurt?" he asked with genuine concern.
"I am fine," she retorted, possibly a bit more sharply than she'd intended.
Charlotte took Marcus' preferred hand and rose to her feet. She began to analyze the scene around her. She was a bit disappointed in the efficacy of her chosen defensive weapon, but at least it seemed to have interrupted the intent of the highwayman. But, now she had an injured man, squealing on the ground like a little piglet, and she wasn't certain of what to do.
"Might I suggest that we tie him up and bring him to the magistrate in London when we arrive? I believe travel on foot will be a quite proper punishment for his attempts here today," James, her driver announced.
And with that, it was settled.
Evelyn popped her head out of the carriage and cheered, "Well done, Lady Charlotte! You were very brave!"
Charlotte blushed a bit at the compliment but she continued to busy herself brushing the dirt from her skirts and trying to maintain her composure. Now that the threat had abated she was quite shaken and a bit shocked at herself. She couldn't believe she'd actually shot a man. With forks!
She looked around trying to see where the rest of the silver had landed and spotted pieces shining in a variety of locations.
She asked Marcus if he could possibly look around for the remaining pieces of her family's precious silverware. She treasured anything that was related to her family since it was all she had left of any of her relations. They waited a bit as Marcus gathered the silver. Finally, he turned back to the highwayman.
"What is your name, er, chap?" he hesitated, obviously Marcus was not going to call him sir after what had just occurred.
"Jack Smith," the miserable highwayman spat in the midst of being tied quite fiercely by James. Clearly, he wouldn't be escaping his bindings at any point in the near future.
"Right then, Jack, this might hurt a bit," Marcus smirked as he said and quickly yanked the fork from his thigh.
At that, Jack resumed his high-pitched pig squealing, and Charlotte couldn't help but giggle a bit at the tone his squeals had taken.
With the silverware recovered, Jack tightly bound and ready to walk behind their small procession, Charlotte was assisted back into the carriage by Marcus and they were ready to depart and finally make their way to London.
Charlotte situated herself on the carriage bench and let out quite a long sigh.
"Ma'am, are you quite alright?" Evelyn asked with genuine concern and a worried look in her eyes.
"I do think so, but I cannot believe that just happened," Charlotte responded with another sigh.
"Yes, ma'am, it was quite an adventurous afternoon," Evelyn replied.
Suddenly feeling exhausted, Charlotte yawned, leaned back on the bench, and thought to rest her eyes for just a minute. Before long, the carriage departed and she was lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking motion once again.
