![]() ![]() ![]() For one suspended moment, they stared at each other, love, hope and remembered pain reflected, over and again, between them.Īnd the years rolled back. Her grandfather stood before her, proud head erect, his leonine mane thrown into relief by the flares flanking the large doors. Gravel scrunched beneath the wheels the carriage rocked to a halt. Kit straightened and shook old Elmina awake, then sat back, suddenly tense. The gates were open wide the coach trundled through. Ten minutes later, the entrance to the park loomed ahead in the gathering dusk, the Cranmer arms blazoned on each gatepost. She'd remained 'cabin'd, cribb'd and confin'd' in London for far too long. With a triumphant sigh, Kit lay back on the squabs and gave thanks, yet again, for her freedom. Streamers of red and gold coloured the sky in welcome the sense of coming home grew stronger with every mile. Ahead lay the turning to Wolferton Cranmer was close at last. ![]() The spire atop the Custom's House at King's Lynn and the old fortress of Castle Rising had fallen behind. Kit Cranmer sat with her nose to the carriage window, feasting on the landmarks of memory. "Plain sailing with Captain Jack?" George snorted. Captain Jack's command of the Hunstanton Gang should be plain sailing." "All things considered, I can't see why you're worrying. As they climbed a rise, Jack glanced back. George followed Matthew brought up the rear. "Given the smugglers are all from outlying farms or fishing villages, there's no reason they should stumble on our real identities."Ĭhecking his horse, Jack turned left, into the narrow mouth of a winding track. "We'll continue to use the old fishing cottage as our private rendezvous - it's secluded and we can guard against being followed." Like himself and George, a native of these parts, Matthew, his long-time batman, now general servant, had merged easily into the smuggling band. We'll have time enough for our needs." He twisted, glancing back at the third rider, a length behind to his left. They won't rock the boat, at least, not soon. They've been looking for months for someone to replace Jed Brannagan. #CAPTIN JACKS FULL#"Just how long do you imagine the Gang will swallow your tale of us being landless mercenaries, dishonourably discharged no less, particularly once you take full command? You've been a major for years, landed gentry all your life. "And perhaps not." He blinked, and straightened. "I thought, once we'd investigated any recent human cargoes, you'd shut the Hunstanton Gang down." It occurs to me that while our principal aim is to ensure no spies go out through the Norfolk surf, and perhaps follow any arrivals back to their traitorous source, we might now have the opportunity to do a little information passing of our own - to Boney's confusion, needless to say." "Captain Jack's only been with us half an hour and already you're getting ideas. "We might even be able to use the traffic for our own ends." We're in a perfect position to ensure no information gets to the French by this route." His brows rose his expression turned considering. We've been accepted by the smugglers - I'm now their leader. "Stop grouching - our mission's proceeding better than I'd hoped, and all in only a few weeks of coming home. "Poor blighters - they've no idea what they've let themselves in for." "You have to admit Captain Jack's perfect for this job - a fitting leader for the Hunstanton Gang." "He's merely been in temporary retirement." Captain Jack had been active in more devil-may-care days, when, between army engagements in the Peninsula, the Admirality had recruited Jack to captain one of his own ships, harrassing French shipping up and down the Channel. I've lived the last years in the comfortable belief that Captain Jack had died." "Who else?" Mounted on his tall grey, Jonathon Hendon, better known as Jack, gestured expansively. "Captain Jack!" As he swung his horse onto the road, George Smeaton frowned at the man beside him. They would return, nights from now, meeting under the light of a storm lantern to hear of the next cargo their new leader had arranged. Afterwards, the smugglers had left, slipping into the night, mere shadows in the dark. ![]() Earlier, within its walls, the Hunstanton Gang had gathered to elect a new leader. The Old Barn stood silent, watchful, guarding its secrets. Clouds shifted, drifted moonlight shone through, bathing the scene. Harness jingled, faint on the night breeze, as they turned their horses' heads to the west. Three horsemen pulled out of the trees before the Old Barn. ![]()
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