It was around noon when they finally awoke. Joanna stretched her arms and legs like a cat, flexing wrists and ankles. As she moved from the bed the others stirred. Rosie looked aghast as she realised how late in the day it was already, but Joanna quickly assured the girl she would see her right with the landlord, and Terence added his own reassurance. Very hastily they dressed. Terence fished out a gold coin from his pouch as he and Joanna escorted Rosie, who now looked flushed and flustered once again, down to the landlord.
Terence had to suppress a laugh at the man's expression as he saw them approach, each holding one of Rosie's arms. He clearly had no idea how to react. He started to scold Rosie, but Terence cut in with an explanation, then as his words began to stumble Joanna took them up, explaining that the girl had been prevailed upon to help them prepare for departure, and saying they would pay him more than fairly to make amends for purloining one of his staff. Terence passed him the coin, and his manner changed abruptly. Rosie scurried off towards the kitchen.
Back in the room the two companions began an argument over payment. Terence found that Joanna, since his wounding, had quite a different opinion of their stay in the inn and wished to pay her half. But he was adamant that it had been his wish alone which had brought them here, and his fault that he had taken hurt. In the end Joanna gave way. Then they dressed, both in their various blacks, though Joanna could not put on some of her manly disguise to be seen here.
It emptied a good part of his purse as he paid their bill and tipped the landlord well, saying how he looked forward to returning soon. He also purchased more victuals to add to those which Joanna had already packed. The landlord was pleasant and would clearly be eager for more of their custom in the future, despite whatever it was they might do with his serving-wench. Joanna asked him to tell Rosie to look for them in the stables, and they strode through to find their mounts. After they had checked the horses and found them well cared for Joanna beat Terence to her pouch in tipping the stable-lad.
As they led their mounts into the yard Rosie came out. She looked upset to see them leaving, and Joanna caught her in one arm and hugged her, then Terence joined the scrum and all three clung together for a few moments, kissing and saying their farewells. After they broke apart the companions mounted and rode off into the mid-afternoon, turning and waving to the girl until they were out of sight.
Then Terence and Joanna joined eyes, and their mutual gaze spoke of a deepened affection and a shared regret at leaving Rosie. Terence drew a deep breath. "Well my dear companion, we are back on the road. And tonight we will sleep under the stars again, which should suit you. How long it seems already since that first eventful night!"
Joanna smiled back with warmth. She started to reply "Aye my love ..." and covered the slip by finishing "... of all things natural is strong. It will indeed be pleasant to sleep outdoors again." Terence smiled wider at her transparent attempt to cover that little word.
They rode on, both deep in thought. Then of a sudden Joanna broke into her throaty, most mischievous laugh. As Terence turned questioning eyes to her she held them levelly with her own and raised her eyebrows archly. "I was just thinking how much we have done, how in such a short time we have loved in quite a number of ways already!"
"Some of them entirely new to me." His reply was almost awed.
"And ...", her eyes glittered hungrily, "I still have much to show you, if you will dare it."
"Oh I think I will dare it!"
"Be careful what you commit to my man, you do not yet know the half of what I can offer!"
"Do I not? Yet I trust you woman. And I look forward to whatever surprises you may find for me. And to finding more surprises for you too."
She brooded on that a moment. "Indeed, you have surprised me once or twice already, particularly in your proclivity for inflicting pain. And that pleases me much!" She looked at him boldly, her eyes challenging, and their smiles engaged once more as he threw back her challenge with apparent ease.
His musings ran the gamut of loving in all the forms he had experienced with this girl. Then later he began to consider the replenishment of their purses. He had for a long time thought of a particular, likely very profitable interception of a mail-coach, not half a day's ride from here, but it had seemed too risky, given that it was known the driver and his mate were both pistol-armed. But, with the two of them working together, it would be a different matter!
"Well now my lady highwayman, we have a bargain struck. I have been thinking on our first joint business venture."
She tossed her head at him. "Then tell me!" And for the next half hour they discussed their intended business amiably, though she was still adamant that she should choose the place. They rode slowly, and after two or three hours Terence found his arm was growing stiff once more. He flexed it awkwardly, and Joanna's quick eyes caught the move with concern.
"Terence! You need rest." She looked ahead, spotted a likely copse. "There! We'll look for a sheltered spot in that little wood."
She led the way, dismounting first at the edge of the stand of trees and helping him down from his mare. They threaded through the trees until they found a rough spot large enough to accommodate them. Then, tethering their horses, they gathered up twigs and branches for a fire. Terence scraped out a hearth in the earth, clearing all vegetation to a safe distance, and set the fire. Soon they had a good little blaze going. Joanna sought out fish and vegetables and barley, and a few dried leaves of herbs from amongst their good store of provender, and set all to stewing in a pan of water sitting over the fire.
In less than an hour 's time Terence was sniffing at the tempting aroma hungrily, while Joanna urged him to patience so that the barley should be well softened before they ate. "You will get a belly ache if you don't wait, you boy!" she growled, smiling saucily. Terence found that the particular intonation with which she uttered the word "boy" sent a quite surprisingly pleasant tingle coursing down his spine, so he made no protest at the epithet. Joanna noted this lack of complaint smugly. Terence praised his companion's domestic skills profusely as they ate their fill.
By now it was grown dark and the companions doused the fire and set off for their intersection with the main turnpike, only a few miles distant. Once there, they spied out the land. Inevitably they disagreed over where was the best point to waylay the stagecoach, but they had struck a bargain and so Terence necessarily gave way, though not before he had voiced some protest.
Then Joanna disappeared into the spinney she had chosen for the interception, carrying one of her saddlebags. When she re-emerged a few minutes later Terence smiled. "Now you are the man indeed!" He looked at her chest. Now that he knew the secret hidden under doublet and shirt and tight-laced corset he could see that the little swelling was not quite the right shape for a man, but none would remark it unless they already knew the secret, he was sure. He found himself strangely aroused by her appearance, her blue eyes bright and glittering in the thin strip of flesh revealed between black kerchief and dark, flowing hair. Her movement as always was lithe and her smile when it crinkled at the corners of her eyes was winsome.
When he sighed, Joanna knew he was feeling lustful. It pleased her well to know how he reacted, and more so that he found her alluring in such unlikely garb. Once more her thoughts strayed to musing on what she might yet teach this man who was older but, in some things at least, much less experienced than she. With effort she pulled her mind back to the task at hand, and prepared her pistols.
Meanwhile Terence donned his kerchief, and was rewarded with an appreciative smile in return as the girl saw his dark eyes sparkling. Then he prepared his own pistol, and loosened his rapier in its sheath.
