A Pair of Brave Maids by L.L. Weedon
Lady Saxilby's coach, carrying her and her daughters Joan and Letty down to Iver Hall, overturns near the house when a linch-pin works loose, and her ladyship is badly hurt. Her husband, Lord Saxilby, lies in the Tower on suspicion of Jacobite plotting, and their son Dick has vanished since the arrests. Clobery, a new servant riding with the coachman Giles, helps the party to shelter at a farmhouse. Lady Saxilby reveals she has had word from her husband, by Clobery's own hand, marked with three crosses meaning papers at Iver must be destroyed at once, his life depending on it. Too hurt to travel further, she tells Joan where the hiding place is and which list of names must be burned. Joan and Letty, distrusting Clobery, slip away without telling the maid Phoebe and walk the long, dark way to Iver alone. At the Hall, old Doggory admits them, and Joan finds the hidden papers, only to have Clobery, who followed them, seize the bundle. He reveals himself as the spy who has been seeking this evidence, meaning to carry it to King George. He mocks Joan's offer of money and makes for a window, taunting the girls as he goes. In the corridor a cloaked figure appears, whom Letty recognizes with a cry as their brother Dick, hidden in the house all along. Dick fights Clobery at swordpoint and kills him. The girls explain what has happened, and Dick, with fresh light from Doggory, helps burn the papers. The accusation against Lord Saxilby collapses for lack of evidence, and after some months he and his fellow prisoners are released, reuniting the family at Iver Hall.
By L.L. Weedon · First published 1912 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Suspense/Thriller · 1,865 words
First lines
"GILES, my lady bids you drive more warily!"
Lady Saxilby's coachman turned a wrathful face, red with exertion, towards the speaker, Phoebe. But the coach gave a lurch, and the waiting-maid's head disappeared. The road was terrible, and Giles had his work cut out for him. By his side sat my lard's new servant, Roger Clobery; while inside the lumbering vehicle were Lady Saxilby, her two daughters, and the maid, Phoebe. They were travelling down to Iver Hall, the family country seat, and had already been five days on the road.
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is grounded in 18th-century England during the Jacobite era with period-accurate details including references to the Tower, King George, and Jacobite plots that form the historical backdrop and driving force of the story.
- Adventure — The core narrative centers on a perilous journey undertaken by the young protagonists, involving dangerous encounters, physical challenges, a sword fight, and the constant threat of capture or failure.
- Suspense/Thriller — Escalating tension permeates the narrative as the girls race against time to reach the hidden papers before the spy can claim them, with life-and-death stakes for their father and other Jacobites.
- Spy Fiction — The plot is driven by espionage, featuring a government spy pursuing secret documents, the girls' discovery of the spy's treachery, and the ultimate battle to prevent the papers from reaching the authorities.
Tags
Georgian era · Jacobite rebellion · England · Country estate · Sisters · Bravery · Family loyalty · Danger · Sacrifice · Adventure · Historical fiction · Espionage
What this Textopian page supports
A Pair of Brave Maids is listed on Textopian as a short story by L.L. Weedon, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: L.L. Weedon
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Suspense/Thriller, Spy Fiction, Family Drama
- Length: 1,865 words
- Structure: 1 section, 40 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Pair of Brave Maids by L.L. Weedon
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