Page 61 of The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere
How much would his inattention cost him? How much would it cost Georgiana, Jane, and Freddy? What was Kenilworth hiding? Whatever it was, he was going to great lengths to keep anyone from discovering it. First Draven, and now Jane and Freddy. The thought of his sweet, gentle sister and young nephew at the mercy of such a man made Benedict shudder.
“What’s happened?” Georgiana was hurrying down the stairs. “It’s not the duchess, is it?”
Benedict gave her a grim nod. “Both Jane and Freddy. Grigg saw a traveling coach waiting outside the Grosvenor Street mansion. Kenilworth’s sending them away from London. I know it.”
“Dear God. Quickly, then. They’ll havea start on us.”
“I want you to go with them, Daniel,” Lady Clifford said. “Do whatever you must to prevent their leaving London. Once you’ve recovered them, bring them back here. I’ll make arrangements to keep them safe while we decide what to do.”
Georgiana was halfway out the door, but Benedict caught her arm. “No, Georgiana. You’re staying here. Brixtonand I will go.”
“No. I’m going with you.” Georgiana jerked her arm free. “The duchess came to me for my help, my lord. I’m not going to abandon her now when she needs it more than ever.”
“For God’s sake, Georgiana, will you listen to reason? It’s notsafe. How can I focus on Jane and Freddy if I’m trying to keepan eye on you?”
“You don’t need to keep an eye on me. I’m perfectly able to take care of myself.”
Benedict glanced at Lady Clifford, hoping she’d support him, but she was looking at Georgiana with an unmistakable look of pride on her face. He threw up his hands in frustration. “You’re all mad, every last one of you.”
“Benedict, please. I can’t just stay here, waiting and worrying. I promise you I can take care of myself.” Georgiana touched his arm, a wry twist to her lips. “I may even beable to help.”
“We’re wasting time, Haslemere,” Brixton growled. “Letthe lass come.”
“It doesn’t look as if I have any choice.” Benedict was far from reconciled to the idea, but for once, Brixton was right. There was no time toargue about it.
They didn’t speak as they hurried into Benedict’s carriage and Grigg drove them to Grosvenor Square. Benedict could hardly think as they rattled through London. What would they do if Jane and Freddy were already gone? It had been nearly half an hour since Grigg appeared in Maddox Street. How would they find them then? Even if they did have the good luck to catch up to them, how would they get them awayfrom the duke—
“Look,” Georgiana said softly, laying her hand on Benedict’s arm. “Just there.”
Grigg, who knew to be cautious, had stopped the carriage on the corner of North Audley and Brook Street, out of sight of the Kenilworth mansion, but close enough so they could see what was happening on the other end of Grosvenor Street.
Brixton grunted. “If the duke wanted to hide ’em, he should have had ’em taken out through the mews. Fool.”
Benedict had gone still, anger rushing like poison through his veins. Just as Grigg had said, a traveling coach was waiting in front of the house. It was luxuriously appointed, but black, and unmarked.
“It looks as if the duke intends for them to take a lengthy journey.” Georgiana watched out the window as two servants dragged out a heavy trunk and loaded itonto the coach.
“A lengthy,secretjourney,” Benedict said. “There’s no crest on the door. That’sa hired coach.”
There was no sign of Kenilworth, but a burly footman was hurrying a petite lady down the front steps to the open carriage door. A veiled hat covered her face, but it was certainly Jane. A second footman followed, half-dragging a little boy behind him. The boy was similarly disguised with a cap pulled low over his face, but Benedict would know Freddy anywhere.
“Thatvillain.” Benedict scrabbled for the door, half-crazed with fury and fear. “I’m going to bloody kill him—”
Brixton stopped him. “Nay, my lord. Stay where ye are, and let them go.”
“Let themgo? Damnation, man, you’re mad if you think I’m going to let that blackguard kidnap my sister and nephew!”
“Nothing ye can do about it, Haslemere. Kenilworth’s her husband. He wants her to go, she goes, no matter if ye like it or not. You try and stop it, the duke will have ye taken up,and then what?”
Georgiana squeezed his arm. “Daniel’s right, Benedict. There’s nothing you can do just now.”
Benedict sucked in a breath, struggling to get control of himself. Brixton was right, damn him. He’d only make it worse if he charged into the middle of it. “What do you suggest then, Brixton? Because I’ll be damned if I let that scoundrel take my family.”
“They won’t get far. We’ll let ’em get out of London. It’s dark, ye see?” Brixton’s mouth stretched into a bloodthirsty grin. “It’s not safe, traveling in the dark. Anything can happen once ye get onto a deserted country road, eh?”
Benedict blinked. He’d never seen Brixton smile before. It was…disturbing, but what the man said made sense. It would be much better to follow the black carriage at a discreet distance, and strike when there were no witnesses about. There were only two footmen and the coachman, and they wouldn’t be expecting an attack.
Even so, it took every shred of Benedict’s control to sit still while Jane and Freddy were shoved into the carriage. The footmen climbed in after them, and a second later the coachman brought the ribbons down on thehorse’s backs.
