Page 62 of The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere
The black carriage headed southeast out of London, and from there further south, toward Bromley. Mile after mile they went, the black coach rumbling ahead of them. They didn’t seem to be in much of a hurry, nor did they give any indication they were aware they were being followed.
One of the benefits of being a duke, Benedict thought, bitter anger flooding his chest. It would never occur to Kenilworth he couldn’t do precisely as he wished, no matter how heinous it was. It made Benedict’s stomach roil to think about how many times Kenilworth must have done something as fiendish as this, all while Benedict was oblivious to his perfidy, and all of London was singing his praises.
“There’s a bend in the road up ahead,” Brixton said, startling Benedict from his thoughts. “It’s narrow—too narrow for both carriages to stay on the road.”
“You’re thinking we should come along beside them, and force them into the ditch?” Georgiana peered out the window. “I don’t know, Daniel. That ditch looks deep. The coachmay overturn.”
“Nay, we won’t run ’em off. We can’t risk hurting the duchess and the lad. We’ll get in front of ’em and force ’em to stop once we get to the bend. They can’t get around us there. We’re lighter and quicker than the coach, so it won’t be any trouble to get by ’em, but if they hit us, your carriage may not escape without a battering, Haslemere.”
“I don’t give a damn about the carriage.” All Benedict cared about was keeping Georgiana in one piece, and getting Jane and Freddy safely out of the duke’s hands.
“What about Grigg?” Georgiana asked. “Do you suppose he can manage it? As soon as he gets the carriage into position he’ll need to leap down from the box, just in case they do hit us.”
Benedict stared at her, amazed to hear her discussing a coaching accident with such sangfroid. But then, she was one of Lady Clifford’s girls, and had likely seen things not many young ladies her age had seen.
Ugly things.
He watched the dim shafts of moonlight moving across her face. It was peculiar to him, how she was so experienced in some ways, yet so innocent in others. He’d never known a woman like her—doubted therewasanother woman like her. His chest pinched at the thought, and for a moment he couldn’t catch a breath.
“Benedict?” Georgiana’s brows drew together. “Areyou all right?”
Benedict jerked his attention back to the matter at hand. “Yes, I’m fine, and Grigg is capable.” He and Grigg had been in a few scrapes during their time together, and Grigg had more than proved his skill with the ribbons. Benedict trusted him implicitly. “How far along is the bend?”
“Just up ahead. We need towarn yer man.”
Benedict slid the panel open and called to Grigg, who listened to Brixton’s instructions with unmistakable relish. Grigg was fond of a good dustup now and again, and noddedhis agreement.
“Once he’s stopped the carriage, everyone gets out. Lass, you get to the side of the road while Haslemere and I get intothe coach and—”
“I won’t be of any use to anyone standing on the side of the road, Daniel. No, I’ll follow you to the coach, and see if I can get the duchess andFreddy out of—”
“No!” Benedict’s voice was louder than he’d intended it to be. Georgiana jumped, and even Brixton, whom Benedict had never seen caught off guard before, jerked his head toward Benedict in surprise. “You’ll stay out of the way, just asBrixton says.”
For the first time ever, Brixton gave him an approving look. “Aye. It’s best that way, lass.”
Georgiana didn’t appear to hear him. She was staring at Benedict, her lips tight. “Is that so, my lord? I beg your pardon, but the duchess engaged my services, notyou. My loyalty is to her. As fond as you are at issuing commands, I don’t recall ever agreeing to follow them.”
“Thendon’tfollow my commands. Follow Brixton’s. It makes no difference to me, as long as you keep to the side where you’re less likely to be trampled by a horse or caught beneath the coach’s wheels.”
“This may surprise you, Lord Haslemere, but I’m perfectly capable of—”
“I don’t care what you think you’re capable of, Miss Harley.” On some distant level, Benedict realized he’d lost control, but he was becoming more agitated with every word out of her mouth. He couldn’t stop himself from picturing her bloody, mangled body under the horses’ massive hooves, or worse, with one of Kenilworth’s savage footmen with his hands around her neck.
She didn’t answer, but the expression on her face didn’t inspire confidence. Her lips were tight, and that incredulous eyebrow remained arched, but Benedict refused to give in.
Grigg was urging the horses forward, and they were closing in on the black coach. “They’ve seen us, my lord!” he shouted through the open panel. “Hold on tight, now. I’ll have to speed up to catch them at the bend, and it’ll be a hard stop.”
“Do what you must, Grigg, but see that you catch them.” Benedict braced his feet against the floor, then reached for Georgiana. She squeaked in surprise as he slid her across the bench and tucked her as tightly against the length of his body as he could, to protect her if the coach did hit them.
“Lord Haslemere!” She made an attempt to squirmaway from him.
“Quiet,” Benedict hissed, holding her fast. “All right there, Brixton?”
Brixton snorted. “Don’t worry about me, Haslemere. This won’t be the first time I’ve been knocked about. Just mind ye take careof that lass.”
The sky had gone an ominous black above them. The road was dark, and they were moving at such a brisk pace the view outside the window was an indistinct blur, but Benedict caught a glimpse of the coach as they careened past, a bulky shadow in the darkness. The duke’s horses let out a frightened screech as the carriage sped by them. There was a shout—Grigg, Benedict thought—an answering curse, then a jolt as Grigg wrenched the horses to the left, bringing them broadside across the road.
There was another shout, this one edged with panic. The carriage shuddered around them, every seam creaking as they tipped to the right, listing dangerously until Benedict was sure they’d go over. He closed his eyes and tightened his arms around Georgiana, but just as he’d braced himself for a crash into the ditch, the carriage fell back onto its wheels again with a wrench, sending them all crashingto the floor.
