Page 82 of The Unfortunate Debutante
“For what purpose?”
“He knows that by abducting Emma, and killing a marquess, he’s going to get a lot of attention, and the Sheriff of London will hunt him down personally,” Simeon explained. “He would want to lie low for a few weeks until it’s safe to travel on the roads again.”
“Agreed,” Pembrooke said. “I’ll look through bills of sale and see if I can find anything suspicious.” He turned his gaze towards Luke. “I would be happy to call a doctor for you.”
“Not necessary. I’m sure Eliza will send for one once she sees me,” Downshire responded as he walked over to the coach.
Simeon followed him and climbed up onto the driver’s box. “If you discover any additional information, please send it to Lord Lansdowne’s residence.”
“Perhaps it would be best if we reported this incident to Justice Ford before we proceed,” Pembrooke suggested.
“Good idea,” Simeon said, reaching for the reins. “You report this to Justice Ford, and I’ll drive Downshire to his sister’s house.”
Without waiting for Pembrooke to say another word, he urged the horses into a run and didn’t stop until they pulled up in front of Eliza’s townhouse.
Two footmen exited the main door and came to secure the coach as Simeon and Downshire jumped down and ran inside.
“Eliza!” Downshire shouted, his voice echoing off the floors of the marble entrance hall. “Where in the blazes are you?”
Benedict stepped out from the drawing room with his daughter, Caroline, in his arms. “What happened to you, Luke?”
“Lockhart abducted Emma,” Simeon answered.
Eliza’s steady voice came from the top of the stairs. “When?”
“About twenty minutes ago,” Downshire shared.
Placing her hand on her increasing stomach, Eliza turned towards a footman stationed at the bottom of the stairs and ordered, “Go inform Lord Camden that his presence is requested in our drawing room immediately.”
To Simeon’s surprise, the footman ran up the stairs to the second landing to do her bidding. His expression must have given away his curiosity because Eliza shared, “Adrien was gracious enough to add a door on the second landing between our two townhouses.”
“Interesting,” he muttered.
“Adrien is a bloody nuisance at times,” Benedict said, his tone holding only mirth, “but the door has proven useful on multiple occasions.”
A maid approached Benedict and announced, “It’s time for her nap, milord.”
Benedict kissed his daughter on the cheek and handed her off to the maid.
The maid walked Caroline up to Eliza, who had just stepped down from the last stair, and she also kissed her daughter on the cheek. “I love you,” she whispered. Then her tone grew alert as she turned her gaze towards the group. “Follow me to the drawing room. We have much to discuss.”
Following Eliza into the drawing room, Simeon waited until she lowered herself down onto a velvet settee before he sat across from her. Downshire walked over to the drink cart and poured himself a drink. After he downed it, he poured himself another.
Holding the glass in his hand, Downshire started, “Lockhart ambushed us, killing some of my footmen, and almost killing me. But Emma stepped in front of me and pled for my life. She sacrificed herself to save me, but Lockhart has no honor and intended to kill me all along.”
The sound of pounding footsteps on the marble floor alerted them to Camden’s arrival. He ran into the drawing room. “What’s the emergency?” he asked in between deep breaths.
“Lockhart abducted Emma,” Benedict shared.
Camden’s eyes grew alert. “What’s the plan?”
Simeon spoke up. “We don’t know where Lockhart is.”
“Since he intends to wed Emma, he could very well be traveling towards Gretna Greens,” Eliza surmised.
“True, but I’m still under the mindset that Lockhart won’t dare travel on the roads for fear the Sheriff of London might overtake him,” Simeon shared.
Downshire brought the snifter up to his lips. “If I had known Lockhart was capable of such dreadful actions, I would never have brought my family to London for the Season. This is all my fault.”
