Page 69 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

Stars. Had she fallen into a deep slumber on a short trip across town? Mayhap she had, for she was exhausted since she’d been up most of the night making love to Evan.

Her smile was short-lived because a bolt of fear slammed into her chest. Something was very wrong.

She peered out the window. Trees, trees, and more trees. She was in the middle of a forest, but one didn’t pass through forests to get to Yardley Manor from The Crown Jewel. At least not in a vehicle traveling across town. Which could mean only one thing. But what kind of maniac kidnapped a woman in the daylight on a main street?

Only one name came to mind.

“Greyson,” she growled between clenched teeth.

She pounded on the roof of the carriage. It continued rolling forward.

“Stop,” she yelled. “Stop the carriage this instant!”

Unfortunately, the coach sped up, and dozens of trees whizzed by.

Chapter twenty-eight

July 8th, 1818

Asweltering heat had settled over the seaside resort, and merciless fingers of terror wrapped around Evan’s throat and squeezed as he sprinted the short distance from Justine’s inn to Yardley Manor. Sweat soaking his body, he charged through the halls and barged into Harrington’s study.

His friend’s eyes were closed, and his feet were propped on his desk. The bloody man had been unpleasantly aggressive the past few days, and he’d decided to relax at a time like this?

“I told you something was wrong,” Evan announced.

Harrington took his time opening his eyes. “Good God, man. I’ve told you she is always late. She probably didn’tlike the way her hair looked. We were once two hours late for dinner with the queen because my sister couldn’t decide between two frocks.” Harrington rolled his eyes. “They were both purple. Looked exactly the same if you ask me.”

Evan stomped forward. “She left your aunt’s inn almost an hour ago.” He should lean across the desk, grab his infuriating friend by the lapel, and shake sense into him.

Harrington’s brow furrowed. “An hour ago? Then where in the devil is she?”

“Her driver returned while I was there,” Evan explained. “He said someone ran in front of his carriage. When he stopped to avoid him, two men leaped upon him and tossed him into the street.”

Harrington’s heavy boots hit the floor with athud. “What the bloody hell?”

Evan’s sentiments exactly.

Anna entered the room, wringing her hands. “I am quite worried. The horses are becoming restless, and Katrina still has not shown up.” Her gaze slid from her husband to Evan. “Has something happened to her?”

“She is missing,” Evan said. “Someone commandeered her carriage on the way here. Whoever did it left Justine’s driver in the street with a bloody nose and a black eye.”

Anna gasped. “Who would do such a thing?” Her eyes widened as she answered her own question. “Lord Greyson?”

“Yes,” Evan and Harrington growled at the same time.

But Greyson wouldn’t chance being seen on the main street.

“I am certain he hired the men who have Katrina,” Evan said.

Probably the same bootlickers who’d attacked the groundskeepers before the Cricket match.

Anna whimpered. “Where do you think he is taking her?”

Although Evan’s stomach roiled, this was no time to be weak. Willing his breakfast to settle, he swallowed bile. “We need to make haste and find her. Are you coming?” he called over his shoulder as he headed toward the door.

Harrington followed Evan into the hallway. “It sounds as though they have an hour lead on us.”

All the more reason to hurry.