“I do not disagree,” Adela admitted. “What do you think will be the top story in the gossip rags tomorrow?”
CHAPTER 14
ADELA WAS SURPRISEDwhen she opened The Tattler and saw not a mention of her or Ambrose or Lady Victoria. “Perhaps Lady Felicity Rose has reformed her evil ways,” she said when Ambrose stopped by the following morning to pick her up on his way to the Huntsford Academy. They would also pick up Syd and Gory along their route. “I cannot find anything in this gossip rag about us.”
“She hasn’t reformed in the least, but a threat from me put a stop to the article they were planning to run. It did not hurt that I had Octavian with me. He is strong enough to smash their printing press with his bare hands.”
Adela’s eyes widened. “Dear heaven, what did the article say?”
He rubbed a hand across the nape of his neck. “Stupid words.”
She rolled her eyes. “I know they had to be stupid, but what exactly were they? I’m sure you can recite themverbatim.”
“Yes, but what is the point when you already know it is meant to be hurtful?”
“Ambrose, you needn’t shield me. I’ll only imagine something worse than they were going to print.”
“Oh, all right. Here’s what they were going to run…Is Duke H already straying? It is rumored the rakish duke arranged an assignation with the married Lady W while at supper with his betrothed.”
“It said more than that, didn’t it?” She knew how petty Felicity Rose was and how hurtful she wanted to be. Yes, alluding to an assignation between Ambrose and Lady Victoria was hurtful enough, but the girl must have added something more to specifically ridicule her. “She referred to me as a country cow again, didn’t she? Tell me the rest of it.”
He winced. “No, it is utter rot and nonsense.”
“Your expression tells me everything I need to know. I can fill the rest of it in.Is Duke H already regretting his mistake in marrying the country cow? Will there be a wedding on Saturday? How long before Duke H forsakes his marital bed to join Lady W in hers?”
“I’m sorry, Adela. I wish I could gag her. But at least The Tattler is not ever going to print any of that tripe Felicity Rose is dishing out.”
“Let’s hope you are right. In the meantime, I will try to harden my heart to such wicked comments. I suppose I will have to learn how once I am your duchess.”
He put his arms around her. “I don’t know that you ever will. It requires one to erect stone walls around one’s heart and not let anything or anyone in. I hope you never have to do this. We can talk more about it in the carriage. Shall we go?”
“Yes, let’s get out of here before Eloise wakes. It is one of her ‘at home’ days, and I do not want to be around if any of those clots who showed up last time dare to show up again today. Are you still planning on meeting Mr. Barrow at your home at four o’clock this afternoon?”
“Yes, do you want to join me?”
“Of course! I would love to be there to congratulate him on a job well done.”
Ambrose rubbed a hand across the nape of his neck again. “About that…”
A chill ran through Adela, for she instantly suspected something was amiss. “Oh, no. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I’m sure. It’s just that Runyon slipped out the grasp of the constables who arrested him. It happened at some point after the Bow Street men had turned him over to their custody. Mr. Barrow’s men are assisting in the search and will have him shortly. They will not take their eyes off him until he is securely behind bars, which he will be soon. How many places can he have to hide?”
“Not too many, I expect,” she said, trying to hide her dismay.
Ambrose gave her cheek a light caress. “Adela, do not fret. They will catch him today if they did not already find him last night.”
“They must not have come upon him yet or they would have sent word to you if they had. Oh, I hope he does not get away. Do you think he knows about the magistrate’s men and your Mr. Barrow visiting his sister last night? He must have. That sort of news has a way of spreading like wildfire. He will not dare try to hide out with her. Too bad, for now we’ll have to figure out another place where he might hide.”
“It does not matter. I’m sure he has run out of places and Mr. Barrow will get him. Have you had a chance to sort through the pouch? Are your notes all there?”
She nodded. “I tore it apart the moment I got home last night. Everything is there. Have you restored the Jovian book to your library?”
“Yes. Julius took it over there this morning. It is happily back in its place by now.”
“I’m glad. It’s recovery is also worthy of a starred page in my diary. You know how much its loss tore me apart.”
He gave her cheek another light caress. “I know, Adela. But it was never your fault. Gather your things and let’s go.”
