Less than fifteen minutes later, Serafina and Willow were seated in the carriage with Martha as it rumbled over the cobblestoned streets. Then, without warning, the vehicle lurched and shuddered to a halt. The sudden bounce and sway knocked Serafina sideways.
Shouts rang out and then came the unmistakable sounds of a struggle.
Serafina exchanged a frightened glance with Martha.
“That was Peter shouting a warning,” Martha whispered, her hand flying to her throat.
“We need to leave. Quickly, out the other door,” Serafina said, gathering Willow close.
But before they could move, the opposite carriage door was wrenched open with brutal force. A hulking brute of a man filled the doorway—coat torn, boots caked with filth, and a face so grimy it looked as though it hadn’t seen soap or civility in years.
Without hesitation, he lunged inside.
Martha screamed and held onto Serafina.
“Yer coming with me, Miss Davies. I have orders to take ye, and it’ll go better if ye don’t make no fuss.”
He glared at Martha, who gasped and held her handkerchief over her nose. “Smell, do I? Ye’d be wise to sit where you are and say nothing, or I’ll be forced to beat you to a pulp like the fancy men driving this carriage.”
Serafina nodded and passed Willow to Martha. “Tell the duchesses and uncle that I’m sorry. But I must go. For everyone’s safety.” Serafina looked meaningfully at the reticule she’d thrown at Martha’s feet. “Don’t forget my reticule.” She hoped Martha would think to look inside where she’d left the note.
As the kidnapper dragged Serafina out of the carriage, Willow gave a low growl as though she wanted to leap at the ruffian and tear his throat out.
“And tell that mongrel to shut its yap, or I’ll throw it in the gutter,” the brute said.
“Miss!” Martha cried out, holding a squirming Willow against her chest. “They’ll hurt you.”
“I have to go,” Serafina whispered. “They will hurt you, too. I can’t risk anyone else being injured. Please take care of Peter and Mr. Herrman. Get them assistance and get home to the duchesses as soon as you can.” Taking a final look at the trembling Martha holding Willow, she said, “I’ll be all right.” She hoped she sounded convincing. The brute shoved a rag into her mouth and carried her away.
Just before he slammed the door shut, she heard Martha scream, “Willow, come back here!”
CHAPTER 12
“Let me through, Adam. I must see my son. This is a matter of life or death,” Dora Coleman, the Dowager Duchess of Richmond, demanded. Richmond, sitting in his office with Danforth and Landon, got up and made his way to the door. Opening it, he asked, “What’s going on? Mother, what brings you all here?”
The burly footman stepped aside, allowing the four ladies to rush past him.
Unfortunately, they all tried to squeeze through at the same time, which only hindered their progress.
“Ladies, we’re not going to save Serafina if we are busy acting like a comedic troupe,” Dora whispered harshly.
The three other ladies stepped behind her.
“We’re just so worried,” Rosalind said, falling in behind Dora as the four golden duchesses lined up, one behind the other, and filed into the room.
“What is going on, Mother?” Richmond said, stepping back into the room. Landon and Danforth had risen as well.
“She’s gone, Richmond,” Dora cried. “Serafina was kidnapped from the carriage…she and her dog, Willow. That blackguard sent ruffians to take her. She was on her way tosee you after getting a note, which appears to be from Baron Grimsby.” Dora waved the note at him and promptly burst into tears. Her friends, who were also crying, huddled around her in support.
“Mother, ladies, calm yourselves,” Richmond said, taking his mother’s hand. “Calm down and tell me everything. He took the note and scanned it, his jaw clenched. He handed the note to Danforth, who read it with Landon.
“It was in her reticule, which she left with Martha,” Sophy added. “Our footman, Peter—the big one, and Serafina’s maid, Martha, rushed home after it happened. Peter and Mr. Herrman, the driver, were battered and bleeding. They said five men stopped the carriage and attacked them.”
Dora took a shaky breath. “Oh, son. We must find her.”
“We will, Mother. I promise. We will find her,” Richmond said in a steely voice. “And we will deal with the baron.”
“We just discovered that Grimsby has a warehouse on the other side of town. It’s in his mother’s name,” Danforth said, his face a steel mask.
