“Where is she now then? Still at Portsmouth’s house?” Henry asked, having observed the exchange from the porch.
“Yes,” she said as he led her up the steps and into the house. “He left her there. Who knows what Portsmouth will get up to now that she has so openly defied him? I must help her. Please, Christopher,” she turned to him as they stood in the parlor. “She is in danger, I know it. The letter was forced. She would never write in such a manner, not to me. I must help her.”
He nodded, understanding at once that their trip to Gretna Green was again on hold. Of course, he knew that Betsy’s safety was paramount to anything else.
“I will go there myself and get her. Do not fret. We shall return her here.” A thought entered his mind. “Perhaps if your Father sees just how untrustworthy Thornmouth is, we will not be forced to go to Gretna Green after all.”
Her eyes widened at the prospect. “If not my Father, then my Mother for she loves Betsy like a daughter.” The prospect of possibly being able to wed the love of his life in a righteous manner after all, and thus enabling his brother to court Lady Catherine, eased Christopher’s mind. However, the young Miss Carmichael had to be rescued first and foremost.
“I shall take a horse and ride to Bedfordshire; I will ride all night if I must.”
“I wish to come with you,” Rowena said, determination in her voice. Christopher exchanged a glance with Henry, who cleared his throat.
“Lady Rowena, it might not be advisable for you to take on such a journey. Besides, Lord Portsmouth might be in rather a foul mood at the prospect of having Miss Carmichael removed from his home. It is best you remain here, safely with my uncle. I will go with Christopher.”
She sighed but then nodded in agreement.
“I supposed you are right, but will I not be an imposition upon your Uncle?”
“I am certain he will love your company, as will our aunt” Henry said with a smile. “Now Christopher, as for the horses, it may be wiser to find a carriage, as we must transport the young woman back with us.”
The door to the downstairs drawing room opened and their uncle stepped into the parlor. Glancing around the small group, he furrowed his eyebrows.
“What is this then? And–” his gaze settled on Rowena and a smile appeared on his face. “Well, if it isn’t Lady Rowena Burton,” he bowed before her and she returned the gesture with a curtsy.
Even when in distress, she is still ever the lady.
“My Lord,” she nodded her head when she rose.
“What is this I heard about the need for a carriage?”
This time, it was Henry who took it upon himself to tell their uncle what had occurred. When he concluded, Uncle Nestor gave one curt nod and slapped his hands together.
“Right. I will have a carriage readied at once. You are in luck. I have horses stabled at posting houses at Barnet and St. Albans, as it is on the way to Pemberose Manor. You will have to find another posting house closer to Bedfordshire, but that ought to do you for the first part of the journey. Hanks!” he called out rather loudly, and the butler appeared at once.
“Have the carriage readied, as my nephews will be needing it. And have Mrs. Dorchester prepare a room for our guest, Lady Rowena.”
The butler bowed and rushed off to attend to his tasks.
“Now,” Uncle Nestor rubbed his hands together once more “Are we expecting any visitors who might be in search of Lady Rowena in your absence?”
Christopher exchanged glances with Rowena and Henry, answering his uncle’s question.
“Very well, perhaps the young lady and I can return to the drawing room and join your aunt. We may come up with a plan to handle any such visitors. Meanwhile, you and Henry might ready yourself for the journey.” He looked Christopher up and down.
He was dressed in a fine pair of pantaloons as well as his new tailcoat, the very same one he had made for Lady Catherine’s coming-out ball just a few weeks ago.
“This is what you were going to don for the journey to Gretna Green? Christopher,” Uncle Nestor shook his head. “Such fine attire would be tarnished at once.” He turned to Lady Rowena, “I must say, my nephew could indeed do with the firm hand of a capable wife.” He motioned for the drawing room, “My wife, Lady Totham would surely be glad for your company.”
Rowena took Uncle Nestor’s arm and retreated into the drawing room, leaving Christopher and Henry to prepare for the journey to Bedfordshire.
* * *
“Now, with three changes at the posting houses, you should be there in just under five hours. Perhaps six.” Uncle Nestor said as they were boarding the carriage behind his London home.
Rowena stood back. Their aunt, Helene, had not joined them. Her arthritis made walking almost impossible for her and thus she tended to remain confined to a chair in the living room.
“Thank you ever so much, Uncle, for everything you’ve done,” Christopher felt himself growing emotional as his uncle smiled at him.
