Gregory reached across the desk and handed Levi a piece of paper. “This is where you can find Lady Prudence, assuming my information is correct. I wish you good luck.” He rose to his feet and turned to Caroline. “I hope your sister is returned to you swiftly, and I do hope my good friend Levi allows you to participate in recovering her,” he said. “You seem very devoted to her.”
“I would do anything for my sister.”
“Then she’s lucky to have you,” Gregory said. He inclined his head toward Caroline and took his leave.
Levi gritted his teeth. “I suppose you really are going to insist on doing things your way.”
“That’s right. I really am. If she’s out there, I’m never going to stop looking for her. This is my sister we are talking about. I need to know where she is. I need to see her for myself and know that she’s all right. Until I do that, I will never be able to feel at ease again. I know you’ve done all you can to make me happy in this life, but I won’t be happy here until I know that Prudence is in good hands, wherever she is.”
She meant it. Levi could see that. And he could also see that there was nothing he could do to dissuade her. The best thing he could do now was to try to make sure that whatever happened, she was responsible and safe.
“Very well,” he said. “If you’re going to come with me, then here are the rules. You will do everything I tell you. You will follow my instructions to the letter. You will not argue. You will not run off and do things your own way. If you do any of that, I will be forced to turn around and bring you back home, and I will leave you here under the guard of several members of my staff so you are unable to leave the premises. Now, if you can agree to those conditions, and if you can keep them, then I am willing to bring you with me. Decide now.”
Her face was pale, but determined. “I’ll agree,” she said, nodding.
“All right. Change into something else. Not that peasant outfit you have, dress as a woman. But something you can move about easily in while we are out walking around. I’ll get a carriage ready and meet you back here.”
She nodded. “Thank you, Levi.”
Levi watched her go. Strange as it was, he found that he believed her. He had faith that she would cooperate with him and do things the way he was asking her to. And if she would do that, then he couldn’t see any real harm in having her along. After all, they weren’t going into a dangerous situation. If Gregory’s news was correct, they were going to find Lady Prudence at a friend’s house. That ought to be perfectly safe.
He left his study and pulled the door closed behind him. With luck, they would find a young lady today. But he had to admit that he was nervous about facing her. Things had not gonesmoothly between the two of them, and he couldn’t forget that his original arrangement with Caroline’s father had been for a marriage with Lady Prudence. He was still angry with her for running away from him, even though he was happy about the marriage in which he had ended up.
What would it be like to see her again?
He wasn’t sure how he would react. Being around her was sure to be unpleasant, because it would remind him of what had happened. And even though he was happy with the outcome, that had been humiliating. He didn’t like knowing that a lady had run rather than be married to him. That she had been willing to risk disgrace over a marriage to him. She had to explain herself. That was all there was to it. And once they found her, there would be the opportunity for her to do just that.
He nodded resolutely and went out to the foyer to await Caroline.
She must’ve been in a hurry, because she was already running down the stairs when he stepped out to meet her. Startled, he held up both hands in her direction. “What are you doing?”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t run on the stairs. You could fall.”
She laughed, but she did slow to a walk. “You’re going to be worrying about me like this all day, aren’t you?” She reached thebottom of the stairs and stood beside him. “I overheard what your friend told you. He said that Prudence is just at someone’s house, that she’s there because she chooses to be. There’s nothing to be worried about.”
She was practically bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet, and he could see clearly how excited she was. Relief must have been coursing through her. He had to admit, it was good to feel confident that Lady Prudence had come to no harm. He could only imagine how Caroline must be feeling about it. But even so, caution was still warranted.
“I know you are excited to go and find her,” he told her. “But you must remember the promise you gave me.”
“I won’t forget.”
“And you promise to stick to it?”
“I’ve already given you my word.”
“Say it again. I want to be certain.”
She sighed. “I promise you that whatever you tell me to do, I will do it. I won’t make things difficult for you.”
“It’s not making things difficult that worries me,” he said. “You’re impulsive. I worry that you’ll put yourself in danger if something unexpected happens. And if you do, I’ll have no choice but to go after you. If you make me choose betweenprotecting you and finding your sister, I will choose you. So please keep that in mind.”
Some of the color left her face, but she nodded. “You won’t have to make that choice,” she assured him. “I’ll stick to my word. I promise.”
“Very well, then. The carriage should be ready for us. Let’s go. I have the address of the house in my pocket.”
They made their way outside. Sure enough, the carriage was already waiting for them. They walked to it, and Levi opened the door and helped Caroline inside. Then he walked to the driver and handed the man the paper with the address of their destination.
