“But I cancelled our engagement.”
“And she created opportunity from that,” he said through his teeth. “They are some three hours ahead of me.” He returned to the harness, working quickly. “I cannot fathom why she left with him at all,” he continued in frustration. “Melbourne told you that he had an inheritance of six thousand pounds a year. Why would he not simply speak to my aunt?”
Eliza’s eyes widened when she realized she knew more than Nicholas. “I had no opportunity to tell you.” He turned to look at her, his eyes vehemently blue. “Lady Wentworth confided that could not be true. Mr. Melbourne’s father is yet alive, and worse, in no situation to grant such an inheritance to any of his sons, certainly not the youngest.”
Nicholas swore so thoroughly that Eliza blinked, then apologized.
“Your vexation is thoroughly understandable, Captain Emerson, but I fear a measure of the fault is mine.”
“Nonsense!”
“I should have sent word to your aunt of the change of plans,” Eliza said.
“You could not have guessed that Helena would trick her.”
“But it was my obligation. I was her chaperone, and charged with her welfare.”
“It is done, Mrs. North. I will see it resolved now.”
“No,” Eliza argued, her tone so sharp that Nicholas looked up. “I must take responsibility for my part in this, and endeavor to set matters to rights.”
“I will retrieve my sister, Mrs. North.”
“You are not thinking clearly,” she chided and Nicholas flicked a hot look her way, never pausing in his labor. “Sterling cannot run to Scotland and you know it well.”
“I will change horses as necessary.”
“You cannot ride all that way without relief.”
“Watch me,” he vowed grimly. “My sister’s reputation is at stake.”
“No, it is not a sensible course and you must realize as much,” Eliza said. “We will use Damien’s resources. He would never protest against it, seeing as I had an unwitting part in the situation.” She turned to Tupper without waiting for Nicholas’ inevitable protest. The stablemaster, an imposing man of some fifty summers who taught Eliza herself to ride, waited a suitable distance away. Undoubtedly he had guessed that there would be labor this night. “Tupper, we ride for Haynesdale without delay.”
“Yes, my lady.” He bowed, directing stablehands and grooms with gestures even as he replied to her. “His Grace has taken the smaller carriage to Dover. Will the larger coach suit?”
“Perfectly, Tupper. We may be three on our return and the space may be welcome.”
“Very good, my lady.” Tupper pivoted. “Oy! The bays! Make haste!” Stablehands hastened to follow his command and even the horses stamped with his urgency.
“Haynesdale?” Nicholas protested. “They make for Gretna Green.”
“And Haynesdale lies a third the distance to Scotland,” Eliza said. She met his gaze. “If we do not find her before they pause for a night, there will be considerably less cause for haste.” She watched his lips tighten and he turned away, but did not dispute this truth.
“Haynesdale is over a hundred miles distant, my lady,” Tupper contributed gruffly when she turned back to him. “If you intend to ride in haste, you will need to change horses at least twice, perhaps thrice.”
“Precisely, Tupper. Please send grooms with us that they might tend the duke’s team where we first change, until they can be collected on our return to London. His Grace will have no patience with the surrender of his horses.”
“Indeed he will not, my lady.” Tupper snapped his fingers and two young men straightened, a flick of his hand sending them to gather their belongings. “I will drive you myself, my lady, the better that you not be disadvantaged when you do stop. I know the road well.”
“Excellent, Tupper.” It was a relief to know that his experience would aid in their journey. “And I will send word to Haynesdale that they might be prepared for us. I should think we might arrive there tomorrow for dinner.” Eliza invited the stablemaster’s opinion of that.
Tupper frowned, undoubtedly calculating, before he spoke. “Likely later than that, my lady, depending upon the road. Rain is promised, after all, and the roads will suffer from it. I would endeavor to reach there by midnight but even that may be ambitious.”
“And by then the die will be cast,” Nicholas said. He came to stand beside Eliza. “We will have to stop at every coaching inn to enquire after her.”
Tupper’s brows rose but he did not speak.
“You might as well know the truth of it,” Nicholas said to him. “My sister endeavors to elope to Gretna Green and I would stop her, if possible.”
