Tupper nodded with purpose, no hint of surprise in his expression. “Has the man in question a coach?”
“I think not, though he may have access to one.”
“’Twould be a fine friend indeed to lend him a coach and four for such a ride,” Tupper noted. “He would be out his team for close to a fortnight.”
“The gentleman in question has a curricle,” Eliza supplied.
“He will not be riding so far in that,” Tupper said with confidence. “It will be the stagecoach for them, then, and they will be on the Great North Road.” He pivoted and shouted. “Hawkins! Ride to The Angel and enquire whether the lady and her escort have been seen there.”
Nicholas stepped toward Hawkins to give that stablehand a description. “Take Sterling as he is saddled.” The younger man rode out of the stable moments later, and Eliza heard Sterling’s hoof beats as he trotted down the alley.
“We will see you there, Hawkins, as soon as might be,” Tupper called after him, then nodded to Eliza. “We will do our best to find her, my lady. In ten minutes, we will be ready to depart. Be warned that it may be a cold ride. Winter is not out of the wind yet.”
“I will ask for a warming brick and fetch a heavy cloak. I thank you, Tupper.” Eliza turned to find Nicholas watching her, his expression inscrutable.
“You should not embark on this endeavor, Mrs. North,” he said softly. “It is too much for you to undertake such inconvenience and I would not see your own welfare at risk.”
“Yet I join it willingly to repair my own error. It is not only gentlemen who have their honor to defend.”
“His Grace would not approve,” Nicholas said with a frown.
“On the contrary, Captain Emerson, my brother would understand perfectly. Were he here, I would cede to him taking my place in the party, but alas, he is gone. It is my fault. I should have sent word to your aunt myself instead of trusting Miss Emerson to tell her of the change. I knew your sister was inclined to mischief.”
Nicholas’ expression remained grim and he did not argue this last. “But surely you see the impropriety of our sharing a carriage for so many hours.”
He did not even wish to be alone with her. Eliza straightened. It was one matter that he loved another woman, but she had thought they might be friends. “I see us as allies in a common goal, Captain Emerson,” she said coolly and his gaze clung to hers in a way she might have mistaken had she not known the truth. “That objective being the good fortune of your sister.”
“Yet I will not see your reputation tainted as reward for your kindness.” He was resolute. “I will ride with Tupper, Mrs. North, if you refuse to remain here.”
And with that, Nicholas turned away.
Eliza raised her voice slightly, and he halted as soon as she spoke. “I remind you, Captain Emerson, that you owe me a secret.”
Nicholas pivoted crisply and Eliza met his gaze in challenge.
“I would not withdraw my brother’s resources from this quest, but I would think your honor markedly diminished if you did not keep your part of the wager. This journey will provide the opportunity for you to do as much.” Before he could reply, Eliza turned away, hastening to gather her belongings and inform her mother. She was a fool and then some to hunger after mere moments in Nicholas’ company. He would deny her even this and she would love him until the end of her days all the same.
How she envied the woman who had claimed his heart!
Helena Emerson was cold.
Her dress had not been intended for traveling and her slippers had certainly not been designed for the muck at coaching inns. Their silk was stained beyond repair, plus they were soaked through. Her aunt always said there was no greater misery than wet feet and Helena found herself in reluctant agreement.
Eloping was rather less romantic than she had hoped. After some hours in a mail coach that was far from luxuriously appointed, Helena was convinced that she was black and blue. She also knew that her new dress was soiled and suspected that her person might be...fragrant.
Worst of all, Ethan seemed to have lost interest in her person. His charming manner was diminished, and when he spoke to her, he seemed to be distracted or even impatient. Was this what the prospect of matrimony did to a man? She sorely regretted ever agreeing to his proposal, for she could not tolerate an entire lifetime of such indifference.
She was wedged in the corner, trapped between the coach and the considerable bulk of a sturdy woman who had claimed the forward-facing seat with remarkable agility at The Angel. A young girl sat on the other side of this woman and was evidently traveling with the lady in question. Ethan sat opposite them, staring fixedly out the window and making no effort at conversation at all. Helena had a healthy urge to kick him—or worse. The rain had started when they left London and now drummed on the roof of the coach with steady vigor. The girl fell asleep and the woman put her arm around her, a comforting gesture that made Helena feel all the more alone.
And it was her own fault.
She shivered, stifling a sneeze.
“That cape of yours is fine enough but it wouldn’t keep a flea warm in summer,” the woman said, her tone confidential. “Did I catch a coach to a masquerade ball in error?” She laughed at her own jest. “If so, I am woefully underdressed, to be sure.”
Helena smiled thinly. “I daresay not, madame.”
“Madame,” the woman echoed and offered a meaty hand. “Agnes Dawlish, it is, Mrs. D. they call me, wife of the solicitor in Carting Corners, near Colsterworth.” Her grip was resolute, like that of a man, but the glint in her eyes was kindly. “This here is my daughter, Flora.” The girl stirred, nestling against her mother more comfortably. Mrs. D. smiled down at her with an affection that made Helena ache.
