‘I think they are working for your cousin,’ Hope whispered back half hoping he would kiss her again. What the devil was wrong with her, thinking about kissing at a time like this?
‘How are we going to get away,’ she continued trying to ignore the feeling of his mouth so close to her ear.
Gabriel heard her speak but was finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate on her words. What the bloody hell had possessed him to suggest they move into this position? And what kind of goat was he that he was actually dwelling on the shape of her in his arms? But no matter how tempting an armful she was, he didn’t believe himself capable of getting up off the floor unaided, let alone anything further.
Sighing, he closed his eyes and let his head rest against the hard ground. He could still smell the underlying lavender scent of her hair. ‘I do not think I am recovered enough to effect an escape,’ he murmured to the back of her head. ‘I fear if I attempt any heroics, I will get us both killed.’ He felt her nod and hated himself for the putting her in such an untenable situation. She had only him for protection and in all honesty, in his current weakness, he suspected he might be worse than useless.
That said, he would die before he allowed either of the bastards to lay a hand on her person.
They lay in silence for a few moments and gradually he became aware that her body was shaking and with a sinking heart realised she was crying though trying very hard to stifle it.
‘Please don’t weep,’ he whispered huskily, raising his head to murmur directly in her ear again. ‘I will not allow any harm to come to you, I swear. My guess is they are taking us to Northwood Court. The journey there is at least two or three days and I will bide my time and gather my strength. As soon as I am well enough, we will escape from these varmints.’ Unable to help himself, he pressed another light kiss on the top of her ear.
Again, he felt her nod and slowly her silent sniffles began to lessen until eventually her breathing deepened and he realised she was asleep.
Gabriel tightened his arm around her. Never had he experienced such an array of emotions for a woman. He felt humbled that she so willingly put her trust in him, fiercely protective as though she belonged only to him and desperately afraid he would let her down.
He didn’t know when it had happened but Hope Shackleford had succeeded in getting under his skin in a manner no other female had ever done, and he was achingly aware that when the time came, he would find it almost unbearable to let her go. But let her go he must if they were to stand even the remotest chance of a future together.
For himself, Gabriel knew he had to see this through. He could no longer hide like a coward away from Henry Atwood. Whatever happened, he was determined to see an end to it.
∞∞∞
The Duke of Blackmore was reluctant to send word to Reverend Shackleford concerning the kidnapping of his daughter, mostly because the clergyman could not be trusted not to set off at half cock with some wild idea of rescuing Hope and subsequently getting everybody killed. The fact that the Reverend had succeeded in the past where others had failed, did not sway him in the least. Augustus Shackleford was entirely a loose cannon, and on this occasion, Nicholas was determined he would remain out of it.
That said, his grace did not in all conscience feel as though he could simply lie to a man of the cloth, a conundrum he expressed to Grace when he grimly appraised her of what he and Malcolm believed had happened.
They were seated in the Duke’s study along with the valet and the remains of their dinner which Mrs Tenner had delivered on a tray. Despite her concern for her sister, Grace did not express the same reluctance to tell her father a plumper. ‘You are perfectly correct Nicholas,’ she declared, ‘we simply cannot risk my father taking matters in his own hands.’
With that, she wrote a short note assuring the Reverend that Hope was in fact in good health and would be home very soon. ‘It’s not a complete Banbury story,’ she argued when her husband read it dubiously. ‘We are indeed optimistic that Hope remains in good health and will be reunited with her family directly.’
Nicholas knew his wife’s bullish stance was entirely to cover up her internal fear that something dreadful had happened to her sister, that they would never see Hope again. Thus, he reluctantly agreed to send the note and ten minutes later a grumbling Jimmy whose habit was to bed down above the stable was called upon and despatched to deliver it.
Aside from the three of them, no one knew of Gabriel and Hope’s abduction. ‘At first light, I will send word to Roan,’ the Duke decided. ‘I do not know whether there is anything he can do, and indeed, by the time he receives the news, Hope and Viscount Northwood…’ he paused and ran his hand through his hair despairingly.
‘…they may well have already been rescued, I agree,’ interrupted Grace determinedly, forcing back her tears. Nicholas laid his hand comfortingly over his wife’s as Malcolm spoke.
‘I recommend we request Roan’s assistance as soon as he is able,’ the Scotsman suggested sombrely. ‘The laddie’s known to be good in a fight and growing up on the streets has given him an edge that softies like yerself may not have.’ Nicholas snorted at his valet’s assessment of his prowess but agreed, nonetheless.
‘If our messenger rides continuously, only stopping to change horses, he could be in London in as little as twenty-four hours,’ the Duke concluded. ‘In fact…’ he stopped and got to his feet. ‘As much as I am loath to do so, I believe a calamity such as this warrants getting someone out of their bed. If our man leaves within the hour, mayhap he will reach Town before the end of tomorrow.’
‘It’s a tall order and no mistake,’ grimaced Malcolm, ‘but I think it worth a try. You’ll need to select your best horseman.’
Nicholas nodded and went to his desk. Then paused. ‘I’ll send word to Ravenstone also,’ he announced. ‘Adam is no dandy, and I am certain he will offer his aid. Indeed, there’s a chance he could reach Northwood Court before we do.’ He sat down and picked up his quill.
‘I’ll ask both of them to meet us on the east side of Gabriel’s Estate. The grounds are extensive I believe and should provide ample coverage.’ He paused with a brief scowl. ‘God help us though if we’ve presumed the wrong destination.’
∞∞∞
There was no doubt in Augustus Shackleford’s mind that something smoky was afoot. Grace’s letter was tantamount to a screaming admission that something was amiss, and reading it he couldn’t help but think his children actually believed him beef witted…
After dinner, he’d taken himself off to his study. Indeed, he was exhausted after all the excitement and had decided that ringing a peal over Hope’s head as soon as she returned would not do his liver any good, so the lecture would simply have to wait until the morrow. Instead, he decided a stiff brandy would be just the thing to get himself in order. Percy was naturally nowhere to be seen. The curate had not appeared for dinner and the Reverend had instructed Lily to take some bread and cheese over to the vestry before she retired.
Freddy was snoring by the fire, now in much better spirits after a large helping of Mrs Tomlinson’s bread and butter pudding and all in all, Reverend Shackleford had believed the commotion over and done with.
Truly, he should have known better.
Around nine o’clock, the doorbell rang. Frowning, the Reverend heaved himself to his feet, stepping over Freddy as he headed to the door. The foxhound didn’t even twitch. ‘Some guard dog you are,’ he muttered to himself. Ten minutes later, after despatching the Duke’s messenger with a flea in the impertinent little varmint’s ear, he was back seated by the fire and his previous serenity had entirely disappeared up the chimney.
