“Good God,” breathed Caroline.
Jack stared at his relations. “Are you mad? She’s marrying me.”
“You’remad, Jack! Whatever are you talking about!” cried his mother.
“Lucy, of course.”
They stared. “It’s Nora!”
“Nora what?”
“Nora your sister! She’s run away to Gretna Green with that rascal captain!”
“Good God,” said Jack, stunned.
“They planned it all last night at the ball,” his mother said, tears again in her eyes. “She never went to visit her friend Miss Maxwell at all. It was all a lie. Oh, that wicked, deceitful girl! And you…!” she said, eyes alighting for the first time on Caroline. “Did you help plan it too? Did you cook it up with your brother the moment you realised Jack would never have you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Caroline, very pale, but her voice magnificently composed. “This is the first I’ve heard of it. And I promise you, I’ll rescue your daughter. Little as she deserves it.”
“Yourescue her? And what areyouto do about it, pray?”
Recognising the symptoms of a monstrous row about to break out, as well as knowing neither his mother nor his sister were of any use in a crisis, he bid them both to go home. “Wait there. Stay calm. If anyone calls for Nora or asks for her whereabouts, you can say her influenza has returned. If Sedgewick has any sense, he’ll have snuck her out of London without her being seen. I’ll return her in the same way, and no one will know what happened.” He put a hand on his mother’s arm. “I promise you, Mother. I will fix this. Now go, save your strength, and leave it to me.”
His companions were silent for a moment after the ladies had left. Caroline let out a breath. “Should I have seen this coming? I must have had no idea of his true debts. I’m sorry, Jack. I think he always felt my marriage to you would cure the majority of his problems. He’s no doubt been using the promise of it to hold many a creditor at bay and thought securing Lucy for himself would make him a rich man. But with your current situation, and now your engagement announced to Lucy, both those plans were at an end.”
“Only a scoundrel would hold you responsible for your brother’s actions. I don’t blame you. But help me work out what I’m to do. How do I go after both of them at once?”
“Northumberland and Scotland require the same road, surely? At least for a large part of the journey. My brother is undoubtedly travelling more quickly than the stage, but you may yet catch up with him—Nora doesn’t strike me as the type to suffer a rough journey—and on your way, you’ll overtake the stage.”
A flicker of hope flamed to life within him. But… “God dammit! If only I had my chestnuts, then I’d be sure to overtake them.”
“But you do,” said George. He gave a small cough as Jack whirled to face him. “Or rather,Ido. They’re in my stables as we speak.”
“H-how?”
“Bought them off Warde. Made him drive them over himself this morning. I don’t think he enjoyed it much, was in a towering rage when he got there. Only sorry you missed it.”
Jack stared at him. “George,” he breathed. “You magnificent devil. You bought them back for me?”
“And Lucy. Can’t have her being driven round town behind a hired pair. I did have some qualms, but she’s agreed to marry you evenafterbeing driven by you, so I suppose she doesn’tmind it too much.” He gave a small shrug. “Early wedding present. Think nothing of it.”
“This is… George, I…” He gave himself a shake. “One day, I’ll find a way to thank you. But we have no time to lose. If only I still had my racing curricle!”
“I’ve got my barouche,” said George. “No, don’t laugh, Jack. I know it’s not your style, but it’s well sprung. And, what’s more, it’s got room for all of us.”
“All of us?”
“We’re coming with you, of course,” said Caroline. “My brother is my problem to solve. I’ll take him away to the countryside for a while. Luckily, I know some convenient physicians who can write a note excusing him from his duties. And, Jack…I’d rather you didn’t kill him. That will be my job.”
“Kill him! No. But Iwillstop him. And perhaps deliver a thrashing into the bargain. You can’t object to that.”
“Oh, not all!” Caroline agreed with a grin.
“And I can escort Nora back to town,” said George. “You’ll need to go north with Lucy, remember.”
“Yes,” said Jack. “Yes, you’re right. Thank God for friends. I think this almost excuses everything.” He turned back, hand on the door. “Almosteverything.”
Thirty-Three
