Her heartbeat drummed in her chest.
“Allow me to rephrase my earlier question,” Farring continued. “How outrageous an action would you take for Rayne, if you were assured success?”
Make. Something. Happen.“Forlove, I’d go to my ruin.”
“Ruin need not apply… I’mfairlycertain.” He lifted his brows. “Disguises, definitely. Some mild coercion, perhaps. Misdirection, to be sure, and, depending on what you decide when the adventure is over—Gretna Green on one hand, or the safety of your brother-in-law’s nearby abode, Bromton Castle, on the other.”
“Wait just a moment. Gretna? Bromton Castle? Are you suggesting I abduct Rayne?”
Farring broke into a gleeful grin. “I’msoglad you caught on.” He jumped off the table. “I can see plans already spinning behind your eyes.”
“Madness,” she scoffed. However, the idea did bring a certain balance into the equation—power she’d lacked from the start. “Do you actually believe abducting Rayne is possible?”
“More than possible.” He took her hand. “Necessary. He’s about to put into irrevocable motion some colossally short-sighted decisions. So, either you stop him, or I will. And don’t think I wouldn’t lock him in that hovel he should be calling home until he comes to his senses, stops shirking his duty, and behaves like the man I know.”
“Why Farring, underneath all that pleasant affability, you’re positively ruthless.”
He adjusted his coat. “I prefer to think of myself as expedient. Here’s what you need to know. Rayne volunteered to deliver the duke’s traveling chariot to my step-grandmother. Someone, by the way, I think you’d get on with very well.”
“Pardon?”
Farring waved his hand. “Somuch easier for you to see when you get there than for me to explain. Anyway, the salient point is that Gretna’s not two days drive from Periwinkle Gate. And, since he’ll be traveling—”
“Just how long have you been thinking about this?” she interrupted.
He shrugged. “A few days. Or weeks. Or longer. Does it matter?” Farring put his hands behind his back. “As I was saying, since he’ll be traveling without servants and using postilions, you have a perfect opportunity to accompany him without him knowing. That is, if you think you can manage to ride on the rear rail.”
“You want me to pose as hisfootman?”
“Not the whole way, of course. Only until he’s too far north to insist you return home.”
She massaged her temples. “Distance doesn’t matter. As soon as he discovers I’m there, he’ll turn straight around.”
“He won’t.”
She sent Farring a narrow-eyed glare. “You have more confidence in him than I do.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I have more confidence inyouthan you do.”
“And what if the plan goes awry?”
“They always do, of course. But how do you mean?”
“I could fall off.”
He squeezed her upper arm. “You feel strong enough to me.”
“We could be set upon by highwaymen.”
“Rare, these days, especially in the more populated areas—like the ground you’ll cover first.”
“What if, when I confront him, Rayne refuses to engage?”
“I’ve already considered the possibility. Lord only knows what stories he’s been using to justify his deplorable decisions. Which is why, if something should go wrong, you’ll take refuge at the nearest inn and send word directly to me. Under those unlikely circumstances, I’ll offer myself as an alternative means to restore your reputation.”
She threw up her hands. “Now I’mcertainyou’ve lost your mind.”
“Why?” He shrugged. “I’d say ‘future duchess’ would be quite the consolation, wouldn’t you? And I hate to inform you, but youhaverisen to the top of my mother’s list.”
