“If you try and stop her,” Pen reasoned, “you will lose her for good.”
“Obviously, he already has!”
Penelope silenced Ash with a look. Then, she turned her gaze back to Hurtheven. “She’s given us leave to explain her actions. I intend to do so presentlyifyou’ll promise to be still.”
“I can’t simply let her leave...”
Penelope’s pitying look felt like a splash of ice water.
“...What if the carriage is overtaken by highwaymen?” he asked, he thought, reasonably.
Ash rolled his eyes. “She’s traveling by postchaise in daylight with armed servants and my wife. Do you think I’d permit Alicia to travel in a manner that would invite harm?”
He frowned. “Alicia?” He only just realized she was not present.
“We’ve already told you Alicia is with her.” Pen sighed. “Twice.”
“You meantriedto tell him,” Ash corrected.
“Dig down, my friend.” Chev’s steadying voice sounded in Hurtheven’s ear. “Find calm and settle. We are, of course, on your side.”
Werethey?
They did not feel like allies. He rather felt imprisoned. Worst still, his dearest friends were the ones standing between him and his goal.
He looked into Chev’s chillingly blue gaze, reading understanding but also resolve. He might be able to overpower his friends, but not without risking wounds—physical and otherwise.
He closed his eyes.
Storm winds howled. Rain echoed all around. A wheel on a broken axel squeaked as it turned. And, deep within, a child’s helpless howl.
“She’s gone,” he repeated weakly.
“She’s gone,” Chev replied. “But perhaps”—he exchanged a brief glance with Pen—“not permanently lost to you.”
Ash groaned in disbelief. Hurtheven ignored him, focusing on Chev’s steady gaze.
Not. Permanently. Lost.
There was something he could do, then. Chev—and, he turned his head, Pen, dear Pen—would help him. He slackened in Ash’s grip.
Chev stepped back. “Let him go, Ash.”
Ash did not immediately comply.
“Let him go,” Chev repeated.
“Very well.” Ash released him. “But if he’s off like a flash of thunder?—”
“Lightning.” Hurtheven rubbed his arm, slowly coming back into himself. “Like a flash of lightning. And I would be...if I was sure I could bring her back. At present, it appears I must yield to your greater understanding.”
“Finally!” Chev exhaled. “Now, why don’t you sit down?”
“Fetch some brandy, would you, my love?” Pen requested. “Or some stronger spirit, if there is one.”
Chev snorted. “At Hevenhyll? What else would there be?”
Cabinets and glass clinked behind him. He turned his attention to Pen. “What did Miss Bythesea give you leave to explain?”
