“I had not thought of that,” he admitted, his soul crumbling even more.
“It seems to me you have not thought of a great many things,” the duke said, then punched him again, this time hitting him in the eye and knocking him to the floor. “You not only mismanaged your ridiculous attempt to save the most manipulative, selfish bastard known to haunt the streets of London, but you mishandled every other resource placed at your disposal.” Broadmere slowly shook his head, then turned away. “You are a damned fool, Wakefield.” He barked a bitter laugh. “No. Not Wakefield. What the bloody hell is your real name?”
“Pemberton.” Drake gingerly touched his eye as he rose from the floor. “The name my father gave me. A name of honor.”
“Well, I would say the last thing you did was honor it,” Serendipity said before spitting on him. “And now you have endangered my sister’s life. Not only that, but when she learns of this latest lie, you will have ripped out her heart.”
“When did she and Merry leave for the village?” the duke asked Serendipity.
She shook her head. “It has been a while. They should be back anytime.”
“All I want is for her to be safe,” Drake said. “Even though I love her, I shall sever all ties with her. I swear it.”
“And that will not only break her heart but ruin her as well,” Broadmere said. “Even though the banns have not officially been read, word of your ridiculous engagement to my overly trusting sister has already spread across the entire Lake District.” He threw up his hands. “Knowing the speed at which theton’s gossip travels, all of England has probably heard.” He dropped into his chair behind his desk and held his head. “What a bloody mess.”
Shouts echoed out in the hallway, but Drake couldn’t make out who it was or what was said.
Serendipity ran to the door and yanked it open just in time for a sobbing Merry to tumble into her arms.
“She is gone, Seri!” Eyes wild, face red and shining with tears, Merry clutched her sister by the shoulders and shook her. “They made off with her. They stole our Felli!”
Drake sprang forward. “Who? Did you see who took her?”
“Three men,” Merry said, breathless with her sobbing. “A black carriage I have never seen before. They jumped out and knocked her senseless, then grabbed her and dragged her into that carriage.” Screeching with a keening wail, she clutched her fists to her chest. “I fear they did her grave harm. I tried to stop them, but they threw me into the ditch. By the time I climbed out, they were gone.”
“Are you hurt?” Serendipity caught hold of Merry and led her to the settee.
“Just scrapes and scratches.” Merry pierced the air with another yowling sob. “Nothing like our poor Felli. Why would anyone do this? Who would wish to harm our sweet, gentle soul?”
“I will kill them.” Drake started for the door. “Which direction did they take?”
“North, I think.” Merry hugged herself and rocked in place. “But I failed to see which lane they took at the fork.”
“I am coming with you.” Broadmere rounded his desk. “You can take one fork, and I shall take the other.” Then he caught hold of Drake’s shoulder and held it with a bone-crushing grip. “If anything happens to my sister, I will kill you myself.”
Drake accepted the oath with a curt nod. It was nothing less than he deserved.
*
Drake headed upthe fork to the right as the duke took the fork to the left. Even though they had hurried to arm themselves, so much time had passed since the abduction that the roadway’s dust had settled, refusing to give any clues. Where the devil would they take her? How far would they carry her to keep her hidden?
Why had he not told her sooner?
He snorted, already knowing the answer. Because he was a selfish, cowardly bastard. He clenched his teeth until his jaws ached. He was no better than his worthless uncle. If he had told her straight away, and she had sent him packing, at least she would now be safe instead of stolen away in broad daylight.
He slowed his mount. If he kept up at the breakneck pace, the horse would surely fail in the heat of the overly warm afternoon. Raking his gaze across the horizon, he prayed for a cloud of dust or some other sign of the runaway carriage. Even though the blackguards had a head start, they couldn’t have gotten that far ahead. That left him to wonder if they were hiding her somewhere close. But where? Everyone in Binnocksbourne knew and loved Lady Felicity. Surely no one would provide a place for the ruffians to keep her.
He scrubbed a hand across his face, wincing when he hit his bruised, swollen flesh. That pain was nothing compared to the ache in his heart. And Merry had said those heartless bastards had hit Felicity, rendering her unconscious. His poor, dear one would be terrifiedwhen she awakened to discover her circumstances. Not only terrified, but confused as to why this had happened. Knowing Rum and Catherty, they would delight in telling her all the sordid details.
He shook his head. None of that mattered now. All that mattered was her safety and getting her home to her family.
A bit of dust farther down the way made his heart stutter. Once again, he urged his mount to a hard gallop, but his hopes were quickly dashed. It was merely a farmer with a wagon loaded down with hay.
“Excuse me, good sir,” Drake said as he came up alongside the man. “Did a black carriage pass through here recently? Within the last few hours?”
The farmer shook his head. “Been hauling hay on this road most of the afternoon. Nothing along here but me and some sheep today.” He nodded at Drake. “And now yourself.”
“Thank you.” Drake shifted in the saddle, squinting as he scanned the countryside. If the carriage had come this way, the farmer surely would have seen it. They had to have taken the fork to the left. He prayed that Felicity’s brother had caught up with them and shot the bastards.
