A sob ripped from her throat at the thought, but she wiped her eyes, drew in another deep breath, and headed into the stables.
“Farley,” she greeted her old driver, hoping her smile and tone were convincingly nonchalant.
“Your Grace!” Farley exclaimed. His smile was wide and emphatic as he looked at her, as if he had just remembered to do so; he suddenly bent at the waist and gave her a bow.
“How very good to see you again, Your Grace,” Farley went on. “I hope all is well with you. It has been a few weeks since you needed my services.”
“All is perfectly fine,” Bridget lied, keeping her tone light. “I was hoping you could assist me in something.”
Farley’s dark brows drew up in surprise, but he quickly nodded.
“I do not know what someone such as I could help Her Grace with, but please, ask me anything,” he invited.
Bridget rattled off the address from the letter and watched as Farley’s raised brows furrowed with worry.
“That is quite a way out of London, Your Grace,” he answered, sounding troubled. “It is not even really a town. Just a stretch of space near the cliffs of the sea. The few houses built there have long been abandoned.”
The knot in Bridget’s stomach tightened upon hearing this.
“If I were to go on foot, which direction would I head?” she asked.
Farley shook his head immediately, the worry on his face growing more apparent.
“No, you cannot walk there, Your Grace. It would take you so very long.”
But I have no choice,Bridget quietly despaired.
Farley pressed his lips together, looking as if he were unsure of what was appropriate to say.
“Are you… Is there trouble again, Your Grace?” he asked, his tone hesitant. “Has His Grace done anything—”
“No,” Bridget answered, cutting him off. “No, His Grace is a good man. A kind man, he would never…”
Never treat me the way Warren did.
Such knowledge roared up in her fiercely, nearly bringing her to tears. It was a truth that she had been hesitant to accept for so long, but now she knew. Adrian would do anything for her. So she would do this for him.
“Apologies, Your Grace,” Farley said with another bow. “I did not mean to presume; it is just the last time you had me take you some place…”
“Worry not, Farley,” Bridget assured him. “I know you mean no offense.”
Farley sighed with apparent relief, then nodded.
“You cannot walk there, Your Grace,” he said quietly after a moment. “I will not pry, though I am most worried for you, but please, allow me to take you where you need to go. Whatever is calling you to this place must be of great importance.”
“It is,” she quickly agreed. “But I must not venture away from the instructions I have been given. I am to arrive alone. So you see, I am in a predicament.”
“Allow me to at least bring you close,” Farley insisted. “I will stop wherever you tell me to so that you may walk the rest of the distance alone. Just, please. Do not make this entire journey on foot. There is no telling what could become of you if you do.”
He glanced at the sack at her side, as if he knew what was inside, and Bridget understood that what he said was the truth. If anyone stopped her, it would be far too easy for the ransom to be stolen. If that happened, any hope of getting Evander back would be lost.
“I do not care what our stations are, Farley,” Bridget said, offering him a small smile. “I consider you a good friend.”
Farley gave her a small smile in return as he let loose a breath of relief.
“I am honored, Your Grace,” he said with brotherly affection. “Now, please, wait right here. I shall have your carriage readystraight away.”
The rundown, two-story stone cottage stood before Bridget. The roof was caved in, and some sort of dewy mold clung to the chipped gray stones it was comprised of, despite the blistering summer heat. Even as she stood a few paces away, the smell of mildew and decay wafted strongly into her nostrils, threatening to make her vomit.
