She’d been through so much already. Somehow, Lilly had survived an intolerable marriage for the sake of her family. Out of respect for Glenda, she had observed the mourning period, pretending grief for a man who’d treated her abominably. Her spirit had kept hope alive. She’d returned to London determined to do for her stepdaughter what everyone else had failed to do for her. Assure her happiness and peace.
He pictured her as she’d danced with him. Had it just been last evening? It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since he’d held her, guided her, and twirled her around in the Ravensdale’s ridiculously ornate ballroom.
Was she alive even? She had to be! Surely his heart would know if she’d left this earth.
He rubbed his hands over his eyes before facing the room’s inhabitants.
Lady Natalie looked meaningfully at Michael and then her father. Her father looked enraged.
Michael spoke softly, his voice sounding guttural. “I’m going after her.”
These were apparently not the words the earl had been expecting. “You bastard!” Ravensdale was on his feet in an instant, fists clenched at his sides. “I trusted you with mydaughter, myonly daughter!”
Lady Natalie jumped out of her chair and placed herself in front of her father. “No, Papa! Please. I am the one who does not wish to marry Lord Cortland! Please, Father, please, let him go!” she begged. Michael was surprised to see tears spilling down her face. “Father, please understand, I cannot marry Cortland. I do not love him. Lilly needs him! Let him go!” LadyRavensdale rose and wrapped her arms around her weeping daughter. Natalie would have collapsed had her father not taken hold of her and guided her back to her seat. She wept softly.
“Enough, Broderick.” The countess spoke firmly to her husband. “Our children are not to be used as chattel in a business deal, or politics, or anything else.” She gently stroked her daughter’s hair and looked him in the eyes. “Enough.”
The earl knelt before his daughter. At that moment, he was something of a broken man. Michael knew Ravensdale’s greatest priority in life had always been his wife and children. With a fatherly tenderness not normally exhibited, the earl gently brushed Natalie’s hair from in front of her eyes. “Sweeting? I thought this was what you wanted. I thought you were happy with the match.”
Lady Natalie brushed her hands at her eyes like a child. “That’s becauseyouwere happy with it, Papa. Iso wantedto makeyouhappy, but…I do not love Cortland and he does not love me, and I want what you and Mama have. I have come to realize that marriage ought to be undertaken with much more than a daughter’s desire to please her father.” She tucked her head onto her father’s shoulder and quietly wept some more.
Ravensdale looked over at Michael and gave him a helpless look. “My girl doesn’t wish to marry you, Cortland. Can we agree to destroy the betrothal contacts?” There was a hint of a threat in his voice as both men knew Michael deserved the blame for the dissolution of the betrothal.
But a gentleman could never cry off.
“We can,” Michael said, lifting his head up from his hands. “Please, Lady Natalie, accept my heartfelt apologies…”
Lady Natalie peeked out from her father’s arms to look over at him. The only two who could see her face were Cortland and Danbury. Her tears had magically vanished.
And then—the little minx—she winked at him! “I’m the onewho is sorry, Your Grace.”
It was what they’d planned, but not this way. Had she deliberately become hysterical for her father’s benefit? He’d have to thank her later but was more restless than ever to be on his way to Maple Hall, Hawthorne’s estate. It was where Michael had discovered his stolen carriage and team. It made sense that Hawthorne would take Lilly there as well.
When he’d arrived at Lady Eleanor’s town house, he’d sent John to retrieve mounts for them to go after Hawthorne. They could travel faster that way.
John and Arty would both be riding with him.
He gave Natalie what he hoped looked like a grateful nod and then, unable to wait a moment longer, stood and moved toward the door.
“I’m leaving for Hawthorne’s estate as soon as John returns with the horses. My apologies, Ravensdale, Danbury, for missing the vote tomorrow.”
Lady Eleanor had pulled a bell to call for a maid. When the maid arrived, she directed her to pack some food and drinks in bags that would fit on a saddle. She must have been terrified, but the look she bestowed upon Michael said she trusted him to save her niece.
He hoped he was worthy of such faith.
Ravensdale went into the foyer with Michael. Putting one hand on his shoulder, he held out his other for Michael to shake.
Michael grasped it firmly.
“Don’t worry about the vote.” Ravensdale glanced back at Danbury with a grim determination. “We’ll take care of matters here.”
Danbury turned to Michael before responding. “Not if Cortland requires my assistance.” His eyes were sincere.
Michael shook his head. “I’ve got John and Arty traveling with me. You stay with Ravensdale and see what can be donewhen the call is made.” Just then, Jarvis appeared to inform them John had arrived. The maid ran in, curtsied, and handed him three saddlebags. He took them gratefully.
He would find her.
She would be alive. He had to believe this as he and his two servants, who had turned out to be as loyal as any of his friends, rode hell-bent for leather, to find and save his Lilly.
