“Always. The Bennet carriage is yours as well. There are none faster or safer, and I’m certain Lee will insist.”
“We’ll send for it,” Ainsley said on everyone’s behalf. “Actually, would you be so kind as to take my girls home? Stay until I return?”
“Of course!” She nodded, looking relieved for an occupation as she wrapped her arms around herself.
“Potter!” Eliza’s mother snapped.
The man popped up from behind the bar with a curious expression.
“Why don’t you head outside to assist with the mayhem that is surely occurring?”
“Begging your pardon, my lady. But I was told not to leave the bar under any circumstances.”
“Bloody hell, Potter. Get out!” Bash finally erupted.
“But you said?—”
“I know what I said. And now I’m saying something different. Get out!”
The man shrugged before he stumbled out from behind the bar. Slowly, he waddled outside, tripping on the threshold on his way.
Bash drew an exasperated hand along his face.
“Now, does someone want to tell me what the hell is going on?” Eliza’s mother demanded. It was clear from the startled reactions that such vehemence was rare from the lady.
“Jules,” Wayland began.
Before he could finish, another man burst in the door Potter had vacated. A physician followed, overflowing carpetbag in hand. The first man, impossibly tall with half his face scarred, stopped beside Bellemere’s mother. She whispered something to him, and he murmured back before he turned and reached for the door handle.
Mrs. Ainsley embraced her husband tightly before she and her daughters followed the couple out into the night.
The physician set to work examining Bella. He pressed two fingers to her wrist as he counted silently to himself.
Still forging order from chaos, Eliza’s mother urged everyone away to another table to give the man room.
West shook his head silently, tightening his hold on Bella’s hand. Benedict dropped a kiss on her other palm. “Call for me if…”
West nodded.
Weary, Benedict joined the others at a nearby table. He dragged an exhausted hand over his eyes. The fabric of his domino caught the pads of his fingers, a surprising reminder of its existence. He ripped it off in disgust.
“Where is my daughter?” Lady Juliet demanded.
Sophie began, voice high and tight with worry. “I went outside to check on Lizzie—she was upset after her dance—and I found only Lady Arabella. But she was bleeding, and I didn’t know?—”
“It’s alright, darling. You did so well.” Her mother pressed a reassuring hand to her back.
And then her gaze, recrimination shifting onto her brow, turned to Benedict.
“I-I don’t know for certain, but I suspect she is in a carriage on her way to my father.” His voice was small and shameful.
“And I am expected to believe you’re not involved in this?”
“I am… Well, not in that way. I was here to prevent a scheme like this.”
“So you knew this was happening?”
Benedict shook his head and rushed to clarify. “We knew it was a possibility he would trysomething. We didn’t know who he would employ or what action he would take specifically. I only wanted to keep Eliza safe.”
