Jane gripped his lapels. “It’s him! The earl! He found out about Nicole and now he’s gone to Brighton to get her! Please! You must help me, I beg you!”
Lindley stared, comprehension slowly beginning. He put his arm around Jane. “We’ll talk in my study. Richard, bring us some tea and toast.”
“You don’t understand! There is no time to lose!”
Lindley led her into a large, magnificent library and steered her to the couch, pushing her down. He sat beside her, taking her small, cold hands in his. “No, I don’t understand. Take a few deep breaths, Jane, and explain what has upset you so.”
Jane closed her eyes briefly. “Jon, I sent Nicole to Brighton with Molly. I was afraid the earl had found out about her—why else would he have suddenly tried to see me? But he hadn’t! I don’t know why the sudden interest in me. He came to my house tonight. He found out about her. Now he’s gone to Brighton to get her. You must help me! Please—will you?”
“Of course I will. But I still don’t understand.”
“He will take her away from me, don’t you see?” Jane pleaded. “I must get to Brighton first, take Nicole and hide.” She gripped his hands. “I need your help. Will you come with me, help me, lend me money to go to France?”
He stared.
Jane closed her eyes again, in frustration and prayer.
“Jane, this is not the way to act. Has Shelton said he’ll take Nicole from you?”
Jane looked at him. “No.”
“Then—”
“But he will! You know the kind of man he is! And he hates me so!”
“All right,” Lindley said. “We will go to Brighton. We will get Nicole. But then you and Shelton must talk.”
Jane opened her mouth to protest, then closed it. One step at a time. They would go to Brighton and get Nicole. Let Lindley think she was willing to talk to the earl. Once she had Nicole she would run—to India if she had to.
Lindley smiled, squeezing her hand. “We will leave first thing in the morning.”
“We must leave now! Please!” Again she gripped his lapels.
Her face was so close, he could have kissed her. And, unable to restrain himself, he did, briefly, softly, once. “All right. It seems I cannot say no to you.”
Jane slumped against the couch, relieved. It was what she had been counting on. Yet when they arrived in Brighton by midmorning, it was too late. Nicole and Molly were gone.
By the time Jane and Lindley arrived back in London late that afternoon, Jane was white-faced and gaunt. No amount of reassurance from Lindley as to the earl’s intentions could reassure her. Her frame of mind worsened when she was told at the Shelton residence that the earl had not been seen since yesterday evening, and his whereabouts were unknown.
“He’s taken her to Dragmore,” Jane moaned.
Lindley grimaced, for it certainly looked that way. “Go home, Jane, eat something and get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow we will go to Drag-more and talk to Shelton. What the hell is wrong with him!”
“He wants to hurt me,” Jane flashed. Then she groaned again, sinking deeper into the plush seat of Lindley’s coach. Lindley ordered his driver to take them to Gloucester Street.
“I want to go to Dragmore tonight,” Jane said, turning to Lindley. She placed her hand on his forearm. “Please? I need only to get a few things.”
“Jane, you’re exhausted. You’ll make yourself sick.”
“I don’t care. My daughter is at stake!”
Lindley fought with himself, and lost. “All right. But we need fresh horses, for these are finished. Get what you need. But for God’s sake, Jane, have a hot soak and eat supper. I’ll pick you up later.”
Jane agreed, compromising. “Thank you,” she said seriously, gratitude in her eyes. Again she touched his arm.
He touched her chin, lifting it. He waited, and she did not flinch away. He knew it was only gratitude, but he hoped it was more, and he took advantage despite better intentions. He leaned forward and kissed her, for a long moment, sensually, softly. Jane didn’t respond, but she didn’t pull away either. “Give me a chance,” Lindley said, drawing back.
She didn’t say anything.
