“So, you want to know who would have it in for your friend and his new wife?”
“Yes,” Graham snarled, “I hope you have sufficient motivation now.”
A sly smile crossed Lady Barbara’s face. “Yes, I do believe I have remembered enough.”
A pause still hung in the air when Graham became inpatient. “Well, who is at the center of things?”
“Christopher’s cousin, silly,” Lady Barbara huffed, “It seems like every son of a second-born is out for as much money and power as they can get, and at any cost. It helps to motivate them if they are in a bit of debt. My brother finds them easy targets for his own schemes. It is easy to lure them into a game or two to start, and then they can’t stay away. Money is a powerful motive for anyone.”
“So what, Charles is in a bit of debt to your brother, Richard. Why would he want to hurt Christopher? How could he even make that a reality?” Graham questioned.
“I told youwhy, but how may cost you extra,” Lady Barbara spit.
Graham felt a rage build up, but he kept it leashed, only allowing himself a single threat. “I suppose I could take it to the authorities that you were in league with Percy and Charles and are an accomplice to their wrongdoings. That I found you trespassing on my estate, setting fire to my property. Vandalizing and causing consternation among my tenants. The list of offenses is impressive, but I had it in my mind that you were merely a pawn. I had thought that with Percy in Newgate, we would all be safe.”
“There is only your word!” Lady Barbara practically shouted once more, wincing as she did so. “Besides, I am a victim of a crime in my own right.”
“You will find that my word can count for a lot when it is lent to the right ear. My family has a long history with the crown. If you doubt me, so be it, but I dare you to test me,” Graham stated coldly, his voice flat and direct. “Was it Christopher’s cousin who attacked you?”
“What?! No!” Lady Barbara exclaimed. “Or at least not that I can remember. The last I recall was meeting him to discuss our future, and then nothing…”
Graham watched as Lady Barbara stared off at nothing, as if trying to recall what had happened, but he was impatient for answers. “So, you have not explained how Charles would be able to hurt Christopher and Alaina.”
“You may have only yourself to blame.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Lady Barbara chewed her lip, as if contemplating whether the duke would see his threat through, but then she spoke. “When was the last time you saw your family’s ring? The one with the crest? How easy would it be to lure them away from the safety of their manor home with that seal?”
For the second time that day, Graham found himself disengaging from a conversation without proper farewells. He barreled through the dark hallway and foyer, taking little note of Lady Jane Finch as they passed one another. Graham numbly made his way out the door and onto his horse, as he set a course for the country and hoped it was not too late.
Crack!
Alaina bolted upright in the carriage and struggled to understand her surroundings as the conveyance careened to the left and crashed onto its side at an awkward angle. Alaina landed against the window, her arms barely providing any cushion for her abrupt stop, her head knocking against the pane of glass.
As Alaina struggled to keep the impending darkness in her head at bay, she heard scuffles outside of the carriage, which was now completely cloaked in darkness, and listened to a bevy of short pistolpops!The door opposite Alaina was snatched open and a lantern filled the inside with light. Alaina attempted to scramble toward the door closest to her, absolutely sure the person with the lantern was not there to help. A piercing pain ripped through her head at the motion, making her woozy, as her hand feebly tried the door handle, and she felt her hair yanked back.
“You will not escape so easily,” the voice rasped, close to her ear. Her mind worked overtime as the familiarity of the voice tickled it. “Now, where is your husband?”
Alaina tried to turn and push away from her attacker, but the man held the nape of her neck in an iron grip, and she whimpered in pain, “I do not know where my husband is.”
“Nonsense! You know exactly where he is; it was supposed to be him traveling to London,” came the voice once more, a shiver making its way up Alaina’s spine.
“I am telling the truth,” Alaina stated, hoping her confidence would keep Christopher from this man’s pursuit. “I am the only one traveling to London.”
A growl escaped the man, and he moved to exit the teetering carriage, dragging Alaina behind him. However, she was not to be so easily taken. She reached out to find some purchase, kicking her legs in an attempt to be free.
“Enough!” came the roar from the man, still not clear in Alaina’s vision. He came around with his other hand with vicious intent, driving the butt of his pistol down on her head, the lantern hanging from his arm the only point of light before darkness closed in on her.
Chapter 23
Christopher stood up in his stirrups and attempted to stretch ever so briefly before resettling low in the saddle, the breakneck pace of his horse kicking up clumps of earth as they raced down the road in the darkness. He glanced back to find the road empty, which was not surprising, as he had lost sight of Alaina hours ago. Christopher had been adamant they stay close, but Alaina had been most insistent that his pace not slack for her. His sole reassurance in that regard was the men he had left to protect her. Surely, no lone brigand would be able to overcome them. Shaking his head and clearing it of worry, the marquess refocused on the road ahead of him, and almost missed a lone rider traveling at an equally hectic pace before it was too late.
Both of the riders brought their horses up short, and barely missed the other, causing each man to slow his pace. Christopher wiped the sweat from his brow and sought to quickly apologize to the other rider before heading on toward London once more, when recognition dawned on him.
“Graham!” Christopher exclaimed, as he gulped air and came to a complete stop.
“Christopher?” came the duke’s response, the other man equally out of breath.
