“What is your name?” Ruby asked.
“Rani.”
“Well, Rani, I am Ruby, and I am going to need your help.”
“Have you done this before?” The woman clutched her seat as Ruby directed the horses down the drive away from the stables. Now they were travelling in a straight line, but soon they would have to turn. She didn’t want to think about that.
“I have driven a cart, which is a great deal smaller, but I’m sure it is the same.”
“Thank you,” Rani said.
“How long have you been there?”
“I don’t know. I came from India with my sister. She is to see a physician. The king brought us here, he is a friend of my father’s.
The king! Ruby was sure the monarch would be searching for the girl. Had he involved Forrest and his cousins in that search? It seemed likely knowing what she did about them.
“Then he must be looking for you?”
“Yes. But I think we are far from London and hidden away.”
“Then we must get you back to London. Whoa,” Ruby called, hoping it was a sound the horses knew. “Slow now!”
Rani clutched the seat as Ruby pulled on the reins. She managed to slow them considerably before the right-hand turn, but still, Rani nearly ended up in her lap. Once they were on the straight road again, she clicked and slapped the reins again, and prayed they would put some distance between themselves and the hell they had just left. Hoped they came to a village or someone, anyone who could help.
Find me, Forrest.
Thinking of him gave her strength. He would come. He had to.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
His eyes were gritty; his body ached and needed sleep. But his mind was focused. He would get her back. He had to.
They’d ridden for what felt like hours when finally they came to the turn that led to Billericay.
“God’s blood, I’m weary,” Zach said, yawning.
No one commented; they just turned and galloped on. The duke, the earl, a lord, and the rest of them. Alexius was now a part of him, as these men were.
“A coach is coming, and it’s going fast. Move over,” Gabe called.
They did, slowing to a trot. Dark was approaching, but he could hear the thunder of hooves. As it got closer, he saw how fast it was going.
“Christ! Have those horses bolted?” the duke roared.
The driver was wrestling with them, trying to slow them.
“It’s Ruby!” Forrest said as she drew closer. Beside her was another woman, and she was trying to help rein in the horses.
“Surround it!” Zach yelled.
As it flew by, she saw him.
“Forrest, help!”
He turned and followed. Galloping hard, he soon pulled alongside the horses with his cousins. Gabe grabbed the ribbons on his side, and Forrest did the same. It took some doing, but eventually the horses slowed and stopped. Forrest leapt from his horse and ran to her.
“Ruby!”
