Between them, he, Mr. Zwart, and Mr. Winston got Turnip down the stairs. Once there, Forrest hoisted him over his shoulder, and with his two elderly companions headed to where he hoped Sam had his carriage waiting. As luck would have it, he did.
“Are you all right, Mr. Howarth?”
“I am, Sam. But we need to make haste to reach Lord Raine, if you please. Good evening, gentlemen.” He acknowledged the two men watching him throw Turnip onto the floor of his carriage. Forrest then climbed in and placed his feet on the man.
The drive to Gabe’s was long enough that it had Turnip wriggling and moaning. Forrest ignored him and thought about Ruby and Adam living in 11 Nobby Lane. Thought about seeing her in the clutches of that man earlier. Something was very wrong with her; he could feel it.
“How can I get her to talk to me?”
Turnip groaned, and Forrest put more weight on him.
When they stopped outside Gabe’s, he ran to the door and knocked.
“I need you to bring the earl down here at once, Stubbins. Tell him Mr. Howarth has need of him urgently, please.”
“At once, sir.”
Gabe arrived at a run minutes later with Zach on his heels.
“What’s happened?” Gabe asked.
“I need your help. Can I explain it all on the way to Watch House?”
“Watch House? Have you committed a crime, cousin?”
“Not me, no.”
“Tell my wife I shall return when I can, please, Stubbins,” Gabe said. “And pass me my hat.”
“At once, my lord.”
“Forrest?” Zach had gone out to the carriage before them. “Why is there a man trussed up like a goose on your carriage floor?”
“Get in, and I’ll tell you. Please feel free to place your boots on him.”
Zach did as he was told. Gabe also. He then filled them in on the entire story. Turnip continued to wriggle and grunt beneath them.
“And you say this man slaughtered Miss Kent’s brother’s cows and threatened to slaughter him if she did not wed him? So she ran away?” Gabe asked, disgust on his face.
“And he murdered old Mr. Parsons for his land?” Zach put his weight on Mr. Turnip.
“Yes. When Ruby and I entered 11 Nobby Lane, we heard Miss Kent’s scream. I entered the room and this man, Sydney Turnip, had a knife and was attempting to hurt her.” Disgust at what he’d seen rose inside him again.
“The hell you say.” Zach bent and raised the man’s head by grabbing a handful of his hair. “Under no circumstances do you ever force yourself on a woman.” He dropped Mr. Turnip’s head, and it made a satisfying thud.
“And I am here because of my title, to ensure this rodent never comes near a woman, and more importantly, the sweet and timid Miss Kent who I met that day in the park?” Gabe’s words ended on a growl.
“Yes,” Forrest said.
“I shall need to embellish but will not stray too far from the truth,” Gabe said.
“Whatever it takes,” Forrest said.
They stopped outside the Watch House, and Forrest hoisted Turnip over his shoulder once more and followed the Deville brothers inside.
“I wish to speak to whoever is in charge,” Gabe said in the most pompous voice Forrest had ever heard him use.
“He’s good at this. You can almost see his ancestors lined up at his back.”
