Zach went cold, and he knew. “Miss Mary Blake and Lord Montgomery.”
Surprise had Geraint nodding.
“We must find them now!” Zach ran back to his horse with his family on his heels.
“You and Nathan get Mary, and we will ride for Plunge,” Gabe said.
They galloped through London, dodging traffic until they reached the Blake town house.
Zach leapt from his horse, leaving Nathan to grab the reins, and ran up to the steps to the door. He banged his fist hard on the wood.
Heart pounding, he stood in agony waiting. She had to be all right. Mary would not have been hurt in any way yet. It was a bluff.
The door opened, and the butler looked at him. “How may I help you?”
“I wish to see Miss Mary Blake at once.”
“She is from home, sir. At the lending library.”
“Alone?”
“Mr. Zachariel Deville?” Phillipa appeared. “Do come in. Walton, what are you thinking to leave our guest standing out there.”
“Who is Mary at the lending library with, Phillipa?”
She frowned at his hard tone. “Her maid, of course. Come, we shall take tea.”
“I can’t stay. Please tell Mary if she returns to send word to Dimity, as she… ah, is wanting to come and visit with her about a… garden party she wishes to host.”
He did not want to blow Mary’s cover if it could be helped or alarm her family unduly if she was safe.Please dear Lord, let her be safe.
Phillipa’s eyes widened, and she clapped her hands like Ella did when he gave her a treat. “I love garden parties!”
“Good day.” He ran back to his horse and mounted.
“She is at the lending library, which could mean anywhere, but we have to try. Christ, Nathan.”
“Until we know, we cannot speculate. We will find her, and she will be safe. Stay strong, brother. But first we go to the library, just in case she actually is there.”
“I am going to marry her.”
“Excellent, is she aware of that?”
“Not yet. But she will be.”
They reached the library, and just as he was about to dismount, Zach saw Plunge a short distance away. He was walking with his back to Zach and Nathan. A man in a coat and hat was close behind him. Plunge said something over his shoulder, and the man nudged him hard.
“I see him,” Nathan said. “My guess is that man is holding a gun at his back.”
“Where is Mary?” Zach asked, watching Plunge reach a carriage. A door opened, and he stepped inside. However, the carriage didn’t move.
“I would think she is still inside and safe,” Nathan said.
“And she’s staying that way,” Zach growled. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY
Aggie’s father had received a note from Francine to say she had information for her, and Mary had arranged to meet at the lending library to hear it. She had worn her hat and veil so no one would recognize her when she talked to Francine, and the girl would know who she was, as she’d only seen Mary in the disguise.
