The carriage was certainly not warm, but given his cough and sniffling, Violet suspected that Eardly was ill. Perhaps he’d contracted the measles, but she couldn’t be certain until he developed a rash. Though she wouldn’t wish the disease on her worst enemy, she would use it to her advantage, as it would soon leave her captor in a weakened state.
For the moment, time was to her advantage. There were at least four hundred miles between here and Gretna Green, and they’d need to stop several times to change horses and acquire sustenance at coaching inns, and it would take days to travel. It was unlikely that Eardly would stop at coaching inns any longer than necessary and certainly not to spend the night, as he’d want to reach Gretna Green before her brother caught up to them. At each stop, she would have an opportunity for rescue, and must plan well. However, the farther they traveled from Laswell, the more difficult it would be for her to return home, therefore, she’d need to decide if she should attempt an escape now or wait.
She studied Eardly as his eyes grew heavy. Occasionally his chin would drop, then he’d jerk himself back awake.
Eardly must certainly realize that it would be difficult to take her so far without her alerting anyone. Or was he so confident in his success that he’d not considered the difficulties that she might present?
When a person was overly confident, they made mistakes. Therefore, Violet knew that she must not make the same error when planning her escape.
Wesley had ordered her not to leave without him, yet she’d done so anyway because she had been certain that she’d be safe. That error had been hers, and it was one she’d not make again. Despite her intelligence, Violet’s stature left her physically vulnerable, otherwise she’d not be in this predicament. However, her brother would also look for her as soon as he discovered the abandoned wagon.
What would he do next?
Perhaps he had all of Laswell looking for her, except they’d not find her there.
There were far too many variables of what Wesley might do, and how soon he might come to the conclusion that she was first, kidnapped, and second, hauled off to Gretna Green. As Violet couldn’t be confident that Emory was even aware of her disappearance, or was even still in Laswell, he’d not alert them to his concerns about Eardly.
Therefore, she put her mind to a means of escape.
Chapter 27
Eardly needed a wealthy wife,and the connection to a duke would return him to respectability, therefore, his goal would be to marry Violet. Simply attempted ruin wouldn’t earn her hand, as it had failed when Eardly had attempted the same with Lady Lucinda, therefore, the only choice was marriage before anyone could stop him.
Thoughts of the terror Violet must be experiencing urged him forward, and Emory vowed that if Eardly harmed even a hair on her head, he would not be long for this earth. He also prayed that he wasn’t making an incorrect assumption by traveling to Gretna Green, but where else would he take her?
Therefore, he’d follow the road most likely taken, and stop at every coaching inn along the way and ask questions. Eardly didn’t have so much of a start on him that he couldn’t catch him. Eardly’s traveling coach was heavy, and the horses would need to be changed often. The curricle was light and swift. Therefore, Emory would find and rescue Violet, lecture her on taking risks, and then deliver her back to the safety of her brother.
He may hold her first. To comfort her of course, as she’d be upset. Women were fragile, and a kidnapping would be quite upsetting, and he’d be able to calm her and offer safety and security.
Violet was madness. She rejected him after a bone searing kiss, then avoided being alone with him. She professed a friendship but had turned cool and distant. It was clear that she did not care deeply for him, yet here he was, racing across the country to rescue her from a desperate lord. Her brother should be doing this, not Emory. But, even if Epworth were free to do so, Emory would still insist on accompanying him. He’d not rest until he knew Violet had been rescued and was safe.
This overwhelming panic that burned in his chest was not something he was used to, and Emory didn’t like it one bit. He was just as certain he’d feel the same for any female caught in the clutches of Eardly. But, Eardly didn’t have just anyone. He had Violet.HisViolet, and Emory was not going to allow her to be harmed in any manner without someone paying the price.
He also accepted that much of the blame rested on his shoulders. He should have insisted on remaining with her last night, whether she liked it or not. Instead, he let her drive the wagon away from him.
He needed to find her. He needed to find her in time. Before…
He urged the horses faster, as if the demons of hell were on his tail.
Eardly’s chinhad finally dropped to his chest as much as his extra chins would allow, and his mouth hung open, spittle leaking from the corner as his snores filled the carriage.
At least he was getting rest, whereas even though Violet was exhausted, it wasn’t possible for her to relax, let alone sleep. Her mind was too busy formulating escape plans and potential scenarios. She could sleep once she was away from Eardly.
If she could trust the driver, she’d force Eardly to allow her to leave the carriage, but as she could not determine his loyalty, Violet kept her one weapon hidden for the time being, but was prepared to use it if necessary. At least she hoped she’d have the nerve.
Yes, she would, she insisted to herself with determination. If not, then she might end up married to the snoring lump, and that would never do.
As the carriage slowed, she leaned close to the window to determine where they might be. If they arrived at a coaching inn while Eardly still slept, she could escape and prevail upon the owner to offer safety. Certainly, once she explained her circumstances, and who her father was, he’d offer assistance no matter what claims Eardly might make.
Satisfied that all would be well, Violet frowned when the carriage came to a halt at the side of the road with no coaching inn or any type of building in sight.
The carriage shifted, then the driver jumped to the ground and raced toward the bushes.
The man simply had to relieve himself, and she quickly calculated her chances of escape.
They’d passed few carriages, but that didn’t mean one wouldn’t be along soon.
Sliding to the other end of the seat, she looked for signs of any type of shelter, but there was only a thicket of trees on the opposite side of the road, and they were too thick to see what was beyond. However, it was possible that she could hide within. If she were lucky, she could leave quietly and neither the driver nor Eardly would know she was gone until Eardly woke.
