Her panic crescendoed as terror took root. Such a stupid thing to happen! Tearful calls for help turned to forlorn cries.
Sobbing, she collapsed into the bottom of the trunk with her knees tucked beneath her. Exhaustion and the pain of the blow to her head thankfully stole her consciousness.
GARRETT CHANGED
Garrett changed into traveling clothes, the ones he’d worn only a few days ago when he’d arrived. He allowed himself just a moment to glance around the chamber before closing the door behind him.
The room itself haunted him with her image. Too much had occurred in such a short time.
He placed his hat on his head and stared at his boots. He’d thought his attire would be proper for mingling with the aristocracy in the country. How wrong he had been.
He’d sent Marcus to make his apologies to Lady Ravensdale. He must attend to urgent business, he’d informed Marcus. They would be leaving presently.
Using the back stairs, he’d avoid making any explanations to other guests. This tactic worked until he reached the stables, but damned if it just wasn’t his day.
Another party readied for departure as well. The earl’s stable hands were busy, not only assisting Garrett’s men with his carriage and mount, but assisting Farley, Trident, Lockley, and Danbury.
Stone watched the activity warily. Most likely assuring himself of their departure.
He did not appear pleased with the world in general. “So it is true, then, you are cutting your holiday short?”
“I am.” Garrett pushed aside any resentment he held for the earl and grasped Stone’s outstretched hand. He’d always been a good friend. “Duty calls at Maple Hall.”
Danbury stepped forward to join them. “Hawthorne, good to see you,” he said, as though the meeting the previous night had never occurred. “I see you are taking advantage of the full moon as well.” He gestured toward the young marquis. “Lockley and I are returning to London.”
Garrett was more concerned with the other two’s destination. “What of Farley and Trident?”
“Farley mentioned a house party up north. From what I gather, they’ve a few days’ ride.”
“Danbury and Lockley are heading your direction, Hawthorne,” Stone interjected. “The three of you ought to travel together as far as Reading. Safer for the lot of you.”
“I’ll be riding alongside my baggage coach,” Garrett said. “They’d make better time without me.” He did not wish for company.
Danbury brightened, however. “We’ll hold back with you, Hawthorne. Spencer here is correct. Much safer.”
Danbury looked exhausted. Dark shadows encircled his eyes, and his mouth was pinched. Keeping company with villains had taken its toll.
“Very well,” Garrett acquiesced. Safety in numbers couldn’t hurt.
The various travelers mounted their horses while Garrett’s driver checked the harness on the baggage coach. Ravensdale had given Marcus a gelding of his own. It was a very generous going-away present.
Already mounted, Trident and Farley made particular nuisances of themselves. They allowed their horses to dance about recklessly while they smiled and wished Danbury, Lockley, and even himself safe and happy travels. Feeling uneasy at their feigned graciousness, Garrett felt relief when they finally departed. They were annoying, but most likely harmless.
Other matters beleaguered his thoughts.
What was she doing now? Was she sitting beside Monfort? Perhaps locating a crack in his icy demeanor?
He warred with his imagination.
It would do him good to remove himself from Raven’s Park—even though it felt he was leaving something very important behind.
They had good light for travel, a full moon illuminating the sometimes rutted and gnarled road. Such conditions quickened the journey. Just before dawn, Garrett and his entourage turned south on a road near Reading while Danbury and Lockley continued to London. They’d ridden mostly in comfortable silence, except for a few periods of spontaneous conversation.
Danbury had enlisted Garrett’s assistance in dissuading Lockley from associating with Trident and particularly Farley any longer. Garrett didn’t offer much but agreed on several points, especially when Lockley made it known that Farley expected him to pay off several of his own gambling debts.
The young Lockley had been too easily ensnared in the older gentlemen’s sophisticated lifestyle. Having just come of age, without his father in town as a calming influence, he’d allowed matters to get out of hand quickly.
Garrett hoped the younger man appreciated Danbury’s efforts to remove him from such unfortunate connections.
