“And now my wife is in danger,” Asher bit out in frustration, although the truth was, he was just as mad at himself as he was at Jacobs. He should have made Evelyn stay at home. He caught movement down the street, out of the corner of his eye, though it wasn’t unusual as they were nearing a working district.
“I’ll go find help,” Jacobs said.
“From where?”
“There has to be someone nearby, or I’ll walk back to Eastclere’s.”
“That will take some time.”
“It will,” Jacobs agreed.
Asher sighed, lifting his cap and running a hand through his hair, but there was nothing else he could do.
“Very well. Thank you, Jacobs.”
Jacobs nodded and then set off down the street. Before returning to Evelyn, Asher walked around the carriage, inspecting the rest of it to make sure nothing else was amiss.
He saw their shadows before he heard the footsteps.
He turned at the last minute, whirling around to find the men bearing down on him.
“Need some help, your grace?” one asked, eyeing the carriage, and Asher’s instincts were instantly on alert. How would they know his title?
“No, we’re just fine,” he said, standing with confidence. “Thank you for your concern.”
“You coming from Eastclere Manor?” said the other.
Asher looked down the road. They were a fair enough distance from the manor that it wouldn’t make sense for these men to have known.
“What does it matter?” he asked.
“Ach, nothing, just a fancy carriage like this usually comes from that direction,” the man said with ease. Too much ease. “Who were you visiting?”
“I will keep my private business just that — private,” he said, wishing he could jump in the carriage and take off, but of course, that was no longer an option.
This all seemed far too opportunistic.
He looked back at the carriage again, wishing he could see within, to know if Evelyn was watching or listening. He prayed she would stay inside, not give these men any further ideas.
He sensed motion in front of him just in time to step out of the way before the iron bar came crashing down.
He wasn’t injured.
But he had a feeling they wouldn't back down.
And all he could think about was keeping Evelyn safe.
12
Evelyn bristled at Asher’s unspoken implication that she should stay put. She shifted in her seat, impatience tightening in her chest as the urge todo somethinggrew harder to ignore.
The carriage wheel breaking upon their departure from Eastclere Manor didn’t sit right with her, but she was aware that Asher likely didn’t need her assistance at the moment.
She looked out the window, squinting as she could have sworn she saw motion to the side. Was that Asher and the driver? But no, the driver in his livery was in the distance, walking away. Conversation sounded outside the carriage. Asher must be talking to these men. About what?
She peered through the window, trying to see the men more clearly, to determine whether they posed any threat.
Evelyn gasped when the man lifted the iron overhead, letting out a yelp as she threw herself toward the door, wanting to get out and help, although how she would do so, she had no idea.
