Her butler gasped, horrified.
“C-carriage, we need it at once, Ezra.”
“Why?”
“Go with Ezra to get the carriage, please, Bobby,” Alice said, taking off her shawl and wrapping it around the boy. “Tell him what is going on. I need to collect some things, but be as quick as you can. There is no time to lose, as Lord Stafford is in danger.”
“Phipps, tell my aunt when she rises. I have to leave, and I will return as soon as I can.”
“Of course, my lady. Do you need anything else?”
“Food. Please pack a hamper as quickly as you can,” Alice said, knowing she’d be hungry soon. Not much put her off her appetite, and she knew that Ezra had a large stomach that was always empty too.
Alice ran as Ezra and Bobby sprinted to the stables in the rain, the ends of her shawl flapping behind the boy as he moved. In seconds she was in her room, pulling out a cloak. Afterfastening it around her neck, she collected gloves and changed her footwear for sturdy boots. All the while, her mind was whirling.What should she do?
Lords Hamilton and Corbyn. Yes, she’d need to find them; they would help. They would know how to find Jamie surely?
Plan made, she went to her desk. Unlocking a drawer, Alice took out money and a pistol. She then hurried back out of the room and downstairs to wait.
“Alice, what is going on?” Her aunt was in the entrance way.
“I need to go out, Aunt Gwen, and I’m n-not sure how long I will be.”
Thankfully, her aunt had slept through last night’s commotion, and Alice had hoped she’d not learned about it, but now she wasn’t so sure. Her aunt had a very determined expression on her face as she approached.
“Where are you going, Alice? It is pouring with rain out there.”
She felt the tears then. Last night’s events combined with today’s were clearly taking their toll on Alice.
“A-Aunt Gwen.” She stepped into the open arms and let them wrap around her briefly. Her aunt’s familiar scent settled her.
“Tell me what is going on, Alice. I am stronger than I look, you know. Now speak to me. I’ve felt like you’ve been hiding things from me.” Her aunt eased back, gripping her arms.
“I need to go and help find Lord Stafford, Aunt. You see, he and I have been searching for someone, and that someone has now kidnapped him.” Alice held up a hand when her aunt opened her mouth to speak. “I will tell you the whole of it, I promise, but I must do this first.”
“I’m worried for you, Alice.”
“I know, but I promise I will be all right. But what I need you to help me with is the address of either Lord Hamilton or Lord Corbyn’s townhouse, Aunt Gwen.”
She was subjected to a long, studied look, and then her aunt told her the address of Lord and Lady Hamilton.
“Thank you.” Alice pressed a kiss to one soft, sweet-smelling cheek. “And I promise to tell you everything when I return. No more secrets.”
“I shall hold you to that, child. But first I wish to know one thing before you leave.”
“What’s that? Alice asked as she heard carriage wheels outside, rolling through the rain.
“Is Lord Stafford important to you because you care for him very much, Alice?”
Shock held her motionless. “Wh-why would you ask me that, Aunt Gwen?”
“Something Agatha told me had me wondering.”
“Ah, well, as to that—” the door behind her opened much to her relief, and Ezra stepped inside, shaking himself like a large dog.
“The carriage is ready, my lady,” he said. Then bowed deeply to Aunt Gwen, who all the staff adored. “I will take a moment to retrieve my coat, and one for the boy.”
The slap of Ezra’s wet boots had him running to the servants’ quarters.
