“Is that a hamper?” Lord Corbyn asked when he was seated across from her in the carriage, and Bobby had once again climbed up beside the still scowling Ezra. Thankfully, the rain had slowed now to a drizzle.
“It is. Would you like something?” It took a great deal for Alice to be put off her food, but suddenly she had no appetite.
“I would indeed. It’s early, and I only ate the first plate of my breakfast before Anthony’s note arrived.” He opened the hamper and unwrapped the first item.
“Shortbread biscuits,” he whispered, closing his eyes briefly. “My cook is not the best at making these, although she does try.” He bit into one and sighed.
“I shall take some to Bobby and my driver,” Alice said. She climbed out with the biscuits and held them up to Bobby. “Eat these, as I have no wish for either of you to faint because yougrow lightheaded. I fear the day will be a long one, as we will not be returning to the townhouse until Lord Stafford is found.”
“We’ll find him,” Ezra barked, taking the biscuits Bobby handed him. “Thank you.”
She climbed back inside as Lord Hamilton sprinted out the door wearing his great coat and a hat. He climbed inside, and then they were moving.
“Give me one of those,” he said, snatching a shortbread out of his friend’s hands.
Soon the only noises inside the carriage were of them eating and the slosh of the wheels. Alice felt fear claw at her throat again, now that she was still. Hopeless fear filled her. How would they find Jamie?
“I fear for him.” Alice hadn’t realized she’d spoken the words out loud until they stopped eating.
“Jamie will look after himself until we reach him, Lady Alice.” Lord Hamilton spoke first.
“Alice, please call me that.”
“Alice. I am Anthony, and this is Toby.”
She nodded for him to continue, needing him to tell her that Jamie would indeed be alive when they reached him—they had to reach him.
“He is possibly the strongest of us all, and perhaps that is why Jackson was hardest on him,” Toby said.
“Please allow me to say how sorry I am that you all suffered at Blackwood Hall, as did my brother. It is because of him I am determined to see Kenneth Jackson punished for his sins.” Alice knew these two men would understand her need for vengeance.
Toby said solemnly, “He will pay. Anthony, Jamie, and I will make sure of it, Alice.”
She had to be content with that as they rolled through the streets of London.
It was just another day for those they passed as they went about their business. Looking out the window, Alice wondered how everything could seem so normal, when it wasn’t, not for her. Nothing would be the same again if Jamie didn’t survive whatever hell he was suffering.
Her companions asked her to wait in the carriage when they reached Jackson’s lodgings, and she reluctantly agreed. Their argument had been that it would be easier to slip in and out with fewer people taking notice, especially if they had to break into the property.
She watched out the window as Bobby led the two noblemen from the carriage until they vanished. Alice gripped the edge of the seat, struggling to sit still. The sudden silence was unbearable.
After a minute, she stood on the seat and shoved open the roof hatch. “If they’re gone too long, I shall—”
“You most certainly will not,” Ezra cut in. His voice was a low growl, hat lowered so she could see only his eyes. “Let them do what they must. You’ll only slow them down.”
“I am not a fool,” she snapped.
“No,” he said, glancing back at her, “but that man’s tugged on your heartstrings, and that makes a person rash.”
The words hit too close, so instead of answering, she closed the hatch and sat once more.
Minutes crawled past, and Alice wanted to get out of the carriage and pace, at the very least. Every nerve was screaming. Images flashed through her mind of Jamie fighting, Jamie bleeding, Jamie lying still.No, he’s alive.She forced herself to breathe.
The carriage door opened suddenly. Anthony climbed in, eyes alight with grim purpose. “He’s not there,” he said. “The room’s been stripped clean.”
“Completely?”
“Not quite.” Toby entered behind him, holding a scrap of paper. “We found this.”
