“Ahh, Iaminterrupting then,” Robby said with a lazy grin.
“Come in and sit down,” Ridge muttered, waving an irritated hand at his younger brother.
Robby sauntered over and slouched into an armchair. He stretched his hands over the arms and drummed his fingers over the material.
“So what events made you rearrange your plans?” Robby asked.
Ridge looked down at India, hoping to ease her tension. “Please, sit,” he murmured.
She looked fragile, as if she could break at the slightest touch, yet he knew there was a thread of steal underneath her skin. He wondered if her captivity had strengthened or weakened her.
He saw resolve. Unrelenting resolve. Each time he looked at her. She was more driven than any person he’d ever become acquainted with, and yet she was a mere wisp of a woman. Soft.
His hands ached to touch her, to offer comfort to her. He had the most irrational desire to shield her, protect her, and yet he knew she needed no such thing from him. Nor did she want it.
She sank back down on the settee, but he saw her legs still shook. The image of her running scared through the streets of London tightened his chest. He felt fear, and he was unaccustomed to that emotion.
Clenching his fingers into fists, he turned to Robby, needing the distraction his brother offered.
“A man tried to harm India today. It’s not the first time. He’s broken into both our residences.”
Robby’s eyebrows shot up. “The devil you say! What on earth does he want?”
“I believe he wants what information we have on Pagoria.”
“That city’s becoming a dreadful nuisance,” Robby grumbled.
Ridge sat down in the chair between the settee where India sat and the armchair where Robby was sprawled. “We can’t just waltz out of London on the first ship to Spain. He’s likely watching our every move.”
India nodded her agreement, her expression wry.
“What do you suggest then? It’s a bit of a swim if you don’t mind me saying,” Robby said dryly.
Ridge rolled his eyes at his brother’s attempt at wit. “We need a diversion. Someway to make our man think we’ve gone somewhere else.”
He rubbed his chin for a moment then eyed India. “It might delay our departure a bit, but I believe I might have an idea.”
She leaned forward, her eyes bright with interest.
“We send Robby, Udaya and Kavi ahead to Brighton to wait for us. You and I secure passage on a ship to America. Even board, in plain sight. Then somehow, we sneak off the ship and travel to Brighton where we take a ship to San Sebastian.
“It will appear as though we’ve sailed to America, and perhaps it will throw off our persistent attacker.”
“Why do I miss out on all the excitement?” Robby muttered. “And who is Udaya and Kavi?”
“They are my family,” India said quietly.
“What do you think?” Ridge asked India, ignoring Robby’s question.
“It could work,” she said slowly. “At this point, we must try something. Simply boarding a ship to San Sebastian is out of the question.”
Ridge eyed Robby. “Can you traveldiscreetlyto Brighton with India’s companions?”
Robby gave him a mock hurt look. “As if I would do something that would bring you harm.”
“Are you sure you want to do this, Robby?”
Ridge wondered if Robby realized the magnitude of this journey or if he considered it a lark. He was inclined to believe the latter.
