“I do,” Gavin answered, bitter and disgusted.Gawd, he was a fool.
“My poor Charlene.” Tears came to her eyes. She blinked them back, thankfully. Gavin didn’t believe he could handle tears in the middle of this tempest.
Perkins didn’t appear comfortable with a weeping woman, either. “I do have news of your brother, Your Grace.”
“Did you find him at the wharves?”
“I had another idea and while your men were searching the docks, I started at the Horse and Horn asking questions. Someone saw a man answering Lord Jack’s description leave. However, he did not go to the wharves but in the opposite direction. I started making inquiries and at another posting inn, learned that Lord Jack hired two horses.”
“Two horses?” Mrs.Pettijohn said, taking heart. “Why would he need two horses?”
“Apparently, there was a young lad with him.”
“That’s her. That is Charlene,” Mrs.Pettijohn cried.
“She is a man?” Gavin asked, incredulous. “Are you saying now that the woman I have been escorting is a pickpocketing man?”
“She is a woman,” Mrs.Pettijohn responded tartly. “However, she is disguised as a boy. Your Grace, I now understand what is happening. They are eloping.”
“Which means Scotland.” He looked to Perkins. “What time did they hire the horses?”
“Very early this morning. Say three o’clock.”
“So they haven’t been gone long. I can catch up with them. Good work, Perkins. You can tell them to stop searching the waterfront. I’ll take care of the rest of this myself. I’m sure you understand the importance of discretion. See that the servants helping us are justly compensated.”
Perkins nodded and went out the door. Gavin started to follow.
Mrs.Pettijohn had the audacity to reach out and grab his coat. “Where are you going?”
“To stop an elopement. My family does not deal in scandal.”
“And what about my niece?”
Gavin did not want to think about Lady Charlene. She’d deceived him. She’d let him believe his feelings were reciprocated. She’d allowed him to make a fool of himself in front of thetonand then she’d run off with his brother. The betrayal from both of them cut deep, deeper than he wanted to admit.
He had loved her.
“She’s brazen enough to fend for herself,” he answered.
“I will not let that happen. I’m going with you, Your Grace.”
“No, you are not. I’ll be driving my phaeton. It is not a comfortable ride.”
“But it is a fast one and time is of the essence.”
“Agreed, however, you are staying here. I’ve had enough of our acquaintance.”
Her grip tightened on his coat. “If it is scandal you wish to avoid, then you had best take me with you. That is the price of my silence. I must protect my niece. Otherwise, I will stand on the highest roofs and tell everyone what I know of this story.”
“You would be destroying your niece as well.”
“Those of us who have little are not afraid of what others say.”
“Amazing. Blackmail, pickpocketing, thievery, and deception. Is there no end to the talent in your family, Mrs.Pettijohn?”
Her manner equally cool, she answered, “I take your question to mean that I am going with you.” She let go of his coat. “Let us not delay.”
Chapter Nineteen
