“He mentioned his concern for Julia, his niece.”
She gasped. “Oh, you must help her.”
“As she is Farnborough’s stepdaughter, there’s not a lot I can do.”
“But still, there must be something.”
“I have something in mind.” He reached across to touch her soft cheek. “You must leave this with me and try not to worry.”
A frown creased her smooth forehead. “So, that is all you’ll tell me?”
“I won’t have you mixed up in this, Thea.”
“I am mixed up in it, my lord,” she said grittily. “It’s clear you believe I am in danger from Farnborough, or you wouldn’t have that man watching me.”
“Clever girl,” he said approvingly, admiring her spirit.
She laughed. “You’re rather clever yourself, sir.”
Ash was strongly tempted to lean over and steal a kiss, but the door opened.
Lady Trentham, perhaps having decided he and Thea had spent enough time alone, entered the room without the embroidery. Ash took his leave, regretful that he could not hold Thea in his arms and kiss the worry lines from her brow. He was relieved to be removing her from London for a while. By the time they married, all this would be at an end, and they could concentrate on more enjoyable pursuits.
In the street, he retrieved the reins from the young footman, who enthused for several minutes about Dancer, Ash’s bay gelding.
At Corbet’s house in Westminster, the young maid answered the door. “I wish to see Mr. Corbet. Is he in?”
She eyed him boldly, up and down, with an unmistakable gleam in her eye. “He isn’t. Can you call back later?”
“Did he leave an address where he can be found?”
“No. But he’s gone into Middlesex. Said he’ll be away until tomorrow.”
Ash cursed under his breath. “How long ago did he leave? And by what means?”
“Only about an hour. He usually sleeps past luncheon. Surprised me when he was up and about so early. After a visitor came, he rushed off to hire a vehicle from the stables down the road.” She eyed him curiously. “You’re the second toff to visit him today. The uppity lord was rude to me. You’re much nicer,” she said with a cheeky grin. “I wonder why there’s all this interest in Mr. Corbet.”
“The other gentleman? Did he leave his card?”
“No, but he’s been here before. Tall and fair and quite good looking if you fancy faces cut from stone.” She shivered. “Not me.”
He touched his hat with his crop. “Thank you, Miss.”
“Molly,” she said with a fetching smile. “Call again, sir.”
Ash rode back to the stables and ordered his curricle. He would need to make good time to catch the brute before he reached the boarding school, for surely that was his destination. Ash’s jaw tightened. Farnborough acted more speedily than he’d expected. But this time, he had no intention of arriving too late, as he had with poor Robert Spencer.
When he called at his rooms in Albany to grab his pistol, Whisky, who had just returned from a walk with Ash’s valet, threw himself at Ash, his big feet planted on his chest, causing him to step back. Ash eyed the undisciplined dog whose muddy paws had marked his gray greatcoat. “Come on then,” he said, resigned, brushing away the damage. “I hope you’re good company and not an almighty pest.”
Whisky needed no encouragement to leap into the curricle and take his place beside Ash.
A half-hour later, Ash, with dog and Jed aboard, cleared the worst of the traffic and was heading toward Middlesex, making excellent time. Had Corbet been as fortunate? An hour earlier, the traffic would have been a good deal heavier, with vehicles coming and going from London stores and Covent Garden market.
Ash urged the horses on. His matched pair of thoroughbreds were incomparable and made splendid time. “What do you think, Whisky?” Ash asked the dog. “Will we catch up with the blighter?”
“Woof.”
“I’m pleased you agree.”
