He sniffed and wiped his nose on his sleeve. “The masked man came riding out of the trees, Lady Diana. He fired his gun into the air…” Joseph paused, his pale face gone paler. “Bullen pulled up the horses. Then the rogue rode over and pulled open the carriage door. He demanded Lady Anne come with him. The maid screamed, and our lady tried to calm her.
“Before we knew what was what, he’d pulled Lady Anne from the carriage, and atop his horse. She looked about to faintas he rode off into the trees with her. Her little dog, Toby, leapt down from the coach and chased after them. Haven’t seen hide nor hair of either of them since.”
Diana’s stomach twisted and she felt sick. “What did this villain look like?”
“He was big, wore an old coat and breeches, his hat pulled low. A red handkerchief tied over his lower face muffled his voice.” Joseph dragged in a breath. “I’ll never forget his eyes. He made me freeze with fear, my lady,” he confessed, looking at his boots.
“It must have been very frightening, Joseph. Whereabouts did it happen?”
The groom gazed around at the stables. “I can’t tell you no more, my lady. Not proper for you to be here. It’s more than my job’s worth to speak of it. Old Bullen has got it in for me as it is.” He turned away and led the horse into the stables.
Diana, shocked, tears blinding her, could do nothing but ride home again.
Leaving the mourners in the drawing room, Diana stepped down from the terrace and walked along the drive to the stables. Their coachman, John Bullen, groaned. “I still can’t believe it,” he said with an audible gulp. “We was unprepared for such an attack. Joseph, the groom, feared he’d be blamed, because he hadn’t reached for his gun. He felt sure the master would let him go without a character. So, he’s run off.” He shook his head. “They say Lady Daintith has taken sick. Such a sweet lady was Lady Anne. Always with a smile for me when I brought the coach around. This family will never be the same again.”
“Where was the ransom left?” Diana asked him.
Bullen shrugged. “No idea, my lady. Apparently, Lord Daintith was told to come alone. He went off in his curricle.”
“Was he gone long?” Diana asked, wondering where he had gone.
“He returned that evening. Didn’t say a word to us. The horses were in a sweat, so he’d driven them hard.”
“Where was the coach held up?”
“On the woodland road, only a few miles from here.”
Diana bit the inside of her cheek to quell her own rising panic as she returned to the house. How she might learn more? Was it even possible to search for Anne herself? She must try. She’d make a plan.
In the coach returning home with her father and grandmother, Diana dared to ask more. “Papa, was the ransom collected?”
“It was.”
“Did Lord Daintith tell you where he left the ransom? Was he met by someone?”
Her father studied her. “Not to my knowledge. Why do you ask, Diana?”
She tried to sound calm. “I’m curious.”
“An inn,” her father said reluctantly. “The Hare and Hounds.”
“Where is the inn?”
“I’ve no idea,” Papa said. “Somewhere disreputable, I am sure. Best we put this behind us, Diana. Shall we move on to more pleasing topics?” He sighed heavily, his face grim. “I wouldn’t like to see you spoil your Season in London. A thorough search was made by Bow Street. Nothing can bring Lady Anne back.” He frowned. “You should take note, Diana. How dangerous the world is for an unprotected woman. Never ride without a groom.”
Diana firmed her lips to keep from mentioning Anne had not been alone. She had traveled with a trusted staff.
Grandmama squeezed Diana’s arm in sympathy, and the rest of the journey passed in silence, while Diana thirsting for more knowledge, fought not to argue with him, and rage against his callous comments, knowing it would do no good.
*
London
Four weeks later
Although Diana nowhad little desire to be in London, ten days later, at her father’s urging, she’d accompanied him to their Mayfair home for the Season.
They had been in the city for three weeks and as Diana was still deeply distressed, after learning that Anne’s mother had died of a broken heart shortly after the memorial for Anne, she found dancing with gentlemen dull and struggled to focus. This all seemed like a waste of her time when she could be out searching for Anne.
