Tapping the whip against his thigh in a steady rhythm, he moved closer. “I can do without big cities, and most especially the people there. They are just a bunch of gossipmongers, if you ask me.” He paused, tilting his head as he studied her. “Why didn’t you go? I heard my aunt and uncle were taking Lady Sarah to the opera. Won’t you need to assist her?”
She shrugged. “According to your cousin, her maid will suffice just nicely for both of them. Miss Rebecca was determined that I shouldn’t go with Lady Sarah.”
He stood beside her now. His gaze roamed slowly over her face, making butterflies dance in her stomach. Taking a deep breath of courage, she inhaled his intoxicating scent of leather and spice.
“I must apologize for my cousin. She can be very manipulative sometimes.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Sometimes?”
He chuckled. “You are correct. She is manipulativeallthe time.”
“Indeed.”
“You look disappointed that you were not able to go,” he said.
She nodded. “I, too, would have liked to see an opera in London. It would have been nice to partake of the scenery and pleasures.”
“Maybe someday you will.”
She shrugged. “Perhaps.”
There was silence between them for the next few moments. Broderick glanced at her a few times but mostly watched inside the stable. When his attention wandered her way, a different expression touched his face. It was as if a light flickered to life in his head. His eyes widened as he turned them to her.
“I have a message for Lady Sarah. I received this yesterday, but she was out. Do you mind if I tell you instead and you can relay it to her?”
“Of course,” she replied.
“Remember your carriage accident on your way to my uncle’s estate?”
“How could I forget?”
“Well, apparently the authorities found your driver.”
She gasped and stepped closer. “They did? Was he terribly hurt?”
“Just the opposite, in fact.” Broderick shook his head. “He was drunk and spouting the truth. Apparently, he knew Lady Sarah’s uncle was lord chancellor, and the driver wanted to harm her as a way to get back at her uncle.”
Emmie slapped a hand over her mouth. Indeed, her father had been correct to assume his daughter might be in trouble. Breathing slower, she lowered her hand. “But we switched carriages before we even set foot in Greenwich. How did the driver know?”
“I’m assuming the first driver you had told him.”
“That could have happened.”
“Apparently, the second driver released the horses before jumping off the vehicle just as it traveled down the slope. That’s why the coach turned over the way it did.”
She nodded, blinking back tears. Was her family safe anywhere? Still, if these citizens knew that she really did side with them and not her uncle, perhaps they would not want to harm her. “I thank you for letting me know. I shall inform Lady Sarah as soon as she returns.”
“Yes. She would definitely like to know.”
Panic welled in her chest, and she grasped Broderick’s arm. “Mr. Worthington, could I ask you a favor?”
“Anything,” he said in a soft voice.
“Please don’t say anything about the lord chancellor being related to Lady Sarah. That is why we are here. The earl wanted to protect his daughter.”
“I understand. I only hope the driver and the authorities haven’t gossiped about it.”
“I hope not, too, or Lady Sarah’s father will be sending us somewhere else.”
