“It doesn’t matter.”The whispered words held a dark promise.“Thank you for coming to get me.Despite what I’ve said, I’m glad you did.”
“Listen.I’m sorry for what was done to you.Truly.If there’s anything else I can…” He stopped himself, aware that there was indeed something else he could do.She’d told him so already, yet he’d denied her.
Because of Croft.
The carriage started to slow as it pulled into Portman Square.
James’s mind raced.
He’d been Mr.Croft’s loyal servant for over a decade, during which he’d fought by his side, helped punish those who betrayed him, disposed of bodies, and risked his own life.
Yet Mr.Croft was strong.He could survive any ordeal thrown his way.There were others who could step in and help him.
The same might not be true of Lady Edwina, but to take her elsewhere, to break the promise James made to bring her to Croft, would be a deep betrayal.More than that, it put Croft in a difficult position with Wrengate.Plus, there was James’s own physical state to consider.
He’d been shot.Twice.Though he was fairly certain neither of the lead balls had struck any vital parts, they would still require extraction.
That aside, the fact that Lady Edwina feared returning home made him horribly uneasy.What sort of rescue was this if she did not feel safe?
That she would speak of paying for this with her life was deeply troubling.
Perhaps the least he could do was allow her one night to adjust.Everything that had happened was still so fresh.But if she were able to sleep and reflect, she might feel differently tomorrow.
Food would probably help too.A hearty meal and a chance to accept the situation for what it was would surely aid in her recovery.If James could talk to her at greater length, then he could convince her that running away wasn’t the answer.
Whatever Wrengate’s flaws, the duke would give her comfort and security, along with all the luxuries she was accustomed to.It was absurd for her to consider an alternative.
I’ll pay for this with my life.
First, he had to be certain she wouldn’t do something stupid.He’d never forgive himself if he let her go and she perished because he’d refused the help she’d requested.His own moral code owed it to her to make sure she would be all right.A more pressing duty than the one toward Croft, he reasoned.
Decision made, he opened the hatch in the roof and called to the driver, “There’s been a change of plan.Please continue onward to The Mad Bull Tavern.”
19
Adrian stared at the missive Elks had brought him while trying to come to grips with the information the words conveyed.
“Is something amiss?”Samantha asked.
She sat on the sofa beside him, cradling Alexandra while she slept.To think it was already more than a week since he’d fretted over both of their fates in the birthing room at Saint George’s, was inconceivable to him.The ensuing days had flown by with Samantha almost fully recovered now thanks to her excellent constitution.She’d started going for regular walks and was keen on adding some gentle exercises to her morning routine.
“Adrian,” she prodded when he didn’t respond to her question.
They’d removed themselves to the library after enjoying a quiet luncheon together — a brief reprieve in the constant battering of their lives – and now this.
Adrian stood and crossed to the fireplace.Forearm propped against the mantlepiece, he bowed his head and watched the flames dance across the logs.He should have known something would shatter the peace they’d found since returning home after Alexandra’s birth.
What shocked him most…
No, whatangeredhim most, was that he’d expected the upset to come from Finn O’Leary or Wrengate, possibly even both.Already, Wrengate had made his impatience with Adrian known.Understandable.Adrian would be out of his mind as well if he were in Wrengate’s position.So he took the threats the duke issued as proof of the fear he harbored for his sister rather than something to truly worry about.
Nevertheless, the duke remained a concern, though not as great a concern as O’Leary, whose shadow Adrian sensed was constantly stalking him.
But this…
He curled his fingers around the paper he held in his hand and felt it crumple slightly.Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined the next problem he’d have to deal with to be the betrayal of one of those closest to him.
“Lady Edwina has been saved from those who took her,” he said.
