Page 53 of Part of Your World

"I'll deal with my father and take full responsibility. You have my word." Knowing his father was coming to the carriage house saved him the time of tracking him down.

When Eddie made no move to climb into the driver's seat, Zane touched the man's shoulder. "Please, Eddie. We just learned Miss Quinn's nephew has been kidnapped."

The groom's eyes rounded. "Kidnapped?"

Zane nodded. "Yes. He's only ten. Please. We have a plan to retrieve him, but time is of the essence."

"God help him." Eddie swallowed hard then met Zane's gaze with determination. "I'll take her, sir. And I'll not spare the horses."

Zane clapped him on the back. "Good man. Thank you."

Eddie scampered up into the driver's box and took up the reins. With a click of his tongue and a snap of the lines, Eddie set the horses in motion.

"What the devil?" Father jumped out of the way, narrowly avoiding being clipped by the moving carriage. "Get back here, you fool! That's my transport."

"Not anymore." Zane hurried to intercept him. "I commandeered the vehicle for Muriel."

"Bah." Father shoved past him. "That girl is a plague."

Zane snagged his father's arm and twirled him around, ignoring the scowl of disbelief on his sire's face. "That girl is going to be my wife. And if you will cease defaming her for a moment, I'll explain what is happening."

Father jerked his arm away from Zane's hold and tugged his coat sleeve back into its proper place. "I see what is happening plainly enough. You've chosen that gold-digging Jezebel over your own flesh and blood. I should write you out of my will this very night."

"Do it!" Zane's veins throbbed in his neck. "I don't want your money. I want to save a young boy's life. That's what's at stake here. Or is a child's life less important than your date at the lodge?"

Father's scowl tightened. "What nonsense are you spewing now?"

"Muriel's nephew has been abducted. Mrs. Underhill is using him as leverage to ensure we hand over that journal you stole."

His father scoffed. "Please. You're far too gullible. Can't you see that girl's still manipulating you? It's all about that stupid book. She doesn't care about you at all."

A roar of frustration swelled in Zane's throat, begging for release. "For pity's sake. Can you set your suspicions aside for two seconds? Muriel wasn't the one who told me. Mrs. Underhill's maid told us. Right after you left your office. Mrs. Underhill has hired a group of smugglers to do her dirty work. They have Fletcher stowed away on a boat anchored offshore. If I don't hand over her journal, the boy will be dumped at sea."

"It's a bluff." Father's eyes didn't quite match his casual, unconcerned tone. They dodged side-to-side as if he were calculating the odds at a high-stakes poker game. "Octavia might have paid to have a boat weigh anchor offshore to lend credence to her story, but she'd not harm a child. She's a woman. Women don't have the stomach for things like that."

"What if you're wrong?" Zane pressed. "Can you live with a child's blood on your hands? I can't. I'm going to that meeting whether you give me the journal or not."

"Don't be a fool. This isn't your problem. Let Miss Quinn and that mountain of a father of hers handle it. There's no reason for you to get involved."

"No reason?" Zane's hands slapped against his sides in exasperation. "What about common decency? Honor? I gave my word to Muriel that I'd help her, and I aim to do just that."

Zane huffed out a disgusted breath and strode for the exit. He needed to find Grandpa Clem.

"Zane. Wait." His father chased him down and took hold of his arm. "It could be dangerous, son. If you show up empty-handed, Octavia could take her anger out on you. On this family."

Zane spun on his father. "By telling your secrets, you mean? Do you never stop thinking of yourself? A ten-year-old boy's life is hanging in the balance, and all you care about is your own position."

"Hang my position," Father growled. "I care about you. If that woman hired smugglers, they'll not balk at taking their pound of flesh. We nearly lost you after that boating accident. I won't allow you to place yourself in danger again."

"You have no say in the matter. I'm going whether you approve or not." Zane turned to leave.

"You can't show up without the journal, Zane."

He halted and turned to face his father. "Then give it to me." He extended his hand. "Please."

Father rubbed a hand over his face and paced a few steps away. "But if this is all a ruse, I'll be forfeiting my advantage for nothing."

"Then come with me," Zane dared. "See for yourself if the boy is in trouble. Decide if I'm worthy of making the sacrifice."