Page 65 of Loving an Earl
“She saw someone dressed as a smuggler and was afraid of him.”
Both Caldwell and Blackstone chuckled. “That was Langford.”
“Of course it was. But knowing it was him doesn’t ease my fears. Where is she?”
“Where is who?” Of course, Langford chose that precise moment to join them.
“Lilly,” Emmeline replied, getting more worried by the second. “I got separated from her and can’t find her.”
She couldn’t see his face, but by the tightening of his stance, she could tell he was worried, too. “The Duke of Westport just told me that Redford was set free until his trial. Did any of you see him here?”
Emmeline thought she was going to be sick. How could this be? How could such a man simply be let loose?
“I think we should split up and check every inch of this place,” Langford continued. “Emmeline, you stay with Blackstone and check the family’s private rooms. Caldwell and I will separate and check all the public spaces and the immediate grounds. Talk to everyone and see if anyone remembers seeing her. Tell them her costume. Someone might know something. We should meet back here in an hour. Because if we haven’t found her by then, she isn’t here.”
*
Bloody hell, Edmundscolded himself for leaving his cane with the footman at the door as he limped as fast as he could down the hallway opening every door he came to and scanning the room from top to bottom. He soon found himself in the servants’ hall, which he believed led outside. Most of the London townhomes had similar floor plans and this was no different. He came to the kitchen and crossed it, taking a candle from the table as he went and continuing down the corridor. If Redford wanted to escape with Lilly unnoticed, this would be the best way.
His foot stepped on something that crunched beneath his boots. He picked it up and his heart tumbled to his knees. The squished, elaborate gold mask in his hands belonged to Lilly. He’d never forget the beauty of seeing her wearing it. He hobbled as quickly as he could and burst out the door into an alley. Breathing heavily, he continued running toward the street, scanning for anything out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, the street was full of parked vehicles, and guests still arriving. He hurried back inside to meet with the others, hoping against hope that they’d found her somewhere without her mask and his fears were unfounded, but when he saw them, Lilly wasn’t with them.
He wanted to tear his hair out and bellow at the top of his lungs. If only he had stayed with her earlier, insisting they had their conversation then. His insides had protested waiting until tomorrow, but he’d let her choose the time and place. He needed to ask her forgiveness for his crazed behavior of late, and he needed to say three life-altering words.I love you.He rubbed his chest, which ached from exertion and stark terror. He held up her mask.
“I found this near the servants’ entrance. Redford must have her.”
Emmeline leaned her head against Blackstone, and his arm circled her waist, helping her stand because she looked ready to collapse.
“Blackstone, take Emmeline home. Caldwell and I will go to my house and head out on horseback. I have an idea he’s heading for Gretna Green to force Lilly to marry him. We should be able to catch up with him.”
Thirty minutes later, Edmund and Caldwell sped off hoping to intercept the coach carrying Redford and Lilly before they traveled too far. Both parties would have to stop at roadside inns along the way for fresh horses. Fortunately for them, Redford would need to travel in a coach with Lilly and wouldn’t be able to move nearly as quickly as they could on horseback.
Into the dark they rode, not as fast as Edmund would have liked, but to keep the horses and themselves safe, they had to go slower than during the daytime. Not to mention a throbbing pain lancing up and down his leg causing him nausea.
After twenty miles or so, they stopped to retrieve fresh horses, and as much as Edmund needed to rest his leg, which had gone numb, there would be time after they found Lilly. When Edmund inquired about a man and woman traveling with a driver, his tension eased somewhat. They had been seen. God only knew that Redford had done to Lilly by now, but at least they knew they were on the right trail, and they were only about a half hour behind the carriage. If they pushed the horses harder they could overtake Redford soon.
They quickly switched their saddles, and off they went. For the first time since he knew what happened to Lilly, he breathed deeper, knowing he would find her and she would soon be safe from the bloody blackguard that was the murderous Viscount Redford. And if it was the last thing he did, he would see the man pay for his actions regarding Lilly.
Minutes later, the clouds parted and the moon illuminated the road. Edmund spotted the carriage not far ahead. Without slowing, both he and Caldwell retrieved the pistols they were carrying—just in case. He wouldn’t put anything past Redford.
Edmund and Caldwell split up, riding on either side of the coach forcing the driver to stop. “See here! What is the nature of your business?” the driver spat at them.
“We have come for the kidnapped lady,” Caldwell said as he aimed his pistol at the driver. “Do not move or I’ll put a bullet in you.”
Edmund, his heart up near his throat, slid off his mount and staggered as he moved cautiously toward the door. Before he made it, the door flung open, and two shots were fired in his direction. He dove beneath the carriage in the nick of time. At the sound of Redford reloading, Edmund scurried from beneath the coach and flung open the now-closed door and pointed his gun at Redford. Hatred shone from Redford’s eyes as he realized he was caught.
“Put the guns down. Slide them on the floor and kick them out of the carriage.” Without taking his eyes, or his pistol, off Redford, Edmund kicked the pistols away from the coach. Still meeting Redford’s glare, Edmund asked, “Lilly, are you hurt?” He could not risk looking at her. Redford was desperate, and a desperate man would do almost anything to get what he wanted.
“No.” Hearing her voice confirm she wasn’t hurt nearly took him to the ground with relief.
“Caldwell,” Edmund yelled.
He came up beside Edmund. “Yes.”
“Is the driver secured?”
“Yes. My best sailor’s knot. He won’t be going anywhere until some poor blackguard frees him.”
“Do the same for Redford.” Caldwell climbed into the carriage, clearly happy to oblige. “Lilly, you may get out.”
