Page 33 of A Courtship of Conspiracies
James had no wish to leave without speaking to Kate. His mind would not rest until he did, and there were still several hours before the fight began. “If you do not mind some company, I would just as soon spend the day keeping you out of trouble.”
Hugh let out a loud laugh and then clutched his ribs. “As if I am the troublemaker of the group.”
James could not hold back a grin. “True, but I was more skilled at not getting caught.”
“Have your chess skills much improved since last time? If you wish to keep me company, the least you could do is allow me to best you in a game or two.”
James held no great illusions about his skill at chess, so he did not mind losing to Hugh, which he did several times. He was having a devilishly difficult time concentrating. Surely whateverhad taken Kate away from home could not keep her busy all day, especially in this weather.
As the heavy rain pelted the windows and the hours passed, James’s unease grew. He adopted a nonchalant tone. “Do you suppose Kate has returned by now?”
“I daresay she should have. Let me ring for Mrs. Hastings.”
But when the gray-haired housekeeper appeared at the door, her answer only increased his alarm.
“No, my lord. Did your parents not inform you of Lady Katherine’s travels?”
“Travels?” The single word betrayed his shock. He attempted a calmer voice. “Pardon me, I am only surprised. I spoke with her a few days ago and she did not mention any plans to travel.”
“I believe her plans were made at the last minute. She left early this morning to pay a visit to Lady Hawthorne, her aunt in Kent, who is ailing and in need of company,” Mrs. Hastings said with a glance at James. “She thought to be gone no more than a week at most.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hastings.” Hugh gave her a smile as she left the room. He settled back on the pillows. “Well, I suppose you shall have to wait a few days to resume your . . .” Hugh’s voice trailed away.
James’s expression had betrayed him, but he could scarcely contain the anger and fear coursing through him. He knew exactly what was in Kent besides Lady Hawthorne: Dover. And The Great Dover Shipping Company.
She had put together the same pieces he had and gone alone. His fist clenched at his side. He ought to have known. This was exactly the sort of thing Kate would have done as a girl, but it stung that she did not trust him, that she had not come to him for help.
A cold weight dropped in his stomach as the realization took hold. Shehadcome to him, and he had pushed her away,ignoring her concerns. It was his fault she had left. Guilt clawed at him, stealing his breath. This was not the first time someone he loved had been placed in danger because of his choices, but he would not let Kate’s story end the same way Henry’s had.
It would mean losing his only link to The Sentinel, but there was only one choice he could make.
James turned toward his confused friend who was patiently waiting for an explanation. “Excuse me, Hugh. It appears I am traveling to Kent.”
“Going courting in Kent, are you?” Hugh grinned. “Based on reports from William and Nicholas about the ball, I should not be surprised that you are chasing after her.”
Chasing her? James did not know if he was going to strangle her or kiss her when he saw her again. But whether she welcomed it or not, he would not let her face the perils of Dover alone.
“If she left early this morning, I must take my leave if I have any hope of overtaking her carriage.”
“You are leaving in this weather?” Hugh gestured at the storm raging outside. “You really have fallen for her, haven’t you?”
James declined to indulge him with an answer. He stood, placing a hand on Hugh’s shoulder. “I will come visit after we return home. Keep yourself out of trouble while I am gone, will you? I won’t be here to rescue you.” Without waiting for a response, he strode out, already calculating how quickly he could reach Kate.
He might be able to justify his recent actions to Westmarch without facing serious consequences, but journeying to Dover would be a step too far. It threatened his future as an agent.
And if he rode after Kate, he would be risking much more than that.
He had no guard, no defense against his growing feelings for her, because heaven help him, chasing her was not the danger.
Wanting her was.
Less than an hour later, James was riding Apollo on the Great Dover Road at a breakneck pace. Though he cursed the heavy storm and the mud-covered roads, he knew they would slow the pace of Kate’s carriage. She would be forced to stop at an inn for the night, and he would search every one of them until he found her.
Chapter 12
Kate
Kate removed her traveling gloves and warmed her hands on the chipped cream teacup as she watched raindrops trail like tears down the clouded windowpane. The private parlor she had secured upon arriving at The Nook & Lantern offered perfect shelter from the cold rain, and she was grateful to have discovered the quiet, secluded inn, tucked away from the bustling road beyond an old wooden bridge.
