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At the realization that she was not dead, Percy breathed again, the cool night air rushing into his lungs. “Thank God. Which direction did they go?” The driver pointed north along the road. Percy wasted not a moment but turned and ran back to his horse.

“What did you find?” Cecil asked, handing him back his reins.

“Mowbray has taken her to a nearby inn for help,” Percy replied, stepping up into the saddle.

Cecil’s face lit up with hope. “So, we have a chance of stopping them?”

“If we hurry.” Percy nodded. He turned his horse’s head back north and maneuvered her back onto the road.

Cecil followed. “I had hoped that it was not true,” he murmured, shaking his head in disbelief and disappointment. “I cannot believe that my sister would be so foolish.”

Percy shot Cecil a reproachful look. “She is attempting to save your family from ruin. Do not judge her so harshly.” Urging his horse forward, they took off back down the road.

“She would not need to save our family from ruin if you had not compromised her,” Cecil shouted to Percy so that he could be heard over the pounding of the horse’s hooves as he rode alongside of him.

Percy gave Cecil a warning look. “I did not compromise her. She is still in possession of her virtue.”

Cecil was not one to give up his anger easily. “That may be so, but you should never have touched her.”

Percy knew that he was right, but he would not go back and change what he had done. “I know that what I did has placed her in a difficult situation, but I would do it again. I do not regret my time with her or anything that has happened between us. I love her.” His last words hung in the air between them unanswered, as if Cecil no longer knew what to say.

They fell silent, each with their own thoughts on what lay before them. Percy prayed that Herbert Mowbray had not done anything to harm Madeleine. He had believed Mowbray to be a man of some honor. Mowbray was a cowardly gambling drunkard, but Percy never would have thought him capable of compromising a young lady’s reputation or virtue by taking her to a place such as Gretna Green. He valued the opinions of society too much for that.

In spite of his many flaws, Mowbray had always been a stickler for the proprieties between men and women. Had Percy thought him capable of such a thing as running off with Madeleine, he would have punched Mowbray in the face instead of simplyusing a stern tone of voice with him to scare him away from Madeleine at the ball.

Perhaps I should have challenged him to a duel.Percy was fairly certain that Cecil, as Madeleine’s brother, intended to challenge Mowbray to a duel himself to restore the family honor. Percy was not entirely certain that Cecil did not intend to challenge him to a duel as well. Percy would never harm Cecil, but Cecil might kill him for his sister’s virtue.It would have been worth it. She is worth it.

When they arrived at the inn, Percy went to question the stablemaster while Cecil went in to speak with the innkeeper. When Percy entered the stables, a young lad met him at the door. He took in the quality of Percy’s clothes and signet ring with one glance and adopted a respectful stance. “How may I be of service, My Lord?”

“I am looking for a man by the name of Lord Herbert Mowbray and a young lady that is traveling with him. Have you seen them?”

The boy shook his head. “I have not seen any young ladies, My Lord. There was a gentleman here, but he did not give me his name.”

“Describe him to me.”

“There was a man who was in a carriage accident. He arrived with two horses, but no saddles. He traded the horses for new ones and asked that we send a man to aid his driver in repairingthe carriage. We have not been able to spare a man as of yet, but we will send someone soon.”

“That is the man I am looking for. You are certain that there was not a lady with him?”

“I am as certain as I can be, My Lord. I never saw a lady with him,” the boy confirmed.

Percy was uncertain as to what that meant. “How long has it been since they left?”

The boy shrugged. “I could not say, My Lord. I do not own a fancy pocket watch like yours” he gestured towards Percy’s father’s watch on a chain in his vest pocket, “and it has been very busy this evening.”

“Thank you for your assistance.” He handed the boy a coin then left the stable to meet Cecil near where they had tied the horses.

“Anything?” Cecil asked, his face hopeful.

Percy nodded. “The stable hand said that a man fitting Mowbray’s description came and traded horses, but he claims that he never saw a woman with him. Did you find anything inside?”

Cecil shook his head. “The innkeeper said that no woman of Madeleine’s description has been seen this evening, but hedid recognize Mowbray. He apparently bought some bread and cheese but did not stay long.”

“Did he buy enough food for two people?”

“He did,” Cecil confirmed.

Percy sighed, nodding. “Did the innkeeper happen to note how long ago that was?”