Page 43 of Pride of Valor

Mrs. Lanigan spoke again. “She always sends word as soon as she gets there so we don’t worry.”

Richard was stunned to realize the two servants in front of him were as concerned about Harriet’s welfare as if she were their daughter. He also had no idea what the protocol would be amongst the aristocracy once Harriet and Grantham’s marriage agreement was finalized. Would she stay the night at the man’s estate?

Carrick must have read his mind. “Pardon me, Lieutenant, for being frank, but this was going to be a marriage of convenience. She wouldn’t stay under his roof one more night than she had to.”

Mrs. Lanigan interrupted. “And she took the boy, the dogs, and Thomas Footman. I doubt that old man would tolerate all that confusion and mess under his roof if he didn’t have to.” The housekeeper paused, and Richard thought she might be done, but instead, she seemed to gather steam. “In fact, if I may be so bold, I think she dragged that muddy, noisy bunch along in the hopes he’d cry off.”

Carrick turned and gave her a stern look.

“Sorry, sir. Sorry, Lieutenant, Captain. I spoke out of turn. I-there’s something I have to tell Cook.” With that, she turned and disappeared back into the lodge.

Richard clenched and unclenched his hands, turning over in his mind a hundred different things that could have happened to Harriet and Nicholas.

If that whoreson of a Lord, Julian Blandford, had so much as touched either one of them, he wouldn’t have to resort to pistols or swords at dawn, Richard would kill him where he stood with his bare hands.

Next to him, Captain Thorne laid a hand on his shoulder. “It’s about a two-hour ride to Bocollyn House…”

“How are we supposed to get there? Harriet has the carriage.”

Carrick tapped Richard on the shoulder. “There are two horses left in the stable.”

As soon asHarriet reached Bocollyn and apprised Sidmouth of what had happened, he ordered his carriage around.

“Where are we going?” Harriet demanded.

“‘We’ aren’t going anywhere. You’re going to stay here until I get back”

“I’m coming along. They have my son.”

He gave her a long look. “You’re right. If you don’t mind a little gore, then come along.”

At the look on her face, he added, “We’re going to go back to where your carriage was run off the road. If those two bastards you struck are still alive, I’m going to make them wish they were dead. They’ll gladly tell us where Blandford took Nicholas when I’m done with them.” He ran his hands through his hair and pulled on a long overcoat. “We also need to get your driver to a surgeon in Falmouth as soon as possible. Was your footman injured as well?”

“They beat him with their fists, but he was back on his feet and helping the driver when I left.”

By the time the carriage came around to the front of Bocollyn House, there were a half-dozen outriders carrying lanterns as well. Sidmouth was taking no chances. Two of them accompanied an open wagon driven by one of his groomsmen. At a questioning look from Harriet, he said, “For the bodies.”

Her Grace, Lady Sidmouth, who apparently was still staying at the groomsman’s cottage, met them as they were about to leave and climbed into the carriage next to Harriet without a word. She opened her reticule to display two small pistols, one of which she handed to Harriet.

Sidmouth glared at them as if he wanted to say something, but then just shook his head and knocked on the roof for the driver to head down the road.

20

On the way to Bocollyn, Richard and Thorne rode suddenly into the midst of a horrifying scene. Harriet’s carriage had left the road and leaned precariously against a tree.

Her footman, Thomas, had managed to light the lanterns on the carriage and was sitting quietly with Max and Fleur. He’d pulled the squabs from inside the carriage and had made a sort of pallet where the driver lay. Thomas had wrapped the man’s injured leg tightly with a blanket.

Two strangers lay in the grass, one with an arrow still in his chest below a shoulder. Both were covered in blood. They were still conscious, but moaning in pain

However, there was no sign of Harriet or Nicholas. Richard swallowed his need to take his fists to the strangers and forced himself to get an explanation of what had happened from Thomas.

“We’d just left Grantham’s house, and Lady Blandford decided she had to see Sidmouth…”

Richard interrupted. “What happened at Grantham’s?”

Harriet’s footman hesitated. “I’m not sure…I don’t want to pass on tales.”

“Thomas, this is important. It may help us find the culprits.” Thorne used an encouraging tone.