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Lydia

Freddy hurried down the stairs, and Lydia rushed after him. “We’ll have the carriage readied immediately.” He paused at the bottom of the stairwell. “Mrs. Smith!” he bellowed.

Their housekeeper came bustling into the entry a moment later, puffing and holding her chest. “Yes, my lord?”

“Have a trunk packed for Lady Bentley. A sennights’ worth. I need it done an hour ago. Just the essentials.”

“It’ll be done,” Mrs Smith said, determination etched on her face as she headed up the stairs.

“Are we leaving for Devonford Castle?” Lydia asked, hurrying after her again striding husband. “You are. And Mr. Porter. I have a feeling he’s going to want to see the boy nearly as badly as you.”

Lydia’s heart swayed in her chest like a pendulum. She couldn’t put into words how badly she wanted to see Malcolm. The fear that had dug its dirt-filled talons into her chest and latched on. Unconscious. No other information. God, why had she let him go through with it?

Because, when it came down it, it had been a vital part of him, who he was as a man at his core. And she could never ask him to abandon who he was.

She yanked on Freddy’s sleeve, halting him. “Freddy, I cannot just march into Devonford Castle and collect Malcolm. A lady would never do such a thing. It’ll raise all sorts of questions.”

“Yes, of course,” he said gruffly. “You’re quite right.” He sucked in a breath. “Mrs. Smith!”

Lydia winced and turned toward the stairwell that her husband was already bounding up. Mrs. Smith appeared at the top of the stairs. Freddy murmured something to her. She gave a firm nod and disappeared again.

In the next moment, Freddy was at Lydia’s side, and she blinked. Goodness, the man was spry for seven-and-forty.

“Excellent.” Freddy tucked her arm in his and dragged her out the front door. They entered the stables, and Freddy immediately began barking instructions. Grooms and stable boys instantly jumped to attention, scrambling to complete their orders.

Mr. Porter came hurrying out of the tack room. “How can I be of service, my lord, my lady.”

“You will be escorting Her Ladyship to Devonford Castle. Leaving at once.”

Mr. Porter’s eyes widened briefly before he schooled his expression. But not quick enough.

“Bloody hell, Porter! You knew?”

Mr. Porter grimaced.

Freddy cursed. “I would have expected you to put a stop to something like that. The foolish boy.”

Lydia settled a palm on her husband’s arm. “Freddy, be at ease. Mr. Campbell is his own man. Mr. Porter has no control over what he does.”

Freddy glared at her. “Well, I sure as hell do. And this is the last time Mr. Campbell participates in one of these raids. I am going to give the lad an ear blistering so fierce he’ll wish he was unconscious again.

His very neck was on the line. And if it came back that it was one of our servants?

Our name could be dragged through the mud.

This type of behavior does not happen under my purview. ”

Mr. Porter glanced between Lydia and her husband. Wrinkling his cap in his hands. “Unconscious? What exactly is going on? Why am I escorting her ladyship there?”

“Mr. Campbell has been in an accident.” Freddy’s voice softened. “He is unconscious. The Duke has a doctor attending to him, which is incredibly generous. That is the extent of what we know.”

The color disappeared from Mr. Porter’s face in a wave. His gaze shot to hers, the same fear she felt reflected at her.

“Gather what you’ll need for the journey. And make haste. If the team is driven hard and changed frequently, you can make it to Devonford Castle tonight.”

With a sharp nod, Mr. Porter left.

“Freddy,” Lydia said in a low voice, stepping up to him.

“Are you sure it is all right if I go? Possibly for a sennight? Leaving the children for that long…” She hated this.

How she felt torn in two. She couldn’t not go to Malcolm.

Lord, she had to be there. If the worst—her throat thickened to the point of choking.

Freddy gripped her shoulders, fingers biting into her.

Grounding her. “The children will be well, Lyddie. I am here for anything they need. If Fitzwilliam has his nightmares, I’ll set up on the floor in the nursery.

We will be well. Your groom needs you. And I suggest you give him a stern talking to about his clandestine activities when he wakes up. His raiding days are over, Lyddie.”

She nodded. When Malcolm woke up. Lydia needed to hold on to that. The confidence her husband held. She couldn’t deign to think about the alternative.

A shuddering breath shook her chest, and Freddy pulled her into his arms. “Life couldn’t possibly be so cruel, could it, Freddy?” His arms tightened around her, and she sniffled. “To finally grant me the love of my life, only to immediately take him away.”

Freddy planted a kiss on the top of her head. “No, Lyddie, I refuse to believe it. Now go bring your groom home.”