Chapter Thirty
“Where are we going to find them?” James asked as he and Nathan approached Barry, the sunset lighting up the sky in reds, oranges, and yellows that might have been beautiful if he had the capacity to notice beauty anymore. “We have no idea where in Barry they might be.”
“We are going to have to check every inn,” Nathan said, pulling his horse up next to James’s. He was scanning the town in front of them as if he might just see their quarry.
It had been a long, hard ride to Barry. They had left London a day and a half ago, barely stopping except to water their horses. And while James still felt wide awake—the fear coursing through every inch of him—he was sure that his cousin was exhausted. It made him appreciate Nathan even more.
But now they were here, and they couldn’t afford to be tired.
“Do you think they already got married?” he asked as he dug his heels into the flanks of his horse and urged her forward. “Do you think it’s too late?”
This was the question that had haunted him throughout the journey. On horseback, he could travel faster than Violet and Crampton, who were presumably in a carriage, but they still had half a day’s headstart on him. If his calculations were correct, she and Crampton had arrived in Barry a few hours earlier. It was possible that she and Redfield had already gotten married.
“We can only hope and pray that they are not,” Nathan said as calmly and as patiently as it was possible in such a dire situation.
“Let’s get started,” James urged. “We have no time to waste.”
“And you’re sure you understand everything I’m asking of you?” Violet asked, looking into the eyes of the maid her father had found to help her with her hair and dress for the wedding.
The girl, whose name was Hannah, couldn’t be more than fifteen and had been surprisingly good at twisting Violet’s freshly washed hair into an acceptable coiffure and ironing her dress. Even more importantly, she listened calmly and deliberately as Violet explained the situation and what she needed.
“I understand, Milady,” Hannah said, her eyes narrowed and her jaw tight with determination. “You want me to find out ifa gentleman has arrived from London, a duke by the name of Attorton.”
“Yes. And you are to tell him where I am and that he should come at once. He will understand.” Violet paused for a moment. “Do you think that will be possible?”
“I think so,” Hannah nodded. “Barry is small, and new arrivals always spark gossip and questions. Your arrival was noted as soon as you rode into town.”
“And Lord Redfield? Was his arrival noted?”
“Who?” Hannah looked confused. “Oh, the man who arrived two days before you? He presented himself as Mr. Crane, but yes, his arrival was noted.”
“I just don’t have much time,” Violet sighed. “You must find the Duke in the next hour. It is of the utmost importance.”
“There’s a posting inn a quarter of a mile down the road,” Hannah said. “More likely than not, that’s where he’ll go first, to let his horse rest and get directions to the inns and churches in town. I can go there first and leave word that anyone who sees him is to tell him to come here.”
“Thank you,” Violet whispered, tears springing to her eyes. “Thank you for helping me. Here…” She reached into her reticule and pulled out a pound note. “Please, take this, for your trouble.”
“Oh, no, Milady,” Hannah insisted, her eyes going wide. “I couldn’t accept that.”
“But you are helping me!”
Hannah shook her head. “Not for payment, Milady. My sister married a cruel man a few years ago. She didn’t want to marry him, but he owns a shop, and he was a good match. My mama encouraged her, but it has been an unhappy marriage. I’d do anything to save another woman from that fate.” She looked sad for a moment. “Truthfully, I thought rich ladies didn’t have to marry bad men. I thought you had more choice.”
“Sometimes, but not always,” Violet said sadly.
She thought of her mother. She thought of herself. It was enough to make her want to scream, but right now, she had tofocus.
She took Hannah’s hands in hers. “Go now, Hannah, and please hurry. My life is in your hands.”
“Yes, Milady,” the girl whispered. She curtsied and then scurried out of the room.
Violet felt only a deep hollowness. Time was running out, and she knew, in her heart of hearts, that it was too late.
James pulled his horse up in front of the posting inn. At once, the door opened, and a groomsman came out, wiping his hands, clearly having just finished supper.
“This horse needs rest and water,” James said as he dismounted. Behind him, Nathan was also dismounting. “And I need the name of the seediest inn in Barry.”
The groomsman stared at him, a little affronted. “The seediest inn. This is a reputable town, My Lord.”
