“I shall take care of it,” Elizabeth said, using a hard tone. “Pray God that no one finds out about your involvement. We would never survive the scandal.” She embraced her cousin, brushing back one of Lavvie’s curls. As much trouble as she had caused, she was still Elizabeth’s closest friend. “I shall tell you how it goes.”
For a moment her cousin clung to her. “I am leaving Town today.”
Elizabeth nodded. “That is probably for the best. I shall miss you.”
“And I you. It will probably be a while before I can write.”
“I must go.” She gave her cousin a quick kiss, leaving Lavvie to compose herself.
* * *
Tom, followed by his footman, Willy, who appeared much the worse for wear, dashed up the steps as Dom was about to descend them.
“My lord,” Tom gasped. “Someone’s ’ducted Dotty.”
For a moment everything seemed to move more slowly than normal, and Dom’s heart stopped beating.No!It was impossible. Nothing could happen to her. He addressed the footman, “Where is Miss Stern?”
“It’s like Master Tom said, my lord. She’s been taken. Two big blackguards came at me. One held me in a lock and the other grabbed her. Master Tom hid behind the trees, but he drew a picture of the man in the coach.”
Tom shoved the tablet up to Dom. “That’s the gentleman that drove off with her.”
He couldn’t believe this was happening. It was all wrong. Images of Thea being taken to a brothel or to the docks assailed his mind. If she was harmed, it would be his fault. He should have never walked away from her this morning.
Tom shoved the drawing under Dom’s nose, and his mind skittered to a halt. Fotherby? Why the devil would he take Thea? He didn’t like her, but this was beyond the pale. Kidnapping an innocent, well not so innocent any longer, but bloody hell, the blackguard had abducted Dom’s bride. Maybe Lady Fotherby was right. Her son was a loose fish. All he knew was that when he got his hands on the blackguard, he was going to kill him. He growled. “Paken, get a hackney.”
Worthington entered the hall. “I’ve come to ask if Tom would like to play with my brood.”
That was the other thing that wasn’t right. “Wait just a moment. Isn’t Tom supposed tobeat your house?”
The child’s face screwed up. “I missed you, so I came home.”
“Take Tom with you.” Dom raked a hand through his hair. “We’ll sort this out later. I have to go.”
Worthington lowered his brows. “What’s going on?”
Tom jumped up and down waving the drawing. “Fotherby ’ducted Dotty and we’re going to go save her.”
Good God. Why did everyone in his house want to rush off rescuing everyone else? “Weare not going anywhere.Youare staying right here where you’re safe. Paken, where’s that hackney?”
“Merton, take a damper,” Worthington barked. “We need more information before you go tearing off after Fotherby.”
“I think I may be able to help.”
Dom turned to the door and stared at Miss Turley. She swallowed. “I saw Lord Fotherby’s coach on the Richmond Road early today.”
Dom’s fists clenched. The scoundrel. “Richmond?”
She appeared scared, but nodded. “Yes. I take it Miss Stern is not at home.”
His temper rose and was hanging by a thread. Right now he wanted to throttle someone.
Paken bowed. “No, miss. Her mother arrived yesterday, and she is not at home to visitors.”
Worthington rubbed his hand over his face. “What’s in Richmond, or is he taking her farther west?”
To think Dom had called that curst rum touch his friend. “He has a house there. We stayed overnight at it after watching a fight.”
“Do you remember the direction?”
