“It’s Priscilla.Come.Quick.”
His heart hammered in his chest as he tugged on his boots and then grabbed his cravat, attempting to tie it.
But his hands trembled.Had Eugene hurt her.He was afraid to even ask.
A wave of self-loathing rose up in his chest.Had he failed her too?He should have insisted they leave with him yesterday.He’d been attempting to get all the legal pieces in place, but had he made the wrong choice?
Ralph pushed his hands out of the way.“Let me.”
Wyatt didn’t bother to point out it was the first time Ralph had actually tied Wyatt’s cravat.“What’s happened?”
“She doesn’t say.Just that she needs you now.Without delay.”
He gave a tentative nod.That was a good sign, wasn’t it?She’d been able to write…“She wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t serious.”
“I agree.”
“I haven’t failed her, Ralph, have I?I should have taken her yesterday.I should have protected her.”
“You’re not omniscient.You were trying to stay within the law, at least on this, and make sure you could marry her the moment you took her into your custody.”
He gave a tentative nod.Knot tied, he grabbed his vest, shoving his hands through the arm holes and then reached for his coat without bothering to button the vest.He’d finish dressing in the carriage.Starting for the door, he grabbed both his short sword and a pair of pistols, Ralph doing the same.
They dashed down the steps and out to the carriage house.
As he settled into his seat, he looked at his brother.“If anything happened to Priscilla…”
Ralph gave his head a quick shake.“It’s all going to be fine.”
He drew in a sharp breath.“I’ll deal with the earl.You get the women out of the house.”
“Where are we taking them?”
“Back here for the moment, but we should contact the Duke of Durham posthaste.We might need his weight, socially speaking.I haven’t got the license yet and I’ll need help since I’m taking a charge away from her guardian.”
Ralph gave a tentative nod.“How long until you can get the license?”
Wyatt shook his head.“I’ve the appointment with the archbishop’s office tomorrow.”
“And if your request is denied?”
“Gretna Green.”
Ralph gave him a dark smile of approval.“Tell me that I get to hit Fitzsimmons at least once.Men who hurt women are scum.”
“Please do.”He said, returning the cold smile.“After I’m done with him.”
Today was his day of reckoning.
And beating the tar out of the Earl of Purlington was going to feel a lot like enacting retribution on his own father.
He’d enjoy every moment of it.
And when he swept Priscilla into his arms…
He’d have the satisfaction of knowing that he’d kept her safe.
CHAPTERTWELVE
