Ruth’s brow knitted in concentration. “When he opened the door, he pointed the pistol at Octavia and called her by name. How would he know who she was?”
“I don’t know, but I am going to find out,” Harred said, dropping his hands to his sides. “Did you tell anyone else about what happened?”
She shook her head. “No, I came here straightaway. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Good, I will handle telling Octavia’s family,” Harred said. “I do not want you to leave this townhouse for any reason for the time being.”
Tears flooded Ruth’s eyes. “I am sorry that I couldn’t stop Octavia from being abducted. What will become of her?” she asked with a sob.
“Go have a cup of tea and try to remain calm,” Harred encouraged. “Panicking will not help the situation.”
“Are you going to send for the constable?”
“Not yet,” Harred replied. “I know someone who can help me far better than a constable. He will help me get Octavia back.”
Ruth reached out and touched his sleeve. “Please be careful,” she said. “The man that abducted Octavia had a devilish glint in his eyes.”
He was touched by her concern, but he would move heaven and earth to get Octavia back. “Do not concern yourself with me. I will be fine.”
The main door opened and William stepped into the entry hall. His eyes narrowed when he saw Ruth’s hand was on Harred’s sleeve.
“What is the meaning of this?” William demanded.
Ruth quickly withdrew her hand and stepped back. “My apologies,” she said, lowering her gaze. “I shouldn’t have been so familiar.”
William puffed out his chest as he glared at Harred. “Is this why you have been so concerned with my wife’s welfare? You wish to have a go with her?”
Harred wasn’t going to dignify his brother’s question with a response, but he did have a few questions for him. “Where have you been?”
“Out,” William answered. “Are you not going to answer my question?”
“Define ‘out,’” Harred replied.
William huffed. “I don’t answer to you, Brother. Or did you forget that?”
Harred was tired of William’s pompous attitude and he was done playing nice. He advanced towards William and grabbed the lapels of his brother’s jacket before shoving his back against the wall.
“Do you know where Octavia is?” Harred demanded, leaning into him.
William stared at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. “Why would I know such a thing?” he asked.
“Then where were you, and I want the truth,” Harred said.
With a reluctant glance at Ruth, William replied, “You know where I was.”
Heaven help him, Harred believed his brother, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t still responsible for Octavia’s abduction. It just meant that he hadn’t abducted her himself.
“If I find out that you had anything to do with Octavia’s abduction, I will ensure you spend the remainder of your days in Newgate,” Harred stated in a firm voice.
William’s mouth dropped. “Octavia was abducted?” he asked. “And you think I had something to do with it?”
“I don’t know what to think right now, but I am not ruling out anyone, including you,” Harred said.
“I know we don’t always get along, but you have to believe me. I am telling the truth. I would never hurt a woman,” William stated.
Harred glared at his brother. He truly hoped his brother was telling the truth, but the man had lied to him before. “We shall see,” he said before he released his brother and promptly departed from his townhouse. He now had the unfortunate task of informing Fredrick that his sister had been abducted.
He started walking down the pavement towards Fredrick’s townhouse but it quickly turned into a run. He saw the curious looks that were being cast his way from people that he passed on the pavement and he gave them little heed. Whocared what they thought of him? He was far more concerned about Octavia at the moment.
