Murry knew what sort of man the duke was.Adrian had confided his countless altercations with him.
Wrengate shoved the innkeeper aside, and the man staggered, sputtering and coughing while trying to gulp down air.
Adrian jerked his head in the door’s direction.“Go on.”
“Croft.”Wrengate’s growl was a dangerous protest.
Adrian stayed his ground, arms crossed as the innkeeper fled, leaving Adrian alone with one hell of a furious duke.“Your sister isn’t here, and the people who are had nothing to do with my valet’s decision to abscond with her.”
“You don’t know that.They might have helped.”
“No.Murry would have handled this alone for two reasons.First, so no one else could be held responsible by you, and second, to ensure no one else had a chance of learning where he and your sister were headed.”
Wrengate’s gaze narrowed on Adrian.“What about you?”
A shiver slid down Adrian’s spine.He ignored it.“What about me?”
“You know the man, and I know you, Croft.It stands to reason you’ve some idea of where they might have gone.”
He didn’t, but even if he did, he wouldn’t share that information with someone who was capable of murder.The duke had killed Wycliff for double-crossing him.It made sense he’d act similarly toward a man who’d run off with his sister.
“Deerhaven Manor would be a likely option,” he said, knowing Murry would steer clear of any location where Adrian might come looking for him.“There’s a hunting cabin located on the premises.It would provide the pair with the necessary means to survive until they decided on a more permanent solution.”
Wrengate’s mouth remained a tight line.“Then that’s where we’ll go.”
“You may do so if you wish,” Adrian told him.“In case you’ve forgotten, I’ve a wife and a newborn daughter to tend to.”
“Are either of them in imminent danger?”
Adrian sent him a dangerous look.“No.”
“Then I would recommend you make my sister your first priority.”The duke advanced on Adrian, his eyes gleaming like frost on a slab of stone.“If she is not returned to me in good health, I’ll hold you personally responsible now.”
Adrian didn’t so much as flinch.He’d faced harsher men in the past than the Duke of Wrengate.Hell, Finn O’Leary was cut from more dangerous cloth.Nevertheless, he wasn’t fool enough to underestimate the lengths to which Wrengate might go as long as he feared for Lady Edwina.
“While my wife and daughter may not be in imminent danger, Duke, the Irishman you helped me track down in March still poses a threat.He’s not been seen or heard from since.My guess is he’s re-grouping somewhere while biding his time.So if you think I intend to accompany you to Deerhaven and leave my family unprotected, you’re wrong.”
“Croft.”Wrengate’s voice was pure menace.
“I’ve other men who can go with you,” Adrian said with an added touch of firmness.“That’s the best I can offer.”
The duke glared at him, and Adrian held that brutal gaze without budging.A huff of air informed him they’d made an agreement, though Wrengate clearly wasn’t happy about the outcome.
Swinging away from him, Adrian walked to the door and exited the room.There were travel arrangements to make now.Wrengate would want to depart as soon as possible, and since Adrian didn’t believe he’d find Murry there, a solution would also be needed for when the furious duke returned.
* * *
Finn O’Leary stepped down from the unmarked carriage his aunt had provided and onto the cobblestoned street.The evening air was still and cool, accentuating the rattling of wheels from vehicles moving past, the conversations between pedestrians, and the cries from any remaining street vendors.
After slinging his satchel over one shoulder, Finn lit a cheroot and started walking.According to the latest missive he’d received from his cousin, Sean, new accommodations had been rented, a crew of ten capable men assembled.Finn looked forward to taking their measure and having them prove their worth.
But first…
Finn crossed the next street and turned onto Fleet Street.The Old Bell would provide a decent meal and the means by which to pass the next couple of hours.
For his purpose, darkness would serve best, along with empty streets.So he had to wait, no matter how eager he was to make his next move.
Never rush ahead.Always wait for the right moment.
