Page 160 of Courting the Wrong Duke

“We believe so. He never left us, Nelly. The letter was forged.”

She explained as quickly as she could: the second letter William had discovered, the prisoner being held at Bryn Hir, and Isabella’s certainty that both letters had been written by the same person.

By the time Rosalind finished, Nelly was already out of bed.

“And you mean to go after him.”

“I have to.”

“Of course you do.” Nelly crossed immediately to the wardrobe. “How long?”

“Nearly two days if we ride hard.”

That earned Rosalind a look, but Nelly wasted no time arguing. She began gathering only what Rosalind could carry easily: a clean chemise, stockings, a comb, and a few other necessities packed tightly into a small traveling bag.

“Lord William is going with you?” she asked.

“He knows Bryn Hir and the road there. Mr. Frost is coming as well. They are preparing the horses now.”

Nelly paused long enough to glance toward the door. “And your mother knows none of this.”

“No.”

“She is going to have a fit.”

“I know.”

“A proper one.”

Despite everything, Rosalind smiled faintly. “I know.”

Nelly sighed and tucked the last of the clothing into the bag. “What would you like me to tell her?”

The question wiped away Rosalind’s smile.

She had tried not to imagine the morning. Her mother waking, asking for her, discovering that her daughter had ridden away in the darkness toward Wales and whatever danger waited there.

“Tell her we found Papa,” Rosalind said. “Tell her he did not leave us. There was no other woman, and none of what we feared was true. Someone took him, and I know where he is.”

Nelly’s expression softened.

“And tell her I am sorry for leaving without saying goodbye, but I could not ask her permission when I already knew I had to go.”

“My lady…”

“She will be frightened. I know that. But I need her to trust me.” Rosalind took Nelly’s hands in hers. “Tell her I am stronger than she thinks. Papa needs me, and I cannot remain safely at home simply because the alternative frightens her.”

Nelly squeezed her fingers. “I’ll tell her.”

“Tell her I am not alone either. I know where I am going, and I am traveling with people I trust.”

The words settled differently than Rosalind expected.

People I trust.

Only hours ago, she had looked William in the eye and told him she could not trust him.

Now she knew that had never been entirely true.