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“You are out there. Sir Edward has always implied that he has an aversion to being forced into doing things he does not like, and finds another way.”
“Well, it queers me to understand whot ye mean by that. He don’t have a choice. He hands over the ready or we kill ye. Simple. And Farley will kill ye if for no other reason than to exact his revenge.”
“Then I suppose I am in trouble. Sir Edward has no obligation to pay for my release, and he is the sort to hunt you if you were so unwise as to kill me. He will hunt you, torture you and then after days and days he will kill you. That is the sort of man you are dealing with now.” Star told him. She wasn’t sure if this was true. She rather thought it was, but she meant to unnerve him with this statement.
He pulled a face at her and said, “Oi’m not listening to any more of this. Going outside for some air, Oi am. Don’t ye be trying nuthin.”
“How could I try anything all trussed up like this, sir?” Star asked sweetly. She heard him go outdoors. A picture of Sir Edward reading the ransom note flashed in her mind. What would he think? What would he do? Would he try and find her?
She was free of her ropes, yes, but how could she get past Ally and make her way to the shed for a horse? What had they done with her gig and her horses? No doubt left them loose on the road to prove the truth to her abduction. Once again a picture of Edward formed in her mind and her heart told her, he is coming, never doubt it, he is coming!
* * *
Dilly’s eyes were wide open with fright as she answered Sir Edward’s sharp questions when all at once Jeffries burst through the front door and into the central hall where they were standing and shouted, “The gig…the horses…they just came up the drive they did without Miss Berkley…Miss Star…is missing.”
Jules turned to him and quietly explained that they were in fact, now searching for her, but that it would have to be done quietly as she had been taken for ransom.
This set Jeffries to groaning and Sir Edward put a comforting hand on the man’s distressed shoulder as he could see he was overcome.
He turned back to Dilly who had gasped and burst into tears. “Dilly, this will not help. Do calm yourself. You were saying she was on her way to Miss Madison to take her up and go to Hastings to meet her brother and Miles Denning? You are certain of this?”
“Yes, yes…it was early morning…”
“Right,” he turned to Jules.
“There is no mention of Georgie in the letter,” Jules said and then without waiting for a response added, “Look here…we are wasting time. We must repair to Madison at once.”
“What exact time did Miss Star leave, Dilly?” Sir Edward pursued.
“Not sure, but Oi think it was near or just after nine this morning,” Dilly said and sniffed loudly.
“Do you remember what your mistress was wearing,” Sir Edward wanted all the facts.
“Ay, that Oi do. She had on a pretty little straw bonnet with a blue ribbon. She didn’t wear her spencer but she took it along and a short waisted blue muslin gown.”
With this piece of information, Sir Edward spun on his heels and hurried outside, Jules right behind him. They had left their horses tethered at the hitching post and it didn’t take them long to mount and start off.
“Devil is in it, Ed! What next do we do? I don’t understand any of this. You said you frightened the devil, Farley off the other night.”
“I know, damn it! I should have put a bullet in his head, but was trying to avoid any scandal that might attach itself to his lordship and Star. Apparently, he means to take his ounce of revenge and get some bounty for it.”
“Revenge? But you let him live?” Jules was astounded.
“Aye, but I interfered with him. I threatened him. Hell…I should have killed him.” Suddenly he stopped his horse, “Devil a bit!”
“What? What?” Jules caught his friends’ reins and then put a hand to his heart. “Getting too old for this….”
Sir Edward went to the edge of the road where he found a soiled chip bonnet and a piece of a blue muslin gown. He held them up, his face drawn in fury as he shook it. “I will have their blood, Jules!”
Jules was aghast as he realized the meaning of this. “My God, she put up a fight, Edward…she put up a fight. Certes! Until this moment, none of this seemed…real.”
“Aye, ‘tis real, and my sweet Star didn’t go quietly, that is for certain and has no doubt suffered the consequences of her bravery,” Edward answered grimly.
Edward lost no time in pocketing the torn material and tying the hat to his saddle before remounting. “We must immediately visit Georgie,” he announced.
“Edward…what if the scoundrel has them both?” Jules suddenly went white.
“I don’t think so, Jules. The abduction took place here…or near here before Star arrived at Madison.” Edward shook his head. “It was only Star he was after. Mark me, he will realize his error of judgment right before I put out his eyes for going near my Star.”
