Head pounding, Jacques struggled to focus on the voices in the room.
“Wake up, Jacques.” Preston’s order cut through the din.
Jacques blinked. Several candles lit the room along with a blazing fire in the hearth. Preston’s study at the Middleton town house came into focus. How had he gotten there?
The dinner party.
Diana looking stunning in a blue gown.
The carriage ride to Everton House.
Victor Caron!
“Diana!” Jacques sat up. “Where is Diana?” If a spike had shot through his skull, he’d not have been surprised. The pain nearly sent him to the floor.
Preston put a hand on his shoulder and firmly kept him seated and steady. “Good. You remember. Don’t get up too fast. We’re already looking for them.”
Michael stepped out of the shadows. “Do you remember anything that might help?”
Rubbing the back of his head, Jacques irritated a rather large knot covered by a bloody mat of hair. “Only that Victor Caron pointed a pistol into the carriage. I think he rode in an all-black Clarence.” He pushed his aching mind to remember more. “There were no markings. I saw one other man, and someone must have hit me from behind, so he had at least two with him.”
With a nod, Michael left the room and spoke to someone in the hallway.
A maid ran in. “We packed some snow. It won’t last long, but should help with that bump on your head, sir.” She handed him a damp towel.
He eased it onto the back of his head. “Thank you.”
Preston sat next to him and raked his fingers through his hair.
“Did the footmen from Everton’s survive?”
“Yes. It was lucky no one was killed. One is shot, but he will live. The rest were knocked unconscious in a similar fashion to you. Victor knows a bloodbath in the streets of London would attract too much attention. He was smart to keep the damage to a minimum. He probably thinks we’ll not care about the fate of one untitled woman. They took Lady Chervil, though. That puzzles me. It would have been wiser to leave her behind. Certainly, he knows we’ll search for her.”
“Perhaps she refused to be left behind. She can be persuasive and is very fond of Diana.” Jacques was still struggling to focus his mind. “What about Bertram? He’s the large footman who guards Diana daily.”
“He woke first and stumbled after the carriage for about a block before he lost them. He ran back here, badly beaten and his head bleeding. Michael was just climbing in his carriage. He’s called the Horsemen. Alexander is in town and came immediately. Sebastian is a day’s ride and we’ve sent a messenger to fetch him. Oliver and Nathaniel are at the castle, and while we’ve sent a note, they will not likely be here before this has concluded.”
Not even when his own life balanced on the edge of a guillotine had Jacques experienced the wave of pure rage that filled him at the thought of Diana left in the hands of a monster. He’d failed her. “If he so much as scratches her, I will tear him to pieces with my bare hands.”
“I know.” Preston patted his back then stood. “Rest a while. I doubt they will pick up a trail until daylight. I called Thomas Wheel, as he has a knack for such things, and Michael and he are close friends. He is trying to pick up a trail or find someone who knows Caron’s movements in England. Prepare yourself. I’m going to let Millie in before she breaks down the door.”
As soon as Preston opened the door, Millicent ran in and threw herself into Jacques’s arms. “I was so worried. When they brought you back and you were unconscious, I thought the worst. Poor Diana and Honoria. I can’t imagine the horror of being dragged off in the night.”
His snow-filled towel was just a wet mess with a bloodstain from his head wound. He dropped it on the tea tray he’d just noticed on the table and hugged Millicent. “I’m fine, Millie. Just a bump on the head, and you know how hard my head is.”
Pulling back to look him in the eye, she studied him. “You know your name and mine, that’s a good sign. We’ve had a steady flow of people coming through, but Bertram hasn’t returned. He blames himself.”
“He’s a good man. I do not know how they managed to surprise him, but I doubt he could have done anything to change the outcome.” Jacques put weight on his feet and leaned forward before slowly standing. The room wobbled for a moment, but then he was fine. He took a breath and walked to the window. He had failed her when he said he would keep her safe. A knot formed in his chest and tightened painfully.
Millicent said, “Diana is a clever girl. She will find a way to help herself, and with Honoria one never knows what antics will take place.”
Turning, he faced the pretty blonde his best friend had married. Still in her red gown from dinner, she was a vision marred only by the worry etched around her eyes and mouth. “How well do you know Lady Chervil?”
“Very well. She lived at Everton House much of the time I was employed there.” Millicent took a step back and narrowed her gaze.
“I like her, but she strikes me as frivolous. Is she likely to get Diana killed with her whimsy?”
A slow smile pulled at Millicent’s lips. “You should not worry about that, Jacques. She may appear as if she hasn’t a care in the world, but she is a smart, clever and very resourceful woman. She is also quite well off. If I were in trouble, Honoria Chervil would be a fine asset to have on my side.”
Jacques sent up a prayer that she was right. Diana would need all the help she could get. If Victor had a boat waiting in the harbor, Jacques might never see Diana again. It wouldn’t do. He would strip his homeland bare, but he would find her.
* * * *
An hour later, Jacques was desperate to get out of the house and look for Diana. His headache was a reminder that he was alive, and she might be in the hold of some boat waiting for an opportunity to leave England forever.
Alexander Lynds, the man at the head of the Buckrose Horsemen, arrived in an elegant black coat and well-shined shoes. He hardly looked like the rough-and-ready pirate who’d helped Jacques escape the Bastille. “It’s good to see you, Laurent. I heard you’ve had a difficult night.”
In other circumstances, he would have been happy to see Alex. He shook his hand. “Lynds. I appreciate you cutting your evening short to help. Miss MacLeod and Lady Chervil are in grave danger. I fear they may already be beyond our borders.”
Alex gave the butler his hat and overcoat, then sat on a large chair near the window in Preston’s library. “At least I can give you some relief with regard to that. No one matching the description of Victor Caron or either lady has left London by road, and no ships have been permitted out of port since I was contacted. It is extremely unlikely Caron could have made it out before then. I assume the timeline you gave me is accurate, Your Grace?”
Michael nodded. “As accurate as is possible, within twenty minutes.”
“Then I am confident they have not left the country. We will find them.” Alex leaned forward. “I’m somewhat concerned about the circumstances of this incident. Can you tell me what happened?”
“What do you mean, you are concerned?” Jacques’s defensive instincts kicked in.
“How were you ambushed?” Voice steady, Alex never took his gaze away from Jacques.
Part of Jacques wanted to rage against the obvious implication that things might not be as they seemed, but he needed Alex’s help. “We left here around ten o’clock. It was prearranged to take my carriage back to Everton House where the ladies and footmen live.”
“Why did the ladies require your carriage?” Alex brushed a bit of lint from his coat and leaned back in his chair.
“The Everton Domestic Society carriage was needed elsewhere.”
Alex pushed his blond hair back from his eyes. “Who asked for your help?”
“Miss MacLeod sent a note a few days ago.” This was not going well.
“So, Miss MacLeod asked for you to transport her home and the carriage was attacked.” Alex pulled out a notebook. He took a quill from the desk, dipped it in ink and jotted a note.
Jacques stood. “She did not arrange this. She is a prisoner and in danger. You are wrong about her.”
With a long sigh, Alex put the notebook away. “I understand your affection for this lady, and you may well be correct. Perhaps she is an innocent who has been taken advantage of. Certainly, her parents’ absence from her life and her claim that they were murdered counts in her favor. I know you believe her innocent, and Michael, I mean His Grace, also thinks she’s a good woman. However, I must look at this from every side.”
Fury raced through Jacques. It was insane that anyone could believe anything but good could come from Diana. He stood in front of Alex. “I will vouch for her. Get her back and you can see for yourself that she is all things good. Her story is painful to listen to. I have known my fair share of liars. Get her back and let her prove her innocence.”
Gaze steady, Alex nodded. “I will find her if it is possible. Hopefully the lady wishes to be found. If she does, she will assist in her own rescue. In the meantime, we will watch all the roads out of town. I have stopped all ships and small boats from leaving English waters. I can’t enforce that for more than twenty-four hours, so we have until tomorrow evening to find her.”
It was a struggle to be grateful, but Jacques said, “Thank you. She will prove herself worthy of the Horsemen’s attention.”
Alex nodded. “I think we should speak to her employer and Middleton’s wife’s uncle. Perhaps we can at least get some clues about what she had planned.”
“All she was planning was to stay alive and clear her name.” Jacques was going to have to get his temper under control before he made a fool of himself.
Michael stood. “It’s late and you’ve had a difficult night, Jacques. We all want to believe Diana is innocent. All Alex is doing is making sure we haven’t missed anything. You know as well as we do that some people are excellent at hiding the truth.”
“Not Diana.”
Standing, Alex nodded. “Then there is no harm in making a few inquiries.”
Unable to argue with the logic, Jacques nodded.
“Good,” Preston said. “I suggest we visit Everton House and my wife’s uncle in the morning. I’ve sent out my own footmen to see if Bertram and the other footmen from Everton House have come up with any leads. I also sent word to Lord Rupert Everton informing him of the situation. He and Lady Jane feel responsible for the safety of their employees. I’m sure they will wish to help in any way possible.”
Alex walked to the door. “I will return at first light. I know it’s not fashionable, but the more time we lose, the less chance we have of finding them.”
It was the first thing Alex had said that Jacques agreed with. “I doubt I will sleep tonight. I’ll be ready when you arrive.”
* * * *
Francis was still in his nightclothes when they arrived. He rubbed his eyes. And called for coffee. Jacques said, “I am sorry to wake you, Francis. It is rather urgent.”
“Is it Diana? Is she hurt?”
“What makes you ask that?” Alex asked.
Blinking, Francis looked from Jacques to Alex to Preston and Michael. “I suppose I asked because all of you have come here, in a state, at such an hour, and Diana isn’t with you. What else am I to think, knowing who she is and the danger she’s in?”
Preston took the coffee tray from Doris. “Thank you, Mrs. Whimple. I’ll take it in. You might call on my wife today. She’s had a trying night and could use her friend.”
Opening and closing her mouth several times, Doris wrung her hands. It appeared she had several questions, none of which she asked. “I’ll get my cloak and go straightaway.”
“Thank you.” Preston nudged the door closed and brought the tray to the table. “Francis, we just have a few questions, then we’ll leave you in peace.”
He stopped his pacing and huffed. “First you’ll tell me what has happened to Diana. And Jacques, why do you look a bit green?”
Head pounding like someone was wielding a pickax, Jacques wasn’t surprised he looked as terrible as he felt. He sat on one of the dark-red overstuffed chairs where he and Francis often talked of new ideas. “Francis, sit. Please.”
With another huff, Francis complied. “What’s happened?”
Unable to meet Francis’s gaze, Jacques stared down at the red-and-gold rug. “She was nabbed out of my carriage by French spies. I tried to protect her but failed.”
Patting Jacques’s arm, Francis said, “I’m certain it was not your fault. You would do anything to protect that girl.”
Preston stepped behind Jacques’s chair and rested a hand on his shoulder. “It was not his fault. They were jumped. Jacques and all the Everton footmen were knocked out.”
Alex cleared his throat. “What kind of experiments was Miss MacLeod helping you with?”
Taking his coffee from the tray, Francis shook his head. “Not what you’re thinking, Lynds.”
“Humor me, sir.”
Francis sipped his coffee. “We’d been testing a new fire extinguisher and the new mining lamp. We had also made great strides with using kitchen trash as fertilizer.”
Raising an eyebrow, Alex looked at Michael who nodded. “Nothing involving rockets?”
“No.” Francis put down his cup with a loud clank.
“Did Miss MacLeod ever discuss rockets or their workings with you?” With his voice unnaturally even, he might have been speaking of the weather.
Jacques wanted to rage, but it would make a bad situation worse. He would play this the Horseman’s way, because they needed their help if Diana was ever going to be safe.
Narrowing his eyes, Francis leaned forward. “Diana has no interest in rockets. Her knowledge of them is all due to her father’s knowledge. I might add that that information was offered to the English but was thought too dangerous. I suspect there is a spy inside the government who leaked that rocket research to the French, and that is why my friends were murdered and their daughter is now in danger of meeting the same fate. Now, you get your haughty ass out of my house and find that girl before they take her to France. She was clever enough to escape once, but they’ll not let her get away again. Do I make myself clear?”
It would have been inappropriate to cheer, but Lord, how Jacques wanted to hurrah for what Francis said.
Preston chuckled behind his hand. He was a duke and could get away with almost anything. “Time to be on our way, gentlemen. My uncle has been generous with his time and knowledge.”
Rising, Alex looked as if he might say more, but thought better of it. “Thank you for receiving us at such an early hour. I will set to work to bring Miss MacLeod back safely.”
Francis stood with his hands on his hips. In his long white nightshirt and brown robe, he looked comical, but his expression was fierce. “See that you do.”
Outside, Preston said, “I assume we will be given a similar dressing down at Everton House. Shall we go?”
Of course, a note had been sent the night before to Lord and Lady Everton. Jacques had sent one of his own as soon as he could see clearly enough to write. When the ladies didn’t arrive home, the Everton Domestic Society would have gone on full alert. As it turned out, they had done so anyway.
Gray, the butler, admitted them without asking their business. “The lord and lady are in the office. I’m certain they will wish you gentlemen to join them.”
Three footmen rushed through the foyer. To the left of the front door, the dining room was bustling with Everton ladies. One brunette rolled bandages while another worked with a maid putting together bundles of food.
In the office, Lady Jane Everton handed Bertram a note. “Are you sure you are well enough to continue? You should probably rest.”
“They were taken on my watch, my lady. If it’s all right with you, I’ll be seeing this through.” Bertram waited for a nod from his employer before turning. His gaze met Jacques’s. “You all right, sir?”
“Other than a pounding head, I am fine. What about you?” Bertram’s size might have caused their assailants to hit him harder. Jacques had been lucky to get away with just a small cut and a knot on his head.
“Just a bit bruised up. More angry than hurt, to be honest.” With a nod, Bertram stomped out the door.
Rupert Everton sat behind the desk where his wife usually presided. He didn’t look up from the letter he penned. “Come in, gentlemen. I’m nearly done here.”
Michael stood in the back of the room with a clear view of the door while Preston strode in and bowed. The only bit of femininity in the room was fresh flowers, which were unusual in winter. The dark wood and heavy brocades were distinctly masculine in a house filled mostly with women. The bookcase Michael leaned on was filled with tomes of ancient titles of history, religion, philosophy and only a few novels.
Lady Jane made a curtsy. “Please sit down. We’ve been working since we received your note. Our own footmen are ready to assist, and his lordship has written a few friends for their assistance as well. Bow Street has been very kind and will send a dozen men.”
Not even stoic Alex could hide his surprise. “I had no idea your organization was so well connected, my lady.”
She sat in the chair beside the desk so that the men would sit. “You would be shocked at how many friends the society has. We have helped many families over the years, and often stay in contact with them long after our ladies’ assignments are over.”
Lord Rupert folded his letter and handed it to Gray, who hovered nearby. Once the butler plodded out the door and closed it, Rupert said, “Now, what has been done to recover our ladies?”
Leaning forward, Alex entwined his fingers and rested his elbows on his knees. “I have a small force of well-trained men who are searching for any signs of them. I have most of my resources making certain they have not left London, and I feel sure they have not. Michael contacted his friend Thomas Wheel to see what he can find out. The problem is, no matter how many men we gather, finding two women hidden in all of London is nearly impossible. We need to narrow down our search.”
The knot in Jacques’s stomach tightened. Alex was right. It was like finding a needle in a haystack, but if they had to pull every stalk of hay one at a time, he would spend his life doing so. “I think it unlikely they would be in any of the finer areas of London. The gentry are far too nosy about their neighbors’ comings and goings. It would be far smarter to hide out in a poor area where people tend to mind their own business.”
“Jacques is right,” Preston said.
Alex stood. “I agree, but even then, there are too many buildings to search. They could be in a hotel, a hovel or the hull of a ship. I can keep the ships in port for a few more hours, but captains get rather uppity if you demand to search their ships.”
The door opened and Thomas Wheel entered. His dark red hair was windblown, and he wore trousers and a worn jacket. He looked more like a common miller or cobbler than the wealthy gentleman he was. “I’m sorry to barge in uninvited. Please forgive me, Lady Everton.”
A rare smile lit Jane’s face. “You are most welcome, Mr. Wheel. I had the pleasure of hearing your wife play pianoforte last spring and was mesmerized. She is a wonder.”
“Yes, she is.” He grinned. “Forgive the abrupt change of topic, but I have some news.”
Michael pushed away from the bookcase. “What is it, Tom? Did you find them?”
“I’ve been all over town and into some old haunts I would have preferred never to frequent again. However, I didn’t find them.”
It was unbearable waiting for information. Despite his throbbing head, Jacques was about to tear London to bits. “Why did you come all this way, then?”
Thomas nodded. “I found a trail of information about the carriage and even a few sightings of Caron, though probably too late in the night to be related to the kidnapping. I tracked them to the port. They must be somewhere near or at the docks. I found a woman who heard feminine voices around eleven.”
Finally, something to go on. Jacques would only have to tear the port of London to pieces.
Preston put a hand on his shoulder. “Not yet, my friend. If you storm in, you could get the ladies harmed or worse.”
“I can’t sit around and do nothing.”
With a nod, Alex stood. “How many men have you gathered, Lord Rupert?”
“Twenty, with the Bow Street men, and I’ve just sent a note to another friend to see if he might spare a few more. The Everton footmen are all well trained and have military backgrounds as batmen or the like. They might not be gentlemen, but they’re good men.” Rupert rounded the desk and opened the door. Bertram and seven other footmen stood waiting in the hallway.
Alex said, “We will watch all roads out of the port. Also, we must make sure they are not already on a ship. Can the Everton footmen handle searching the boats and ships in port?”
Eyes bright and fists clenched, Bertram nodded. “We will make sure they’re not aboard anything on the water, if you take care they’re not carried out of London.”
“What if the captains refuse to be searched?” Jane asked.
Bertram smiled. “Not to worry, my lady. I have a few friends in the Royal Navy who will help.”
“Very good.” Alex paced. “They will have to come out of hiding eventually. If they’re not already on a ship, we’ll find them and get the ladies back.”
“If they are on a ship, I’ll find them,” Bertram said.
Rupert said, “Don’t do anything foolish. If you think you’ve found them, send for help.”
“Yes, my lord.” Bertram bowed and left the room. A moment later he called orders from the foyer.
“I will send word to all of you as soon as I know something.” Alex pulled on his overcoat.
Jacques grew tired of sitting and waiting. “I will take up a position at the south end of the port. I am not waiting around for word from you or anyone.”
“I’ll take the block to the north of Jacques,” Preston said.
“It’s been a while since we had an assignment, Tom. Shall we take a block as well?” Michael asked, but it was more stating than asking.
“Of course.”
Alex shook his head. “You are the oddest group of gentlemen I’ve ever met.” He sighed. “Fine, you can each take a block. I’ll check in every few hours. I have runners who will carry messages if you see anything.”
There was no arguing that they were not the average overstuffed gentlemen. Without waiting for the others, Jacques and Preston said goodbye to Lord and Lady Everton and left the house. In the carriage, Jacques allowed the fear of losing Diana to invade his mind. “I do not know what I will do if anything has happened to her.”
“I know.”
“It was foolish to lure her out of the safety of Everton House. Foolish and selfish. I wanted to see her, and now she is gone.” He rubbed the tender bump on the back of his head and winced.
Preston whistled through his teeth. “That is a lot of blame to put upon yourself, Jacques. You wanted to see the woman who you are clearly in love with. It’s not a crime.”
Heart pounding, Jacques swallowed his denial. “I have no right to her. It is foolish to want her so desperately. Besides, I swore off love after Monique.”
“You may have sworn off, but love has a way of weaving its way back inside you when you meet the right person. Diana is smart and interesting. She will keep you alive. I can’t imagine a better match for you.”
Jacques watched Preston for any sign he was saying these things to somehow distract from the fact that Diana was missing. He found no signs of deception. “I thought you didn’t like the idea of a lady with a past.”
“I have given it some thought, and this particular lady is worth a bit of intrigue.” Preston smiled. “We’ll find her.”
The sun peeked through the clouds for the first time in days. Snow covered London in a white blanket, cleaning the filth of the city for a short time. Soon the bustle of daily life would darken the pristine mounds, but for the moment, it gleamed in the morning light. Jacques watched the city go by as they rode toward the port. “I will never forgive myself if they have taken her to France.”
“You’re not considering going back.” Panic rang in Preston’s voice.
“If she is there, I will have no choice.”
Preston sat forward and grabbed Jacques’s shoulders. “You can’t go back to France. You’ll be killed on sight or imprisoned and taken to the guillotine. Do you know what I went through to get you out last time?”
He did know. It had taken all Preston’s influence to arrange an escape with the Buckrose Horsemen. Still, he would go if Diana was there. “I can never make up the debt I owe you for saving my life, but I cannot live knowing I left her to my fate or worse. We cannot imagine the horrors they have in store for my Diana if they get her back to France.”
“There is no debt, Jacques. You would do the same to save me. I have no doubt of that. But returning to France now is a death sentence, and I won’t be able to help.”
“Then we had better hope Victor Caron fails in his assignment.”