“That’s true,” Mary agreed, looking thoughtful.
“Perhaps he followed us the other day because he was …” Lily cast a glance at Miss Dalrymple. “… interested in Rose. Maybe he’s been watching us, trailing us, just waiting for an opportunity to take her.”
Royce shrugged. “Perhaps. Or maybe someone staying here caught a glimpse of her and decided to abduct her. I checked this morning, and none of the guests fled the inn in the middle of the night. But the intruder clearly did. There are footprints in the mud below your window, and they led out to the road.” He paused, then continued, “Whoever it was, I hope that after last night’s failure, he will have given up. Still, I think it would be a good idea to take some precautions.”
Camellia nodded. “I’ll take my pistol in the carriage.”
“I never imagined that I would say such a thing, but I think that would be a good idea. The driver usually has a gun on long trips, and I shall tell him to have the groom carry it at the ready. No doubt it will be unnecessary, but better to look foolish than to have to face Oliver and tell him I lost one of his new cousins along the way. Now, it is still some distance to Willowmere. Traveling at a comfortable pace, we would have to stop again tonight at an inn, which I am reluctant to do. Therefore, I intend to make a small detour. My own estate, Iverley Hall, is not far off the route we will take. I think the extra distance is worth it to spend the night where I know we will be secure.” He cast a look around the table and, seeing no protestations or questions, gave them a nod. “Good. Then I will leave you lovely ladies to pack your things while I talk to the coachman.”
“I like him,” Camellia announced as the door closed after Royce.
“Me too,” Lily agreed. “It must have been terribly romantic, his running in to rescue you like that.” She heaved a sigh.
“I wouldn’t know,” Mary replied dryly, “since I was unconscious at the time. When I woke up, he was slapping my cheek.”
“Slapping you!” Miss Dalrymple repeated, aghast. “No, no, I will not believe it. A perfect gentleman—”
“Oh, not like that,” Mary told her, annoyed. “Just … you know … trying to wake me up.” She demonstrated on her own cheek.
“It is best if you don’t mention it at all.” Miss Dalrymple shook her head disapprovingly. “A gentleman should never enter a lady’s bedchamber.”
Mary rolled her eyes. “Even when she screams for help?”
“If word got out, it could ruin your reputation,” the chaperone countered, rising to her feet. “Now, I am going to get ready to leave, as Sir Royce suggested, and I expect you girls to do the same.”
As soon as Miss Dalrymple left the room, Camellia rounded on her two older sisters. “All right. What aren’t you two telling us? Don’t deny it; I saw that look between you earlier. You know something more than you’re letting on to Sir Royce.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Mary saw Cosmo the other day,” Rose said.
“What?” Lily’s voice rose. “And you didn’t tell us?”
“I wasn’t sure it was him,” Mary protested.
“You could have told us anyway! You never tell us anything.”
“We aren’t children anymore,” Camellia addded.
“I know. I’m sorry. I would have told you, but Sir Royce and Fitz were there, and then when we got home, we were so busy. I didn’t think it was important, anyway.”
“All right,” Camellia said somewhat begrudgingly. “Never mind all that. Where did you see him? Did he talk to you?”
“No. I saw him at a distance. That’s why I wasn’t sure it was him. It was at the Tower, when I left the rest of you. I thought I saw him some way off, and I went looking for him, but I lost him. And then …” She shrugged, a blush rising in her cheeks as she remembered what had happened after Royce found her. “Anyway, I just saw him for a moment, and it wasn’t up close. I could have been imagining things.”
“You didn’t imagine what happened last night.”
“No. But that man couldn’t possibly have been Cosmo, he was far too big. Besides, even with a mask, I think I would have recognized Cosmo.”
“Is that why you didn’t tell Sir Royce either about seeing him?” Lily asked.
“Yes. I knew it couldn’t be Cosmo. And I just …” Mary sighed. “I don’t know. I never told the earl or any of them about Cosmo. I’m not sure why. Maybe I was afraid it would make Lord Stewkesbury more suspicious of us. Or perhaps I was simply embarrassed. Cosmo Glass is not the sort one wants to admit knowing.”