Billionaire Flawed 1(272)

“I’ll talk with you tomorrow,” he said and went over to his aunt. “I think it is time to take out leave, my dearest aunt.” He held out a hand, and Aunt Agatha had no option but to accept it.







His aunt tried to talk to him about the traditions of these balls and how people should not be offended when they broke the rules, but he would have none of it and went off to his bed. Sleep was a long time in coming, and visions of Caroline were ever in his head. He had never before felt so much for anyone and had never been so annoyed on behalf of someone else, and it came to him that if he were to return to London that he would not see the delicious Miss Carstairs again. He drifted into slumber eventually wondering if he could persuade her to return to the city as well.

After breakfast and a few stern words with his aunt he set off for Badger’s residence and had only been with his friend for minutes when Arabella ran into the room in a most unladylike fashion. “Arabella, for heaven’s sake, calm yourself.” Badger admonished, but his sister shook her head, panted for breath and waved a hand in the air. “She has gone. Caroline. Driven off to London on her own in a carriage.” Both men were instantly at her side and waiting for more details. “How did she go?” Badger demanded. “Who is with her?”

“And how long ago?” Bertie added. Arabella caught her breath and said that the servants told her that she had left in her own carriage with just a driver about an hour ago. The two men were horrified, and Arabella knew as well that the risks of being held up by robbers was always on the roads. Even when the large stage coaches were guarded, they were still stopped and robbed. Sometimes it was just for the valuables, but sometimes the robbers attacked the victims as well. Bertie made a quick decision. In fact, he did not really think about it. It was enough to know that Caroline was in danger. He turned to Badger and was already heading for the door. “My horse is ready. I will chase after them. An hour is not long. Get some help and follow me.” With that and not waiting for agreement Bertrand Collins- Margrave ran to the stable yard, flung himself onto the still saddled stallion and galloped off along the main drive which was the quickest route to the road. It was a mad and crazy ride, but the horse answered the call, and the pair thundered along the road towards London heedless of the looks they were attracting from anyone who was out and about. He was an excellent horseman and a strong young man. Bertie prided himself on his appearance, and that included having a trim body. That body was using all of its strength to urge the horse forward. His mind was calculating that an hour in a carriage would not have made a lot of progress, and he thought that maybe half of that time would catch them up. He had not thought about what would happen when he found her. “Maybe she will not listen. Maybe she will send me away.” He thought as he travelled but kept on going and after some time, he saw in the distance a carriage on the track ahead and then his heart sank as he realised it was stationery, and there were two men in front of it blocking the way. Bertie did not slow down. As he drew near, he saw Caroline hand out a bag from the carriage to the nearest robber who was waving a pistol in the air. The other one was waving another gun at the driver who was still sitting on the seat holding the reins.

Bertie kept on galloping towards the scene and instead of slowing he sent his mount directly at the man taking the bag. The horse saw the collision coming and slowed involuntarily, but it was still travelling at some speed when it knocked into the robber. Bertie jumped from the horse and let himself fly at the second robber in front of the carriage. The first one was on the ground and trying to get under the vehicle away from the horse’s hooves. Robber number two was taken by surprise and when he was leaped upon by an enraged gentleman. In panic, he fired the gun, and Bertie felt a hot pain in his shoulder, but it was not enough to slow him down. Bertie pulled back his arm and punched the robber directly onto the nose which spurted blood everywhere. The gun clattered to the ground. Caroline screamed as she saw the blood and thought it belonged to Bertie. The footman who had been driving had now leaped to Bertie’s aid and between them, they immobilised the second robber. The first one scrambled out from under the carriage and ran off as fast as his legs could carry him. Bertie let him go and found some cord to tie up the one they had caught. The penalty for highway robbery was death, and the man was now pleading to be let go, but they took no notice.

“You are not hurt are you?” Bertie asked Caroline anxiousl,y and her reply was to come forward and hold out her arms. “I am fine, but you are hurt. Let me see what is wrong.” He took a step forward and collapsed into her arms. The driver rushed to her aid, and they propped Lord Haverbrook against the carriage wheel. The driver caught the free horse and Badger and another two servants came galloping post haste down the road to assist. “Oh Mr Tomkins, I am so glad to see you. Bertie is injured.” Badger knelt down on the road beside his friend and pulled away the jacket. Caroline gasped as she saw that blood was spreading across is white shirt and cravat from his shoulder. “I need cloths,” Badger said looking around. Caroline darted to where her bags were in the carriage, ripped one open and produced a white petticoat. Badger grabbed it and staunched the wound. He looked at Caroline. “Hold that against him and when the bleeding stops, we will get him into the carriage. He sent his two servants off to find someone to take the robber into custody and tied his own horse and Bertie’s to the rear of the carriage. “I think it has stopped now.” Caroline ventured and raised the cloth a little. Badger looked and agreed. He called the driver, and together they lifted Bertie into the carriage. Bertie himself was coming round and could help a little as the two men struggled to get him onto the seat. Once there, Badger asked Caroline to come and hold the cloth again. She sat beside him and the driver started to turn the carriage back in the direction of home. Badger saw, with relief that the footmen had brought the law and when he gave details and his own and Bertie’s names and addresses they took the robber away.