“But why shoot at us the other night. It makes no sense. What did Huxley or Winchcomb hope to gain out of it?” Daniel queried. “If, indeed, it was either of them.”
The men were silent while they thought things over, the only sound in the room their harsh breathing for several seconds.
“The first shot came as I reached forward to close the carriage curtains,” Daniel said slowly as his mind ran through the events of that night.
“So it’s possible it was you they were after?”
Daniel looked at Simon as he spoke. “Perhaps with me gone, Winchcomb thinks he can intimidate Eva to give him money or - ”#p#分页标题#e#
“He could control her completely. After all, he is one of those men who believe all women can be gentled by force,” Simon added. “Perhaps he has promised Huxley a share of anything he gets out of Eva or worse…”
“With me gone, he could hand Eva to Huxley,” Daniel growled. “It seems he did not take my threats seriously.”
“I think we should pay him another call,” Simon suggested.
“Yes,” Daniel’s smile was feral. “After we buy you a decent horse.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Eva spent the next hour discussing the ball with her grandmother and then when she thought her head would burst from the lists of things she was charged to do, the Dowager Duchess rose to leave. This time, she kissed both of Eva’s checks and told her to take care and then stomped from the house.
The note arrived that afternoon. Restless, Eva had been reading a book in the library when Molly tracked her down and handed it to her. She knew instantly that it was from her father. Opening it, she read the words.
I have your brother. Therefore, you will come at once and bring money or jewels. We may have failed to kill your husband but we will not fail again. Don’t doubt that Reginald is here, or that I won’t make him suffer because you, Berengaria, did not fulfill your obligations to me.
With the note clenched in one fist, Eva ran to her room and wrenched off the sling. Ignoring the stab of pain in her shoulder and aches in her body, she pulled on her coat, gloves and bonnet and then grabbed her reticule. Opening a drawer, she found some money and stuffed it inside. Neither Molly nor Wernham were thankfully in sight as she reached the front door. Slipping out, she ran down the stairs and onto the street. Making her way to the corner, she kept walking until she found a hackney.
“Tattersall’s Horse Sales, please, and hurry.” Slamming the door, she sat on the seat and prayed. Visions of Reggie at the hands of her father filled her head as they journeyed through London until finally the carriage stopped. Looking around her as she stepped down, Eva saw a group of boys. Signaling to one, she urged him forward.
“Yes, Miss?”
His face was eager, especially when she opened her reticule and handed him several coins. “How can I help you?”
“I need you to go into Tattersall’s Horse Sales and find the Duke of Stratton. When he is before you, inform him that his wife is awaiting him outside. Can you do that?”
“Of course, Miss.”
“You must hurry. The matter is urgent.”
She watched him disappear into the crowd of men before her and then she waited and watched. Daniel would be furious that she had left the house alone but she had had no choice. She had needed to reach him as soon as she could and calling a carriage and finding Molly would have taken up precious time.
It was only a matter of minutes before she saw Daniel striding toward her. Uncaring of who was watching, Eva picked up her skirts and ran to meet him, launching herself at him when close enough. Strong arms caught and held her.
“I told you not to leave the house, wife.” His cheek rested briefly on top of her head.
“I had to. Please, Daniel, we must talk now.”
Sensing the urgency in her words, he lowered her to the ground, then placed an arm around her waist as they made their way along the row of carriages until they reached his. Opening the door, he urged her inside and then followed. Taking the seat across from her, he placed his hat beside him and then stripped off his gloves.
“Did you bring servants with you? Where is your carriage?”#p#分页标题#e#
“I called a hackney and no, I did not bring Molly. Daniel, I need-“
“What!” His roar bounced off the walls. “You were injured and shot at and you left the house unprotected?”
“Daniel, you must listen to me!” Eva grabbed his hands and he stilled, his grey eyes now intent as they focused on hers.
“Are you finally about to tell me the truth, Duchess?”