Chapter Twenty-nine
TRAVEL weary and covered in a layer of road dust, Daniel barreled up the stairs to Taunton Court. He anticipated sweeping Julia into his arms and kissing her senseless. His plans changed at the sight of Taunton pacing the front foyer. His smile faded, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.
Something was wrong.
“Bedford has Julia. He waylaid her coach on the way into town this morning. Told the driver he would escort her the rest of the way. They never reached town.”
“I will find her.” Daniel turned on his heel, but Taunton caught his elbow, holding firm.
“Wait, damn it,” Taunton’s voice thundered. “This is my daughter we’re talking about. I am going with you.”
“I am going, too,” Brett declared, having followed Daniel inside.
There was a sharp intake of breath, and Daniel turned to find Emily, her face pale and her hands twisting her handkerchief into a roped coil.
“Fine. We will all go,” Daniel said, not wishing to waste precious minutes with an argument.
Robbie entered on those words and surveyed the scene. “Where are we going?”
“To Bedford Hall,” Daniel gritted out.
“Now? I thought we were going to Hertfordshire. I can’t believe Shaw’s son mailed your father’s papers to your cousin. It would have saved us saddle sores and a bleeding fortune if your cousin had pulled his head out of bird guts long enough to post a letter on to you.”
Daniel was deaf to Robbie’s grousing. “Bedford has Julia. We have to go now. We’re wasting time.”
Robbie straightened to his full, imposing height, his humor gone. “We’ll need new horses.”
“Already saddled. I was waiting for the cavalry to arrive. I am taking a few extra men as well,” Taunton said, his eyes on Daniel.
“Fine.” He wouldn’t need them. The rage propelling him gave him the strength of a one-man army.
IT WAS A short stop at Bedford Hall, and they were on the road again. Edmund’s pompous butler had informed them that His Grace was visiting their cousin in Hertfordshire. His Grace had left word for Daniel to join him as soon as possible, for they had matters to discuss. As if he were a pawn on a bloody chessboard.
Edmund liked his games. He was forcing Daniel to move to protect his queen. He had an hour-long ride to seethe over it. He sought comfort in the fact that he had retained more players than his brother. He also hoped to meet up with the men whom he had hired to follow Edmund. The more players on his side of the board, the better his position for attack and to save his queen.
Julia. His heart thudded her name. He would refrain from killing Edmund only if she was untouched. Otherwise, they would indeed be digging a hole in the Tanners’ back pasture, the one reserved for inferior stock.
It felt like an eternity had passed before they crossed the border into Hertfordshire and the perimeter of his cousin’s property. He signaled the others to rein in their horses, not wanting his cavalry to charge in with pistols drawn. Living with Edmund, he had learned there was something to be said for stealth.
“Is this your cousin’s?” Robbie asked.
“His property is down this rutted lane. An iron-gated entrance should be on the right, and woods and bushes border the perimeters. Tie the horses to the gate, and let’s assess the scene before moving in.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Brett said. He had discarded the sling, but his right arm was still splinted and wrapped in a heavy bandage. Daniel warily eyed the arm, but made no comment. Brett had heeded Daniel’s advice about staying home as well as Daniel had heeded his.
God knew how they ran a successful business together when neither listened to the other. Their success must lie in their blind, single-minded optimism. Or simply a string of good fortune. Right now, he hoped for a dose of both.
After tying the horses, they eased the iron gates open and proceeded inside. A distant noise brought them to an abrupt halt. Heart in his throat, damn near choking him, his hand closed over the Manton revolver in his jacket pocket. Unlike Julia, he had only fired hunting rifles and was a poor shot at that.
A man stepped into the clearing, hands raised. “It’s Riker. Hold your fire.”
He recognized one of the men he had hired to follow Bedford. “It’s all right.” He frowned when Riker jerked his head to indicate movement behind him. Following Riker’s gaze, he found Brett, Taunton, and Robbie with pistols aimed with deadly intent at Riker’s head. “Put those things down before you kill someone,” he hissed.
“How the hell do we know friend from foe?” Robbie muttered.
Riker shoved his tweed cap back from his ample forehead. “Come this way. There are things afoot. I sent a man back to Taunton Court, did you cross paths?”