She had barely settled into the ride, her heart finally calming in her chest, when the carriage came to a sudden stop, nearly throwing her off the seat and into Lady Suzanna.
“What in the world—?” her friend exclaimed in confusion, grasping Claire to steady her. Her smooth brow furrowed into a frown. “Is everything all right?”
Claire moved to open the window to take a look but Lady Suzanna stopped her with a grim shake of her head.
“It might be dangerous,” she warned Claire.
No sooner had she finished talking when she heard shouts from outside and the carriage was jolted violently. A huge rock sailed through the curtain draping over the window, narrowly missing Claire.
She turned to Lady Suzanna and found fear mirrored in her gaze.
We are being attacked!
* * *
Oliver frowned as he read the document in his hand for the third time and still failed to grasp a single word it said. He had informed the shipbuilders of his input on the latest design and they had finally sent him the revised blueprints with his suggestions.
Yet, his mind kept wandering to Claire and his sister.
Shortly after luncheon, both ladies headed for the park where Claire was to meet with the Marquess. He had sent an extra footman as added protection, should things not proceed as planned.
However, it had already been close to an hour and a half and both ladies were yet to return to the townhouse.
For some inexplicable reason, he felt a deep foreboding in his heart.
Artemus could not have done something dastardly to Claire,he thought, in an effort to will himself calm.He would not attempt to in such an open and public place and in broad daylight at that.
He heard a polite knock on the door and looked up to find his faithful steward, Smithson, come in.
“Ah, Smithson, my good man,” he smiled in relief. “Are the ladies back?”
Smithson shook his head. “There is still no sign of Lady Suzanna’s carriage, Your Grace.”
His brows furrowed. “But it has been more than an hour! Surely, it would not take so long to dissuade the Marquess?”
“Perhaps the Marquess is most persistent,” Smithson intoned. At Oliver’s horrified expression, he quickly added, “In any case, I have instructed Hanson to watch Lady Claire closely, should the Marquess behave inappropriately in any way. I also feel that since they are in the park, he would not be soimpulsive.”
Oliver nodded, although he still felt ill at ease. “Somehow, I do feel that it is not at all in his character to act so impulsively. He might not take so well to being let down but I do not think he will take rash action on a lady.”
Smithson nodded wordlessly in agreement as Oliver sat back with a sigh, his emerald gaze wandering to the large windows of his office, willing the familiar carriage to come clattering up to the front of the townhouse.
“I just wish they would come back safe and sound,” he murmured.
“Please settle your worries, Your Grace. I am fairly certain nothing untoward has happened to Lady Suzanna and Lady Claire,” the steward reassured him. “Mayhap, they have taken a detour to Bond or Regent St. to pick up some knickknack or another.”
Oliver gave a slight smile. “Yes, that does seem like something my sister would do.” He turned to the steward with a self-deprecating smile. “I seem to be worrying over nothing.”
“You hold both ladies closely to your heart, Your Grace. It is quite natural to be worried for them.”
“I suppose,” the Duke sighed. “They are both pretty headstrong young ladies. I pity the fool who dares to cross their paths.”
Smithson offered a little smile and said nothing else.
Oliver, however, could not sit still. He kept looking out the window, willing the carriage to magically appear on his doorstep. He could hardly wait to scold them for making him worry so.
Of course, for me to reprimand them, they have to come home, he thought, with no small amount of mental anguish.I just wish they would come home safely. There is nothing I want more in this world than for my sister and Claire to come home.
* * *
