He looked at Smithson and nodded. “Let us head back to the townhouse. I wish to make sure they are all safe.”
The steward gave a little bow. “I made arrangements with Marley before we left. Lady Claire and Lady Suzanna will be well protected in your absence.”
“Thank you, Smithson. I really can trust you with everything,” he said. “But I cannot rest until I am sure they are both safe. Let us head for the townhouse posthaste.”
He boarded the carriage and Smithson got in at the back. As soon as he was settled in, they made their way back to the townhouse at a brisk pace.
It was already past the usual hours of dinner and the streets were devoid of the usual hustle and bustle that filled it in the daytime as people scurried about with their business. Oliver had never felt that it looked as sinister as it did now, with the streetlamps casting shadows in dark alleyways.
With Lord Draydon out of the picture, he could pursue his courtship with Claire unimpeded. However, this was not quite the way he intended and he felt guilty that he found it convenient that his old schoolmate met with a mishap.
Claire certainly would not think so,he thought to himself.Indeed, she has the kindest heart of anyone I know and she and Suzanna recognize him as a friend on some level.
He grimaced at the thought of both Claire and his sister being friends with a man like the Marquess of Draydon. If the events of this day were anything to go by, it would appear that the nobleman was involved with several unsavory characters.
The constable might not think that both ladies were directly involved in the matter, preferring to think of them as some form of leverage to get to Artemus and his father, but Oliver could not rest easily until he got to the bottom of the matter himself.
* * *
Claire and Lady Suzanna were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Duke in the drawing room, when he finally strode into the drawing room with a grim look on his handsome features. Almost immediately, Claire’s eyes scanned him for any visible injuries and felt instantaneous relief when he appeared to be quite well.
“Where have you been?” Lady Suzanna demanded, shooting up from her chair at the sight of him. “What do you think you were doing, racing off in the dark like that?”
In all honesty, the Duke’s sister mirrored Claire’s thoughts perfectly as she did not want Oliver to go out and risk his own safety. Although she understood that he felt the need to protect them both, she did not want him to put himself in danger.
“I met up with the constable before we went to the Marquess’ residence,” he said simply, his handsome features haggard.
Claire sucked in a deep breath.So he did confront Lord Draydon!
She was just about to ask him about it when Lady Suzanna voiced her concerns first.
“Really wise of you to run off into the evening just like that when bandits are roaming the city!” she huffed. “Well, what did you find?”
Oliver glanced at her then his eyes settled on Claire. “He was not at home. The carriage he was in was attacked by bandits just a short while after he left the park and they have taken him.”
Claire gasped in shock, shaking her head.
Taken the Marquess? But where?
“I do not understand,” she murmured. “Where would they take him and for what purpose? If they were common ruffians, they would just demand money and leave. They would not be so bold as to kidnap a nobleman in broad daylight.”
“Mr. Harrold assured me that he would get to the bottom of the matter as expediently as possible,” the Duke replied quietly. “They have Draydon’s footman in custody and they will continue to interrogate him until they find enough clues.”
Lady Suzanna shook her head in disbelief. “What does all this mean? If Lord Draydon was not the one behind the attack on us this afternoon, then who is?”
Oliver grimaced at the question. “The constable believes that the Marquess and his father might be in the acquaintance of several unscrupulous characters, who wished to harm them.”
“But what has that got to do with us?” Claire murmured, shaking her head.
“They might have deduced, after following him for a couple of weeks, that you are important to Lord Draydon,” the Duke told her softly. “At least, that is what the constable thinks with the evidence we have gathered so far.”
Lady Suzanna shook her head. “If that is the case, then it is best that we keep to ourselves for the moment.”
Oliver nodded. “I agree with that. If ever you need anything, let the servants handle it for you. Until the constable has gotten to the bottom of this matter, it would be safer for us to remain at home.”
Claire wholeheartedly agreed with both of them. After the events of the afternoon, it was no longer safe for them to venture out. With the perpetrators bold enough to attack in broad daylight, there was no telling what they might do next.
Although the constable feels that this has more to do with the Marquess and his father, something just does not feel right.It does seem plausible that they may want to harm us to hurt Lord Draydon, using Lady Suzanna and I like a couple of pawns in a sick game.
