Focus, Will. One thing at a time.He returned to that thought which had helped him maintain his sanity in the past. He could not falter now.
“Who would do this to Harriet?” Leonora asked, her brows drawing together in concern. “What do they want? This can’t be because of the wagers, can it?”
“Cromby’s doing?” Calstone asked.
Lady Leonora’s eyes widened. “Cromby? That lecher? Why wouldhedo something like this?”
“That snake!” Lady Selena exclaimed.
“Leeds here cut off some of his routes,” Calstone said, kneading his knuckles. “Now it seems Cromby is wishing for death.”
“I can speak for myself, Calstone.”
Calstone nodded. “Yes, but I know how you hate it.”
“By Jove, do the two of you always bicker like a man and wife?” Selena muttered. “We should get down to business.”
Leonora nodded.
Will’s jaw clenched. “If it’s Cromby, his motive is revenge.”
“Would he hurt Harriet?” Leonora asked.
“No.” He would be a dead man if he did. If even one hair on her head were harmed... “Cromby wouldn’t take the chance. But I need you to tell me everything about the men who took her in as much detail as possible. Do not skip over anything, no matter how insignificant you think it might be.”
Selena nodded. “I’ve an excellent memory.”
Will turned to the footman and spoke with a calm he was not experiencing while his mind whirred. “Have the kitchen prepare tea.” The man nodded and disappeared. “Lady Selena, you saidLady Ophelia and Rochester set after Harriet and the men who took her?”
“Yes,” Lady Selena said. “They will send word as soon as they can.”
Will wanted to dash off immediately, but the only way he could help his wife now was to remain composed and gather as much information as possible without losing his damn mind.
And then he would find the bastard, Cromby, or otherwise.
And he would kill him.
Chapter Twenty-One
Harriet had neverbeen so frightened in her life. Not that time when a spider crawled onto her bed. Not a few weeks ago when she found herself on a small boat in the ocean. Not even the time Cromby had forcibly slobbered over her cheek.
She had been kidnapped.
The moment the thought struck, a measure of calm settled in, enough to be able to remind herself that it had been done in the presence of her friends, and they would never allow her to just be whisked off by some unknown foes. She had no doubt they would be dying of worry, but by now, her friends would have sprung into action—divided to conquer. They would have rushed to inform Leeds, perhaps even Bow Street, and maybe even set out after her.
She estimated the carriage ride had been about twenty minutes or so. The kidnappers had then left her alone in the carriage for approximately twenty seconds before a man opened the door and gathered her up into his arms. They had entered a house, or what she at least thought to be a house.
Presently, she was being tied to a chair by the man who’d removed her from the carriage. He wasn’t one of the kidnappers from the street. He smelled different. More freshly clean. An expensive cologne prickled her nose. Harriet thought it vaguely familiar.
Where have I smelled that scent before?
“Who are you?” Harriet demanded. “What do you want?”
Silence.
“I am talking to you, mister! The least you can do is answer me! Why have you taken me?”
The man chuckled.
