Calstone appeared with the servants and shook his head, and Will let out a breath of relief even as the tension in the muscles of his shoulders pulled taut. Because if she wasn’t here, just where the hell was his wife? There was something they were missing.
“Are you sure he doesn’t know anything?” Calstone asked, grim.
Will shook his head. “I believe he is telling the truth.”
Will pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking.
“Leeds,” Calstone suddenly patted his shoulder and motioned to the door. Rochester leaned on the doorframe, a wry expression on his face.
“It seems I missed all the fun.”
“Harriet?” Will asked quickly.
“We have her whereabouts.” He motioned with his finger and a boy, no older than sixteen, appeared at the door. “I also found this lad skulking about. Seems he is searching for Hatton.”
The boy stepped forward and bowed. “Begging your pardon sirs, but I was told to tell you a lady has been kidnapped and give you the address.”
“Who told you?” Will demanded.
He boy clutched his hands together. “I don’t know, sir.”
“The address?” Will asked.
“Same as the one I followed your wife to,” Rochester said. “This kidnapper also relayed that the lady shan’t be harmed.”
The boy nodded enthusiastically.
Will clamped a hand on Hatton’s shoulder. “Let’s go.” He wanted to find his wife and put an end to whoever kidnapped her, then take her home and nestle into her arms.
“Wait a moment.” Hatton rolled up his sleeves. A thunderous look contorted Hatton’s complexion. “Let me deal with him first. He dared touch my daughter.”
Will didn’t argue. He walked out, leaving Cromby to Hatton. “I’ll wait for you outside.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Isn’t it courteousto offer your victims tea? I’m parched.”
“My servants are off for the day.” Rohan glanced at the cabinet. “I can offer you some sherry.”
“No, thank you,” Harriet says cheerily. I’d like to be clearheaded when my husband beats you to a pulp.”
“So ruthless, darling.”
Harriet snorted. “You remember he practices boxing, don’t you?”
“I’ve been in enough tavern fights to hold my own.”
She gave him an incredulous glance. “Are they the same?”
“Is there much of a difference? It’s the weight of the punch that matters.”
The weight of the punch... Harriet tilted her head. Rohan was about the same height as her husband, but bulkier. His punches would probably be heavy and well-placed, but somehow she knew, just knew, Leeds would win a fight between them.
“I don’t know much about boxers, but I imagine them to be highly disciplined. Extremely agile.”
Leeds was certainly agile. She could attest to that.
“Your husband takes boxinglessons, darling. No matter how you look it, it’s not a fair fight.”
