He turned to Calstone. “You didn’t ask the servants?”
“Forgive me for receiving the shock of my life.”
Stay calm and think.
She would be on foot unless she’d been able to hail a hack again. She probably had coin on her, and she wouldn’t go home. Hide at a friend’s house, then? Set out for Scotland? Perhaps Wales?
Fear squeezed his heart.
He’d gotten lucky the first time. Remarkably lucky. Will wasn’t so sure he’d be that fortunate again.
“I asked but one thing of you,” he growled at Calstone. “One bloody thing.”
Calstone swore. “I know. The deuced fire went out and my feet were cold all night, keeping me awake. Never thought I’d fall asleep though. Where do you think she could have gone? Back to the docks?”
Will clenched his fists. “No.”
“You must admit, it is rather comic, this entire ordeal.”
Will glared at his friend. “This is not an ordeal; this is my life. And there is nothing comic about it.”
Calstone scratched his head. “When you have the woman, you don’t have the license. When you have the license, you don’t have the woman. I’d call that rather comic.”
“This is not funny,” Will growled. One day, he might have a good chuckle at his misfortune, but not today. Come to think about it... no, he wouldn’t no matter how many years passed. Which was entirely beside the point.
“If you want to laugh, go home,” Will bit out through clenched teeth. “And forget about our friendship.”
Calstone lifted his hands in surrender. “Wait a minute, old chap, I’m not laughing. I’m merely making observations.”
“Then keep your observations to yourself.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Will growled. “Do you want a beating?”
“No, no. Just confirming.” His lips quirked. “Then suppose I shouldn’t say anything about the woman that looks awfully like your runaway bride off yonder.”
Will’s gaze whipped back to the street, his probing eyes settling on the couple Calstone pointed at not far in the distance. He instantly recognized the petite woman speaking to a tall man.
Thank God.So long as he had her in his sights, he would not lose her.
His legs were already carrying him in her direction, his eyes never leaving her silhouette. He spoke only when he was within a few feet of her.
“Harriet.”
She blinked at him. “Oh, you are back.”
“Yes, I’m back.”
Lord Rochester turned at his arrival. “Leeds? Are you also taking a stroll?”
Will nodded. “I saw Lady Harriet pass my house and thought to catch her to discuss our—”
“We’ve discussed all that needs to be discussed,” she hurriedly interrupted with a wide smile.
Will quirked a brow, half stunned by her sudden brightness. “Is that so?”
She nodded.
