“Gerald, keep your temper, son,” his father said. “They can be of help, here and with you. The horses have all been saved, and the damage to the barn was contained to the back,” his father said, running a hand through his damp hair. He nodded toward the house. “Your mother and Lady Fleur have the children and women in hand. Hear what the guards have to say. Maybe they have more information.”
“Doubtful, Father. I’m not sure how Vern and Grom slipped away from them to begin with. Make sure the Prince Regent’s guards hold onto this one,” Gerald spat. He inclined his head before walking towards Hermes.
“We’re coming with you,” Wright said.
“Take as many men as you need,” Gerald said, climbing onto Hermes. “You’ll have to catch up to me.”Selena, I’m on my way, love. Don’t lose faith.
~*~
Chapter Twenty
Somewhere on the road
to Gretna Green
Just before dawn
The day had turned cold and brutal with rain and wind, and Gerald was reminded of what must have gone through when she fled Vern Stiles. Gerald, Percival, Wright, and three of Wright’s men pursued Vern’s trail. Banbury had stayed behind to assist with the clean-up of the stables and to make sure the women and children were all right. Gerald had not worried about leaving Banbury, along with his father, and Connery to oversee everything. He knew they, as well as the Regent’s men, would continue to question Grom. Doctor Baker had arrived just as they were leaving. The good doctor would tend to Grom’s wounds, but the giant would be kept in the cellar until they returned.
After riding for the rest of the day and most of the night, they weren’t any closer to finding them. Gerald was beyond frustrated. They had stopped at every inn along the way and questioned the innkeepers and their wives…and any servants they ran into who worked at various inns in case they might recognize the description of Vern and Selena. As time passed, frustration began to build within him.
Gerald was determined to find her. But how could Vern be that much farther ahead of them? The barn hadn’t been on fire that long, so he couldn’t have had that much of a head start. “We’ve not missed a single inn on this road. So far, we’ve turned up nothing. There are absolutely no signs of the bastard,” he said to Wright.
“There is one more inn on this stretch of road, and then, a mile-long stretch with no other establishments. It’s a pity we don’t have a better description of his carriage. All Grom couldprovide was ‘it was black with red interior leather, powered by four brown horses,’” Wright elaborated. “I’m sure he didn’t dispose of the horse he stole. So that may be tied behind.”
“Sounds like you’ve traveled this road a bit,” Gerald said with a wry smile.
“I’ve traveled it a time or two, but not for the reasons you think,” Wright chuckled. “Usually looking for someone else’s sister or loved one.”
“Ah, Wright, you’ll forever be the last bachelor standing eh,” Percival teased.
“Why should I limit my charms to just one lovely lady when there are so many who yearn for my attentions?” Wright quipped back. “Poor Percival, now that you’re a newly minted viscount you’ll no longer be able to travel from port to port wooing those luscious senoritas. You’ll have to take your rightful place among theton, manage your estate, marry a dewy-eyed debutante, and spend the rest of your life landlocked.”
“I only just got here. I haven’t even been to Rose Point,” Percival said. “Besides, there will be a lot to sift through after all this is over. Finding a dewy-eyed debutante is not exactly first on my list.”
“All right you two, before you launch into tales of your romantic exploits, shall we get back to our search?” Gerald said dryly.
“I believe there is one more inn in this area before a stretch of highway and the next batch of inns,” Wright said. “If I recall, it’s just around the bend. I won’t pretend to know the name of it.”
“Either Vern greased their palms or threatened the innkeepers. There’s no way he could be traveling in a carriage with Miss Bowles and not have stopped,” Percival said. “Unless these innkeepers are the same as the ones, I’m used to dealing with in port towns.”
“People elope to Gretna Greene, so innkeepers and tavern owners are used to keeping silent about the couples who stop for the night. I suppose it’s part of the culture here,” Wright added.
“That must be the inn up ahead,” Gerald said, pointing to a white inn with heavy smoke coming from its chimney, just as they rounded the curve in the road. “Let’s spread out,” Gerald said in a low voice. “We’ll cover the front door and the back so the bastard can’t escape.”Look for a black carriage with a red interior. I’m certain the horses have been changed several times by now if he’s here.”
Gerald and Percival went in, while Wright and one of his men watched the front, and Wright’s two other men went to the back.
It was the same routine they’d followed at every stop.
Gerald strode up to the innkeeper and began to ask him if he’d seen Vern and Selena. He went on to describe Selena and what he knew of Vern.
“No milord. We’ve not seen anyone that matches that description,” the innkeeper, a man named Lampshire said, shaking his head.
“Have you seen a black carriage with a red interior come through this day?” Gerald persisted. Looking around Gerald saw several black carriages, although he’d have to get closer to see if their interiors were red. At this point, he would check.
Still, the man shook his head.
Gerald’s gut told him that the innkeeper was lying. “Mr. Lampshire,” Gerald said, trying once more. “Are you married? Do you have children? A daughter perhaps?”
