Page 19 of Her Duke's Second Chance

“Yes! Yes, that was her!” Georgiana said with relief. “Where are they?”

The girl shrugged, “They was talkin’ aboot agoin’ to wed at Gretna Green.”

Georgiana nodded impatiently. “Yes, but did they already depart, or are they still here?”

The girl frowned in thought. “I believe they went to the blacksmiths. One of their horses might have needed a shoe.”

Georgiana sighed with relief. “Thank you.” She dug in her reticule and handed the girl a gold coin, with a smile. “For your troubles.”

The girl stared at the coin as if she had never seen one, reaching out for it slowly.

“Th-thank e’, ma’am.” She stared at the coin in awe before closing her fingers around it.

Georgiana left her to it, eager to get to the blacksmith’s shop before her sister left.

On the way, she bumped into Robert, who seemed to be heading in the same direction. She raised an eyebrow at him in inquiry.

“Were you told about the blacksmith’s too?” he asked.

She nodded. If two different people had seen her sister at the blacksmith’s, then the information had to be correct.

They were finally going to rescue Daisy.

The blacksmith’s shop was a hot and smoky, noisy place. She walked quickly through the establishment and examined each person she passed, but did not find Daisy.

Her shoulders dropped in disappointment as Robert hailed the blacksmith.

He came out from behind his forge with an inquiring look on his face. “Can I help ye?”

“Yes, we are searching for a gentleman and a lady. The lady would have been very youthful, with blonde hair and eyes similar to my wife’s here,” Robert gestured, much to Georgiana’s surprise.

She had not realized that he knew what her sister looked like.

The blacksmith looked suspiciously between them. “Aye, I seen people that migh’ answer that description. What do ye be wanting wi’ ‘em?”

“Well, with all due respect, my good man, that is none of your business,” Robert said with aplomb.

Georgiana’s eyes widened and she cleared her throat in horror. There was no need for Robert to be so rude to the man, especially since they needed information from him.

Robert ignored her, unfazed.

Strangely enough, his answer seemed to appease the blacksmith.

“They seemed in a great big hurry,” he said. “They was wanting to get to Gretna Green today so they could be wed.”

Robert and Georgiana exchanged urgent looks.

“How long ago was that?” Robert asked.

The blacksmith shrugged, “No more’n two hours.”

Georgiana gasped. “We can still catch up, but we have to hurry.”

Robert gave a put-upon sigh. “Indeed.” He shook his head. “How you and your sister are so different, I do not understand.”

She glared at him. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

He shook his head. “You have to admit that you are very different when it comes to common sense.”

---