Page 67 of Bound to a Wicked Duke

“We have no other choice,” Madeleine answered for herself. “The Lady will be fine.”

“As you say, Madam.” The driver bobbed his head once more then turned the horses so that she could get mounted.

Mowbray helped Madeleine get onto the back of one of the horses. She did not even attempt to ride in a more ladylike fashion and simply swung her leg over to ride astride. Mowbray frowned but said nothing further on the matter. The driver helped Mowbray to mount his own horse, and then they were off. Riding without a saddle was as different an experience as Madeleine had suspected it would be, but her prior years of training served her well, and she managed to keep her seat onthe horse. They rode in silence, as fast as they were able, each with their own thoughts.

When they arrived at the inn, thankfully in one piece, Mowbray went to speak with the stablemaster.

“Stay here. Do not let anyone see you. We do not need more scandal,” Mowbray instructed firmly before disappearing into the stables.

Madeleine tried to do as he said and stay out of the sight of gawking eyes. A woman in men’s clothing would draw a lot of unwanted attention. She pressed herself into the shadows along the farthest wall of the stables and stood waiting in the dark for Mowbray to return. At one point, a man walked past her hiding place toward the privy, but much to Madeleine’s relief, he did not see her.

When Mowbray finally reemerged, he had two fresh horses with saddles and some food. “Here, eat. You need to keep your strength. It was the best that the innkeeper could manage under such short notice.”

Madeleine took the bread and cheese from him. “It will do.” She did not feel like eating, so she stuck the food in a bag that was hanging from her horse’s saddle.

“Did anyone see you?” he asked, looking around them to make certain that no one was watching them.

Madeleine shook her head. “No, I did as you said and hid in the shadows.”

“Good,” Mowbray nodded in approval then assisted her into the saddle of her new equine companion. He then mounted his own horse. “Ready?” he asked, his brows arched in question.

Madeleine nodded. “As ready as I will ever be,” she replied, settling herself into the saddle.

“Then let us quickly away from this place.” Mowbray urged his horse into motion, and they took off riding once more, Mowbray riding ahead of Madeleine for the sake of safety.

They hit the road at a fast pace and did not slow down for a good long clip. The closer they came to Gretna Green, the more that Madeleine’s heart broke. With every step of her horse’s hooves, she felt another piece of her spirit shrivel and die. Her entire being longed for Percy, but she would never have him. She would never know the feel of him, the taste of his kiss on her lips again. Under the privacy of darkness, she finally allowed the tears to come. They flowed down her cheeks and neck in rivulets, soaking into her clothes.

Percy…her heart whispered his name as if in prayer.I love you.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“What is that in the distance there?” Cecil asked, pointing toward a dark object in the middle of the road ahead.

Percy peered through the darkness, the only light being that of the waning moon. “It looks like an overturned carriage.” Percy’s heart sped up at the sight. The memory of what the carriage accident had done to Francis’ body flashed through Percy’s mind, and his heart threatened to stop at the thought that such a thing could happen to Madeleine.Please, God, do not let her be harmed.

The two men pushed their horses even harder towards the large black object, each praying that Madeleine was still alive and well. When they reached the carriage, Percy launched himself from his horse and ran to the side. There was a man on his knees beside a broken wheel. “Whose carriage is this?” Percy demanded to know.

“This carriage belongs to the Mowbray family,” the man answered looking up startled.

Percy took a threatening step towards the man. “Where is she?”

“She?” The man moved backwards a bit in response. It was clear that he was afraid.

Percy wanted to pick the man up by his shirt front and shake him, but he stayed his hand. “Where is the woman who was traveling with Herbert Mowbray?”

“I am just the driver, My Lord.” The man put his hands up, as if to absolve himself from any guilt in the matter.

“Where is she?!” Percy shouted at the man, his voice holding the promise of death if he was not given an answer.

The driver hesitated.

Percy, having had enough, grabbed the man by the front of his shirt and shook him hard. “Where is Lady Madeleine Gillett?!”

The driver scrambled to his feet, trying to get away from Percy, but Percy would not let go until he got an answer. “She is gone,” the driver gasped.

“Gone,” Percy whispered, staggering backwards and releasing the man so abruptly that he fell to the ground. Percy’s heart felt as if it were being ripped out of his chest. “She is gone?”

“Yes, Lord Mowbray took her to the nearest inn for help.”

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