Page 72 of A Dilemma for the Duke

“I wouldn’t be much help. You go on. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Barrington paused on his way to the door. “If it’s any consolation, I bear responsibility, too. I counseled you not to say anything to her. I regret that now.”

“Thank you for that, but ultimately, the decision was mine.”

Barrington nodded and left.

*

For the nextthree hours, Rockford tried to concentrate on the clinic finances, examining ledgers and questioning bank statements. He put down his quill when he felt everything was in good order. Jeffers had brought him dinner, but he had hardly touched it.

He needed to talk things through with someone. Rockford decided to visit Adam. He was the only man to whom he could talk about this.

“Jeffers, have my horse brought around,” Rockford instructed.

A few minutes later, Jeffers returned, looking concerned. “Your horse threw a shoe, Your Grace. I’ll have the carriage waiting for you instead.”

Rockford nodded, accepting the change in plans. The carriage ride along the cliff gave him little solace. The lanternscast long, wavering shadows, and an uneasy feeling settled in his gut. As they approached a narrow bridge over the swiftly flowing Sommer River, the horses suddenly reared, neighing in panic.

“What’s happening?” Rockford called out, bracing himself as the carriage swayed erratically.

“The reins, the horses are not responding!” his groom shouted, struggling to control the terrified animals.

Before he could react, one of the carriage wheels struck an obstruction, and the vehicle lurched violently. Rockford was thrown against the side as the carriage tipped precariously toward the edge of the bridge.

“Jump, Your Grace!” his groom yelled.

Without a second thought, Rockford flung the door open and leaped into the night. He hit the ground hard, rolling to absorb the impact as the carriage teetered and then plummeted into the river below, splintering into pieces upon contact.

Pain radiated through his shoulder, but he forced himself upright. His groom lay nearby, groaning. Rockford hurried to his side. “Are you alright?”

“Aye, sir,” his man winced. “Just a bit shaken.”

Rockford scanned the darkness, the reality of the situation settling in. This was no accident. The reins had been cut. The wheel had struck something placed with precision. A trap. Someone wanted him dead, and they had nearly succeeded.

“Stay here,” he instructed. “I’m going to get help.”

He moved swiftly, driven by sheer determination and the urgency of the situation, which seemed to dull his pain. As he made his way toward town, shadows shifted in the periphery of his vision. Footsteps echoed behind him.

“Who’s there?” he demanded, reaching instinctively for a weapon he didn’t have.

Silence answered.

His anger flared, fueling his resolve. He quickened his pace, the urgent need to get his groom help propelling him forward. The thought of confronting whoever was behind this filled him with a fierce determination. No one would get away with endangering his life and those he cared about.

*

Lora sat onthe chaise in her room. She read the same page for the fourth or perhaps the fifth time, she wasn’t certain. Her mind was a maze of conflicted emotions.

Despite her anguish, worry gnawed at her. She hadn’t spoken to Rockford since their confrontation. Part of her wanted to reach out to hear his voice, but pride and hurt held her back.

A soft rustling drew her attention. Turning, she saw Axbridge standing respectfully at the doorway.

“Forgive the intrusion, milady,” he said gently. “But there’s news of which you should be aware.”

Her heart skipped. “Yes, Mr. Axbridge?”

“There’s been an incident. The wreckage of the Duke Rockford’s carriage was found by the river.”

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