Page 85 of The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess
“Yes, Your Grace!”
Spinning on his heel, the Duke ran out of the foyer with his heart pumping furiously. It was not feasible to ride that far in one day but he had to try. His only hope was that they—whoever they were—would have mercy on his child. But was he prepared to hand over the love of his life to do so?
There must be a way,Moses swore as he swiftly changed his clothes, grabbed a cloak, his pistols, and some money, then rushed out to meet Lavinia who was looking sickly.
She has nothing to do with this.
“Please,” Lavinia begged, “Please get her back to me… to us.”
“I will,” Moses swore as he tightened the cloak, “I will get her back if I have to give my life for her.”
The Duchess sagged away and sat on her chaise-lounge, “Send a maid to bring Nicholas to me.”
Without a word Moses was out the door and halfway down the stairs, ordered a maid to get his son to his mother, and then he was out. There, dancing in place, was Pegasus, saddled and ready. “Thank You, Oliver.”
Swinging into his saddle, Moses spurred the horse into a gallop and sped out of the circle and onto the road. Panic was building in his system and he pressed the horse to ride hard. The steed lived up to his name and sped through the streets with hitherto unseen speed. The wind whipped past Moses’ head as the sense of failure lurked inside his mind.
What if I don’t get her back in time? Will they harm my child? God forbid!
Sweat was budding on Moses’ forehead and down his back. He was riding fast but somehow felt like he was going a snail’s pace. He knew it was foolish to spur Pegasus harder but his mind was spinning so furiously he could barely decide what to do.
He reached the entrance of Camdonshire and was darting down the road when he sped past a carriage. His eyes recognized the driver before the image and name connected with his mind. When it did, however, Moses reeled the dashing horse in, turned, and raced back. He saw Mr. Cartridge on the driver’s seat.
A hope he had never expected sprung to life within him and he called out with fearful anticipation, “Miss Robins?”
A head that held eyes he dreamed of every night was stuck out the window. “Your Grace!”
The carriage stopped and the Duke jumped off the horse so quickly that his legs barely met the ground before he yanked the door of the carriage open.
“My God!” Moses cried in exorbitant relief. She was there, just where she needed to be—but how? “I was coming for you. How did you know?”
“I felt it,” Caroline replied, “They said it was impossible, but I felt something was wrong. I felt it, Moses, I swear. I told them that if they didn’t carry me back, I was going to find my own way. Please tell me, what has happened?”
“They took Josephine, Miss Robins,” Moses said grimly, “They took my child in exchange for you.”
Her eyes went wide and her lips went paper thin. “Who-whowould do such a despicable thing?”
“I cannot conjecture but we need to get home now,” Moses added, “Please get back inside the carriage. We need to hurry.”
Determined lines were in her face, “Yes, we do.”
He knew he needed to let her go but Moses grasped her hand tightly. “Thank God, you’re back.”
With a strained smile, she pulled away fully and went back into the carriage. Moses remounted Pegasus with the strong belief that God was really looking out for him. They hastened back to the manor and the trip back from Camdonshire to Barley was done quickly, but somehow time seemed to crawl.
“Miss Robins and Miss Mills, please go inside,” Moses was somber, “I need a word with Mr. Cartridge.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Verona spoke with a curtsey, while Caroline could only muster a grim smile.
As the two went inside, Moses spoke to the man, “Mr. Cartridge, this situation is dire, and I do not know if I am being watched which is why I have not had the chance to speak to the authorities. I need you to do so on the way out of Barley. There is a route to Dalton that passes by the constables. When you and Miss Mills leave, please alert them to come when I send for them. I know I will receive another missive from these blackguards as the first one was not specific enough.”
“Understood, Your Grace,” Mr. Cartridge nodded.
Grimly, Moses gestured, “Please come inside, you must need some refreshments.”
The air inside the house was colder than when he had left it. Bleakness had saturated the air and Moses could taste the desperation and hopelessness. A maid, pale-faced as the rest of the household, stood there.
“Where is Her Grace?” Moses asked and before she could answer a shatter resounded in his ears. Turning to the sound, Moses ran and entered a sitting room where a red-faced Lavinia was screaming at Caroline. The fragments of an antique vase imported from India lay scattered on the floor.
