Page 10 of Fortune Favors the Frivolous
The fate of both herself and poor Venetia depended entirely upon her ability to convince him—and soon—before the trail to find Venetia went completely cold.
Chapter Five
And so shetried one more time.
“Please, kind sir, I don’t know this area. I were… I were kidnapped and I wanna go home, but I were tryin’ to help out in a desperate situation when I was caught by the men who put me in this box.” Caroline stared fearfully—though hopefully—between Henry and Barnaby, her heart hammering as she waited for their response.
A cold wind swept across the fields, carrying the scent of approaching rain while the moon kept slipping behind scudding clouds, plunging them into moments of absolute darkness before emerging again to cast its silvery light over the scene.
“Kidnapped!” Barnaby’s voice dripped with scorn. “Why’d anyone want to kidnap a scrap like you? What have you done, eh? Up to no good, I’ll warrant.”
“Where do you live then?” Henry narrowed his eyes, and Caroline thrust her face up, hoping desperately for some sign of dawning recognition without voicing this to his untrustworthy companion.
But once again, the moon disappeared behind clouds, casting Henry’s beloved features in shadow just when she most needed to read his expression. Her most desperate mission was not yet lost. But, right now, only Henry could help her.
“I live back there—” She hooked her thumb to the south. “But me… me mistress were kidnapped and forced into a carriage.Lord Windermere is taking her to his hunting lodge. He’s forcing her to marry him, and that’s why I’m trying to stop them.”
“Lord Windermere?” This got Henry’s attention immediately. “I know Lord Windermere.” The curl of his lip indicated he didn’t think much of the man. “Who is the young lady?”
“Miss Venetia Playford.” Caroline tensed, watching his face carefully.
“By God! I know Miss Playford. And her aunt, too.” To Caroline’s relief, the effects of drink were suddenly no longer in evidence. He appeared—miraculously—alert and ready for action.
Until Barnaby said in a bored tone, “He’s playing you, Ashworth. Come, just leave him to his own business while we attend to ours.”
“Which is?” Henry’s tone had grown suddenly cold as he looked at his companion. “Mindless drinking at some tavern?”
“We’ve been invited to the Gimleys—your sister will be waiting for us. But here you are, about to be bamboozled when we could be enjoying ourselves at what promises to be a riotous house party.”
Caroline put her hand to her mouth in horror. How could dear Charlotte be marrying this awful man?
But time was of the essence—her most important task was convincing Henry to help Venetia.
“Please, sir! Me mistress, Miss Venetia, is in danger. Unless someone stops Lord Windermere, her future will be in ruins.”
“No one marries against their will,” Barnaby scoffed.
“Do you know her?” Henry turned sharply. “Of course you do! I came to know Miss Playford very well during a house party at Pendleton Castle, where I formed a very high opinion of her.” He vaulted into the saddle. “She certainly is no adventuress!”
“You’re not about to do something crazy, are you, Ashworth?” Barnaby frowned. “Racing into the dark on a wild goose chase only to discover that this lad is parroting names of the gentry that he’s only heard. Surely you don’t really believe him?”
“It’s true! And I do know where he’s takin’ her!” Caroline piped up. “That’s why he put me in a box so I’d cause no trouble. Please, sir, you’ve got to help me!”
“What’s your name, lad?” Henry leaned down to address her, ignoring Barnaby.
Caroline blinked. Lord, what was her name? She tried to think of something male and non-aristocratic and could only come up with her brother Frederick’s horse.
“Flash, sir,” she said, swallowing hard.
“Flash. Odd name,” Henry observed, but he reached down his hand. “Well then, you’ll have to come with me and tell me where they’re going.”
Caroline grabbed his hand, gasping as she was hauled into the saddle in front of him. The familiar strength of his arm around her waist made her breath catch. How many times had he steadied her thus during childhood riding lessons?
“You can either follow or go home, Barnaby,” Henry said firmly. “Venetia is in danger, and I won’t stand by and do nothing.”
“The lad is lying!” Barnaby’s face flushed dark. “Good God, man, he’s simply repeating names he’s heard. It’s a trap!”
“How could this lad make up such stories with the right names if at least some of it weren’t true?” Henry’s voice was resolute. “Follow me if you will, otherwise I’ll see you when next we meet.”
