Page 99 of A Duke for Adela
Octavian raked a hand through his hair, obviously worried as he continued. “I caught her crying her heart out this morning. I think she is going to run off again soon.”
Adela put a hand to her throat. “What are we to do? I should have asked earlier, did her family leave Town without her?”
Octavian shook his head. “Yes, but they’ve left some of their staff behind. An unsavory lot, if you ask me. They look more like prison guards than travel companions.”
Ambrose frowned. “Where do you think they’ll take her?”
“North to York, that’s what their servants told Mr. Barrow when he questioned them. But I don’t know if that is to be her final destination. She won’t tell me anything, of course. She’s furious I caught her sobbing and accused me of spying on her when all I meant to do was find her and let her know Julius and I had arrived to pick them up.”
Adela appeared genuinely distraught.
Ambrose knew he had to do something for her friend. “Whatever you need, Octavian. Just tell me and I will order it put at your disposal.”
“Nothing for now,” his brother said. “The Bow Street men and I will try to piece together what is going on. We won’t let her come to harm.”
Ambrose nodded.
Adela thanked him profusely. “Thank goodness for you Thorne men. But Octavian, don’t you have a report to give to the members of the House of Lords?”
“The report is written up. Someone else will explain it to them if I am not around to do it. They won’t understand any of the science anyway. In fact, Ambrose can present it for me since you and he will be back in London by the time I am due to stand before them. Do you think you will be away longer than a month?”
“Yes, it is quite possible,” Ambrose said. “Likely we’ll be gone two months, at least.”
His brother sighed. “Well, Julius understands the science as well as I do and is certainly more adept at the politics of presenting it. I’ll ask him to do it if the need arises.”
Ambrose did not think it was wise, for Octavian would have to answer to the Admiralty if he pawned so important a task off on another, even if he or Julius were to be that other. However, his stubborn bull of a brother was a grown man and not about to listen to his older sibling lecture him.
Adela was still fretting. “You are risking a lot for Syd. Let me try to talk to her. We can delay our departure for an hour while I do.”
Octavian shook his head. “It will only be a waste of time. She won’t listen to reason. Gory has already tried to pound sense into her. You are welcome to do the same, but I don’t think she will oblige. She is determined to undertake her mission, whatever it is, on her own.”
“But she promised to tell us after the wedding,” Adela said. “She would not break her word to us.”
Ambrose put an end to the conversation by reminding her their other guests were waiting for them in the dining room. “My brother is on the task. And look at her, she’s smiling and chattering away as though nothing happened this morning.”
Adela sighed. “But we all know it did.”
“Don’t ask me to change our plans, love. Syd is set on her path, whatever that is. Octavian will do all he can to protect her while we are away. It is not your fault she remains stubborn. She has made her choice, as foolish as it may be. Are you now going to set aside your dreams over a friend who is spurning everyone’s offer of help? What do you want us to do? Spend our honeymoon holding her prisoner in our home?”
“No, you are right,” Adela said with a groan. “Let’s enjoy the morning with our friends and family.”
The remainder of their breakfast passed without rancor, everyone enjoying themselves and wishing them well on their travels. It was soon time to leave, and their friends saw them to their carriage which already had their trunks loaded on it. They brought no entourage with them, for one of the inn’s maids would be available to help Adela don her gowns if she was not pleased with Ambrose’s assistance.
As for him, he required little help other than securing his cuff links to his shirt sleeves, something Adela could easily do. “Ready, love?”
She nodded and rushed to hug her friends.
“Enjoy your time,” Viola said, kissing her cheek.
Syd grabbed her and gave her a fierce hug. “Be happy, Adela. You’ve married a very special man.”
“Syd, you must promise me not to do anything foolish while we are gone.”
“I have no intention of doing anything foolish. I’m sure Octavian will see to that.” She cast Adela a wistful smile. “I promise you, I’ll be here when you return. The family crisis has passed, although I’m not certain yet the resolution is to my liking. However, I will seek out Octavian if something more must be done. I know what he said to you about risking his career…risking everything to see me safe. It is more than my family would ever do for me, and I will apologize to him for my behavior this very day.”
Adela hoped she meant it.
When Gory’s turn came to bid her a safe journey, Gory merely grinned and gave her a quick hug. “All I want to know is…above or below? Syd and I have wagered on it.”
