Page 85 of A Duke for Adela
“The blame is mine,” Gory said. “I sent word for them to come straight to me. You see, I saw carriages in front of Syd’s townhouse and trunks being loaded onto them. I was afraid her family was going to pack her off to parts unknown.”
“Were they?” Adela said, now rushing to her friend’s side.
Syd was not responding, so Octavian answered for her. “Yes, they were. But I put a stop to it. We knew there was no way she was ever going to miss your wedding unless forced to leave under duress. Something had to be wrong. Julius and I decided to get her away from her family. Um, they may have the constables come after me on some fabricated abduction charge.”
Syd frowned at him. “You did abduct me.”
“And you ought to be grateful for it,” Gory shot back. “You are frightened to death, which is not like you at all. Why won’t you confide in us? We were late because we had to return to my house so Syd could borrow one of my hideous gowns, although it seems to suit her rather nicely, doesn’t it? Figures, she looks like an angel in it and I look like a turnip whenever I put that thing on.”
“By the time we came around to pick you up, Lady Withnall,” Julius said, his gaze on Phoebe as he explained, “you had already taken your own carriage to come here. Our sincere apologies. We hope you understand the reason for our rudeness.”
“I do, dear boy. You did the right thing.” She thumped her cane to emphasize her agreement.
Adela nodded. “Syd, this is very serious. You cannot keep us out of it any longer. We’re not going to let anyone hurt you, so you may as well help us get to the root of your problem before the magistrate and his constables come after the rest of us.”
Syd appeared on the verge of tears. “You are getting married tomorrow. I refuse to tell you anything before then. Your Grace, I hope you will protect your brother should anyone try to arrest him.”
Ambrose nodded. “Of course, I will.”
“I don’t need anyone protecting me,” Octavian shot back.
Syd frowned at him. “Nor do I.”
Octavian merely growled.
“If your family is involved in something shady,” Eloise said, “the last thing they will do is summon the authorities. But you must tell us everything after the wedding. I insist on your promise, Sydney.”
Syd darted off toward the glass doors leading onto the terrace.
Octavian sighed. “She is either running off to cry or to escape. Either way, I had better go after her.”
Julius held out his arm to Gory. “We had better keep an eye on those two. Syd is even more stubborn than Octavian, and he is the stubbornest man I know. He may need our help.”
Gory turned to Adela. “You keep out of this for now. Meddle as much as you wish after your wedding, but do not let anything interfere with your happiest day.”
Ambrose groaned inwardly as he watched the pair dash off.
He knew Adela was not going to sit back and do nothing. Why should she think tomorrow was going to be the most important day of her life when he had never told her that he loved her? Becoming a duchess was not a reason she considered of any importance. Nor did she think he would go to pieces if he ever lost her.
But she had turned him inside out during their encounter with Runyon.
Seeing her hurt had almost destroyed him.
Fortunately, the bounder was securely behind bars now and would remain so for quite some time to come unless sentenced to be hanged.
He fixed his gaze on Adela who was fidgeting beside him. “Despite appearances, Octavian has the matter well in hand. I’ve already told you I would put Mr. Barrow onto the task of assisting him. I’ll do it this very evening. In the meantime, Syd will stay with you at Eloise’s. No one in her family is to get near her until we understand what is going on.”
Eloise nodded. “Syd and Gory already planned to stay over tonight. Their gowns are at my place and their guest rooms are prepared. Between you Thornes and the Bow Street men to guard us, we ought to be quite safe.”
Ambrose certainly hoped so.
Runyon’s misdeeds were an ugly business, but he sensed Syd’s situation could be something just as sinister.
However, there was little they could do while Syd refused to cooperate.
“Adela, dance with me,” Ambrose said, determined to enjoy this evening with his betrothed and not allow anything more to mar it. The music had started up and the orchestra hired for this splendid affair was now playing a waltz.
To his surprise, she readily agreed.
