Page 93 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
“Intentions that have likely lost me the woman I love.”
Ellie’s eyes widened as her cheeks blew up. “What? Love? You cannot love her!”
“And yet I do. Now, I am going to go after them, and I suggest you pray that I find Juliana before it’s too late.”
“You’re going to leave now? But it will be dark soon.”
“They could not have gone too far by carriage,” he said to himself, no longer listening to her. “I should overtake them on horseback.”
“They will spend the night at the Marching Inn,” Ellie said. “Lord Somersby told me of his plans.”
Nash was surprised his sister had offered up such information. “Perhaps there is hope for you yet, Ellie.”
Nash didn’t say another word to his sister but walked out of the room, calling for his valet. He had a woman to save.
***
Nash and Johnson arrived at the Marching Inn tired and dusty; however, Nash didn’t bother to catch his breath or ask for something to drink.
He went straight into the inn and began looking for Juliana while Johnson took care of the horses. When he couldn’t find them, he went to the gentleman at the front desk and dumped a sack of money on the table.
“I need information,” he told the man.
“Good day, sir,” the man said, sliding the sack off the table without looking at it. “How can I help you?”
“You have Lord Somersby and Miss Juliana Hathaway in this establishment. I need to know their room numbers. I’m afraid the earl has taken the woman against her will.”
The man’s eyes widened. “Indeed? Lord Somersby checked in two hours ago and came down for dinner. Miss Hathaway did not.”
“Point me in the direction of her room, my good man,” said Nash. “I need to do a bit of saving.”
The man didn’t hesitate to give Juliana’s room number and key and bid him Godspeed. Nash wasted no time looking for the room, finding it on the second floor. He desperately knocked on the door, calling out to Juliana.
“Isabella?”
“Your Grace?” he heard her say. “Is that you?”
“Yes! My sister told me everything. I am so sorry for what has happened.”
“’Tis not your fault, but I’m afraid I cannot get out. My room is locked.”
“Wait, I have the key.”
Nash hurriedly unlocked the door and pushed it open, revealing a red-faced woman. Juliana had obviously been crying. She took one look and threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his torso. Nash didn’t know she was weeping until he felt her body shaking against his.
“I am so sorry,” he said, smoothing her hair back.
“I am so glad you are here,” she cried. “I didn’t know what to do. Lord Somersby brought me here and locked the door, and the window was too high to jump out. I thought I was doomed.”
“There, there,” Nash soothed. “He will never harm you again. I’m here to take you home.”
“Just what do you think you’re doing with my fiancée in your arms?” a man said behind him.
With bubbling anger, Nash turned to the man while keeping his arm around Juliana. He was surprised to find a pistol pointed at him.
“What are you doing, Lord Somersby?” said Juliana. “You cannot just shoot someone!”
“I’ll call it self defence,” the man replied, a manic look in his eyes. “I’ll say I caught him trying to kidnap you, and I shot him in self-defence. Your parents will believe my story because you are my fiancée, after all.”
