Page 65 of Choosing Her Earl at Last
“Why do you say that?” Michael demanded to know.
“This morning, I overheard the guards speaking of a plan to abduct another woman. They said that the woman was Mr. G’s wife. I did not think anything of it at the time. If anything, I thought that it was odd that the man would have to abduct his own wife.”
“Mr. G’s wife is my sister,” Rebecca breathed, fear returning to her eyes. She looked at Colin and then to Michael.
Fear clutched at Michael’s heart, and he took a step toward Martha in urgency. “When? Where are they taking her?”
“I do not know. They may have already taken her. The guards did not say.”
Michael took one look at Colin and Rebecca, his eyes telling his cousin everything that he needed to know without a word being spoken.
“Go,” Colin agreed with his unspoken thoughts. “I will get Rebecca home safely. Go and save Emmeline.”
“Send your men to the Green Dragon Tavern. I am going to the Frampton family townhouse,” Michael commanded of the lead Runner as he took off at a dead run and leaped onto the back of the nearest horse. He raced through the streets of London, causing people to leap out of his way as he paid no mind to his surroundings. His only thought was to get to Emmeline before it was too late.
When he reached the Frampton family townhouse, he leaped from the back of the horse and raced up the stairs to the front door. He pounded on the door with his fist, his heart racing as he prayed to God for Emmeline’s safety. To his surprise, Theodocia Frampton herself opened the door.
“Michael!” she cried, using his given name for the first time since he was a child. “Do you happen to know where my daughter might be? I cannot find Emmeline anywhere.” Distress darkened her eyes, panic causing her hands to flutter nervously at her throat.
“She is not here?” Michael’s heart thudded in his chest.
Theodocia shook her head. “I have had the servants search the entire house. I have not been able to find Mr. Hardy either.”
Emmeline’s friend, Louisa, came to stand beside Theodocia. “Have you found her?” she asked, looking at Michael with concern.
“We found Rebecca. Colin is bringing her home as we speak. The laundress, Martha Gouldsmith, was also found. She overheard some of Mr. G’s men speaking of taking Emmeline hostage, but she did not know where.”
“Why is this man taking my children?” Theodocia demanded to know, her voice rising to near hysteria.
“He wants something that your husband left Emmeline,” Michael explained.
“My husband only left Emmeline a pendant necklace, a painting, and some small amount of money for her to use in the pursuit of art. It is not enough to justify the abduction of my two daughters and a laundry maid,” Theodocia argued. “How would he even know about my daughter’s inheritance?”
“Mr. G is Norman Livingston, the Marquess of Worthington, Emmeline’s husband,” Michael solemnly informed them.
“Surely you jest,” Theodocia argued, her face contorted in disbelief.
“I do not,” Michael reassured her. “With this new knowledge, might you know what it is that he seeks?”
“The treasure map,” Louisa murmured.
“What?” Theodocia turned to frown at Louisa.
“Emmeline’s father left her a map to a treasure,” Louisa informed her.
“Where did the map lead? Where is this treasure?” Michael questioned. “Did she tell you?”
Louisa nodded. “I have been there with her. It is in a place between the Ravenshollow and Frampton estates. It is in the place where you confessed your love for one another.”
Michael’s brows rose in surprise that Louisa would know such a thing. He wondered if Emmeline’s father had known the same, but he did not ask the questions that arose from the old antiquarian’s choice. “And you are certain that this is what Mr. G seeks?”
Louisa nodded. “I am as certain as I can be.”
“Thank you,” Michael inclined his head in respect, then turned and mounted his horse once more. “I will send word as soon as I have found her. Please inform the Bow Street Runners of what you have told me when they arrive. They will have questions for Rebecca, but they will be respectful and wait to ask them once she is returned home to you. Colin will make certain of it.”
“Take our carriage,” Theodocia offered as it came trotting around to the front of the house. “We were about to depart for the magistrate to speak with him about Emmeline’s disappearance when you arrived.”
Michael nodded in agreement. Just as he was about to step foot in the carriage, Colin arrived with Rebecca in tow.
