Page 88 of If Not for the Duke

If Sterling discovered she was right, and Bernie truly was in trouble, he might be thankful, but he’d want to know how she knew his sister needed help. He might even conclude that Lena was working with Winslow and Ludham.

And if he found nothing, and Bernie was fine, he would think her crazed. That she had made up the story for no reason.

“We should go,” she told Nancy and stepped toward the doorway, only to halt.

As much as she wanted to run, to return home rather than face Sterling’s reaction, she couldn’t. She wouldn’t. What mattered right now was Bernie’s safety.

“No.” Lena turned around to look over the empty study, her thoughts racing with concern for her friend. “We will wait for the duke’s return to make certain Lady Bernice is well.”

“Of course, miss,” Nancy said.

Lena noted the hint of approval in her tone, yet it was little comfort. She gestured for Nancy to have a seat on a bench near the bookshelves, then sat as well, her body quivering with the need to take action.

Perhaps she should follow Sterling now. Waiting for their return was going to be painful. Especially when she knew beyond a doubt that she had just lost any chance she had for a future with him.

She should have kept her gift hidden. But how could she when she felt Bernie was in danger? If only she’d thought of an excuse as to why she believed that.

Already she could imagine Sterling staring at her with suspicion, once again. The look that said he didn’t trust her. That was the foundation of any relationship. How could she expect trust from him when she hadn’t had enough faith to share her secret?

She reached for the locket her grandfather had given her and held it tight. What had her grandmother done in situations like this? Lena was certain the lady had handled it with more grace and courage than herself. The thought only made her feel worse.

She’d been forced to choose between her feelings for Sterling and Bernie’s safety. That was no choice at all. Lena closed her eyes and said a silent prayer for their safe return. That was as much as she could hope for.

*

Sterling rode asif his life depended on it. Or rather, as if Bernie’s did. He couldn’t imagine why Lena suddenly thought his sister was in danger, but the terror darkening her eyes and pinching her expression had been enough to convince him.

A glance over his shoulder showed a groom following him, though he was falling back, his horse unable to keep up with Sterling’s. He should have asked Lena for specifics about Bernie’s location and why she thought his sister was in danger, but it was too late now.

He knew Bernie’s usual route and hoped she hadn’t deviated from it this morning. He took some comfort in knowing that a groom accompanied her as well. Perhaps his frantic ride would be for naught. He’d come upon her, and she’d look at him with a puzzled expression.

He dearly hoped that was the case.

He entered Hyde Park at a gallop, pushing his steed even harder once he reached the open meadows. He ignored curious stares from the few other riders he passed, grateful the park wasn’t overly busy at this hour, as it allowed him to make good time. He looked for Bernie, thankful he knew what she was wearing, which made the search easier.

He hadn’t ridden far into the park when he saw her and Thomas, the groom. His blood chilled to see they weren’t alone. Another man on horseback rode directly behind them. The three entered a wooded area and then soon disappeared into the trees.

That wasn’t part of her normal route. His chest tightened at the realization that if he’d been a few minutes later, he might not have found her.

Sterling slowed his horse to a trot as he entered the woods, looking frantically for them. There, just ahead, he caught sight of her bright blue attire. He wound through the trees, hoping to get closer before whoever was with her realized he was there.

Bernie glanced over her shoulder in his direction, her spectacles glinting. Even from this distance, he could see her face was taut with fear. Then her attention returned to the stranger as if she hadn’t seen Sterling. She said something, but he was too far away to hear.

It took only another moment to see the man’s profile—Winslow.

Sterling’s heart lurched at the sight of a pistol pointed at Bernie and the groom. The servant stared at the weapon, seemingly frozen with shock and of little help.

Sterling halted his horse and dropped silently to the ground, doing his best to hide behind the trees. After he looped his reins around a low branch, he risked another look at the three.

Winslow hadn’t heard Sterling’s approach thus far. Perhaps he was so focused on Bernie that he didn’t hear anything else. Sterling reached for the riding crop tied to his saddle. Certain Winslow would either see or hear him at any moment, he gripped the makeshift weapon and hurried through the trees with as much stealth as possible.

Bernie’s gaze caught on him as he neared, causing Winslow to look in his direction as well. Sterling gave the man no time to react but ran forward to strike Winslow’s outstretched arm with the crop.

Winslow cried out in pain, dropping the weapon to the ground on the other side of his horse, too far for Sterling to reach.

“Damn you.” He glared at Sterling, his haggard appearance much different than the last time Sterling had seen him. “You are ruining everything.”

“Ruining your attempt to steal information to help Clarke?”

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