His Wicked Charm. Candace CampЧитать онлайн книгу.
Thisbe’s husband, Desmond, jumped to his feet. He was normally such a quiet man that his outburst shocked all of them into silence. “We can’t go running off in all directions. We need to get organized. Maybe it’s the Dearborns and maybe it’s just some men hoping to make a profit. We need to be ready for all contingencies, including a ransom demand. We haven’t received one yet, but I would wager we will—no matter who took them. Let’s divide up. Rafe, you and Stephen go confront the Dearborns. Theo, Alex showed you where they held him. You and Reed make sure they don’t have Thisbe and the others there.” The men left immediately as Desmond went on, “The duke should stay here because he’ll be the one they ask for ransom. The same for Uncle Bellard because we need his brain.”
“And you, as well,” Con told him. “To keep us all straight.”
Desmond sighed, casting a glance at the duke, who was pale and shaken. “Yes. I’m afraid I must stay. Con, can you follow the kidnappers?”
“I intend to. That wagon Megan described will make it easier.”
“I’ll go with you.” Megan stood up.
“What?” Con whirled on her. “No. Absolutely not.”
“Are you saying that I’m not capable?” Megan’s chin thrust out. “That I’m too delicate?”
“I’m saying that Theo will have my head if I drag you around the city when you’re bloody, bruised and concussed.”
“That’s—it’s—”
“It’s smart,” Lilah said, rising to her feet. “Megan, you have been through enough today to fell anyone. You’re sore. You’re tired. You would slow Constantine down. Think of all the time and effort that would be wasted if you should lose consciousness again and he had to bring you back.”
Megan regarded her stonily for a moment. “Oh, hell…” She sank back down on the couch.
“Anna, too,” Lilah went on before Anna could speak. “You both need to recover.”
“Exactly.” Con turned toward the door.
“That’s why I am going to accompany you,” Lilah continued.
Con stopped abruptly. “No.”
“Why not? I trust you’re not going to say because I’m a woman.”
Megan snorted with laughter. “Yes, Con, why not? I think she should. Don’t you, Anna?”
“Yes, indeed.”
“After all—” Lilah plowed ahead “—as you said, I am logical, rational and right. It will be an excellent counterpoint to your qualities.”
Con glowered. “Blast it, Lilah, you’ll slow me down. What if we catch up with them? What if there’s a fight?”
“Then you’ll have someone to help you. I kept up with you when we went looking for Alex, didn’t I?”
“Yes, but…what about your aunt? Won’t she wonder what’s happened to you?”
“I can send my maid back to tell her I’ve been invited to stay for tea.”
“I’ll send her a note extending our invitation to you for dinner and the evening,” Anna offered. “Or, even better, Megan can. A marchioness is much more impressive.”
“There, you see? Think of the advantages if I go with you.” Lilah continued her list of reasons. “You’ll have another person to look for them, to question people. And—” Her face lit triumphantly. “If you find your mother and sisters and need reinforcements, you’ll have someone who can go for help while you keep watch to make sure they don’t escape.”
“Oh, for…” Con looked at Desmond.
“I agree.” Desmond shrugged. “It’s better if you have two people.”
“The devil.” Con looked back at Lilah. “Very well. You’re coming with me.”
CHAPTER FIVE
IT WAS A mistake to take her. Con knew it as soon as he said it. Lilah Holcutt never made anything easier. She would fuss; she would question; she would need looking after. But there was no way out of it now. Strangely, deep down it didn’t really bother him.
Con sent a footman to have one of their vehicles brought round, then walked over to Anna. Squatting down beside her, he said, “I need you to tell me everything you remember about your vision.”
Anna nodded. “I had a headache, so I was lying down. I dozed off, I think, because suddenly I woke up with a jolt. And I saw your mother and the others.”
“You saw them being taken?” He was a little surprised to see Lilah sit down beside Anna and take her hand.
Anna shook her head. “No. I didn’t realize that before. It wasn’t in London. It was in the country. There were no other houses around, but there were trees. I saw Thisbe and Olivia being pulled out of—of something. It was rather dark inside the vehicle.”
“A carriage?”
“I’m not sure. It was enclosed, but it opened in the back. It had a set of two doors, and they opened outward.” She demonstrated. “Two men were carrying the duchess and Kyria. They were very still. I wasn’t sure if they were asleep or—” Her voice caught.
“I’m sure they’re fine,” Con said soothingly. “Kyria was chloroformed. Probably Mother was, as well. The men want money for them. They wouldn’t risk killing them.”
She nodded. “Yes, you’re right. There was a third man, who had a gun aimed at Thisbe and Olivia. They were all walking somewhere.”
“Where? Could you see where they were?”
Anna shook her head. “There was a house, and I assume they were going there, but the vision ended before I could see them enter it.”
“What did it look like?”
“Two floors tall, but not a big house. Very plain. It was stone—a beige sort of color—or maybe just aged and dirty white stone. There was an outbuilding, a shed or small barn, off to one side. There was ivy growing up one wall. It—I had the impression nobody lived in the house.”
“Why?”
Anna shrugged. “I’m not sure. I… It looked untended. The smaller building was very weathered and leaned to one side. There wasn’t any garden. The ground was dirt and weeds and such.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “Oh! And there was a shutter half-off one of the downstairs windows.”
“Did you have any idea what part of the country it was in?”
“No. I’m sorry. I’m afraid this isn’t very helpful.”
“It is. Every scrap of information will help me. Was there anything more you saw? You said there were trees.”
“Yes, but not right next to the house. There was, um, a very large tree about twenty or thirty feet away. But in the distance I could see thicker trees. Like woods.” She paused, thinking. “Oh! Right next to the vehicle was a large stump, as if a big tree had been cut down in the past.”
“Good. That’s terrific, a great help.”
“I wish I could be of more use.”
“Don’t worry. This is good. I’ll be able to recognize the house.”
Con stood up and turned to Lilah, who had been watching their exchange with a baffled expression. No doubt she had decided both he and Anna belonged in an asylum. But to his surprise, Lilah said not a word.
Outside, the family’s elegant small town carriage awaited them. The coachman stood at the horses’ head, and he came toward Con now, saying, “They’re in fine fettle, sir. They’ll be