“Not all of it,” Eleonora admitted. “You know, Father’s very angry, though it’s not the first time that this has happened.”
“Eleonora, what do you remember?”
“It’s a long story.” She seemed hesitant, a little afraid.
“Come, sit down.” Diana patted her bed. Her sister came to her, sitting down beside her.
Eleonora told her everything. Diana sat, filling up with dread. She had been so completely wrong about her father. He was not at all the gentleman that she had always believed him to be.
“I need to go and warn Elijah,” she said. “Immediately.”
“It’s very dangerous,” Eleonora told her. “I don’t think you should go.”
“What should we do?” Diana was worried. If what her sister said was true, then they were both in grave danger.
“I think we should send someone we trust with a letter to Cambolton House,” Eleonora suggested. “Then, we wait, until Lord Cambolton replies with a plan.”
When Diana looked her sister in the eyes, she could see Eleonora there. She was, for the most part, who she had been. Though there was sadness there. A deep grief, which she might never get over.
Diana nodded, getting up. She took out a sheet of paper, her quill, and a bottle of ink. She considered what she needed to tell Elijah.
“We’ll send Mary,” she said, sitting down at her desk. “She’s the only servant that I trust.” After all, everyone else had been employed by her father. They were loyal to him.
“I will go and fetch her,” Eleonora said, then left the room. She moved as silently as a ghost. Diana didn’t even hear the door close.
She wrote a letter, quickly, telling Elijah as much as she could. In the event that Mary was intercepted, she kept it only to the task at hand—getting both Diana and Eleonora out of Lutterhall Manor. Only that her father had imprisoned her in her room, until her wedding with the Duke. That would be enough to bring Elijah thither.
Once done, she sprinkled sand over the wet ink, then waited for it to dry, heating up the sealing wax. Her hand shook a little as she worked. She had never been so frightened in her entire life. The lies and deceptions had been peeled back, revealing her father’s true face.
By the time that the ink had dried and Diana had sealed the letter, Mary and Eleonora had returned. Mary was dressed in her black maid’s uniform. Her hair had been pulled back into a low bun, with several strands of loose hair framing her face.
“This is going to be dangerous,” Diana warned her.
“I know, My Lady. Lady Eleonora told me everything,” she replied staunchly. “I’ll ride straight to Cambolton House, through the woods. Nothing to it. Besides, you can’t stay here, My Lady.”
“Thank you, Mary.” Diana held out the letter, which Mary accepted, slipping it into one of the pockets in her gown.
“You’re welcome, My Lady,” Mary replied. Diana’s throat tightened. In the space of only a few weeks, Diana had become very close to her lady’s maid. She was trusting Mary with her life—a charge that the maid was proving worthy of.
“You’re very dear to me, Mary. Please take care.”
“I will, My Lady. I’ll see you when you get to Cambolton House.”
“We have to get moving,” Eleonora urged. “We need Mary to be long gone by the time that his lordship is up.”
Together, the two sisters and the lady’s maid snuck from the house. They moved as silently as shadows, down the hall, behind the walls. Then, through the yard, which was gray in the early morning light. No one was about. None of them needed candles. They were so used to sneaking out of Lutterhall Manor, that they knew every bump along the way, every step that creaked, and every loose floorboard.
When they arrived in the barn, Diana brought her own horse out of her stall. Eleonora slipped the bridle on Delilah. They were both moving quickly. There was no time to waste.
“I can’t take My Lady’s horse,” Mary hissed, scandalized.
“Delilah is faster, Mary,” Diana assured her. “I want you to make it through the woods as quick as you can.”
Mary nodded, though she looked doubtful.
“You’ll have to go without a saddle,” Diana whispered, recalling how she’d dropped it a few days prior. “None of us can lift it up onto her back.” There was no hauling the heavy, unwieldy sidesaddle up in the darkness.
“I can manage, My Lady. I rode bareback more often than not when I was a child. I grew up on a farm, you know.” Diana hadn’t known. Though she was glad that it was the case. She studied Mary. It was clear that Mary was steeling herself for the ride through the still darkened woods, alone.
“All right,” Diana said, holding Delilah’s bridle.
Mary used the mounting block to get up and onto the horse. She visibly relaxed as soon as she was settled. She checked her pocket for the letter, patting it with her hand.
“Good luck, Mary,” Eleonora said.
“Thank you, My Lady.”
“We’ll see you soon,” Diana promised, giving Mary’s hand a squeeze, then handing her the reins. In that moment, she tried to give Mary all of the courage that she herself contained.
Without another word, Mary pressed her heels to Delilah’s sides. The horse sprang off, into a canter as she headed for the woods. The two sisters watched as Mary disappeared into the dark trees. Silently, Diana and Eleonora turned back toward the house.
Chapter 34
Elijah was awake, late into the night. He couldn’t sleep due to extreme agitation. He was worried about Diana. He couldn’t think of a thing to do except to march up the door of Lutterhall Manor, and to demand to see her.
He hadn’t eaten, either. Hours before, he had poured himself a brandy, which he had forgotten about on the coffee table. Elijah was pacing, back and forth. He needed a plan, and someone to help him.
If only Lord Forstall and Lord and Lady Albany were all there, but he couldn’t wait until they returned. It was the only way—to surround himself with friends, then go and force Lord Lutterhall to show them that Lady Diana was well. Then, he would demand for her hand in marriage.
I won’t leave without her. Already, I’ve taken far too long.
Elijah was planning to wait until first light, before going himself. Without anyone to come and back him, he felt very much alone. He heard the sound of hooves, in the drive.
At this hour? Who could that be?
He ran downstairs in the darkness. When he threw open the door, he saw Diana’s lady’s maid, as she was pulling Delilah to a halt in front of the house.
Relieved to see her, he hurried down the steps to meet her. Mary slid down off of the horse, her boots crunching in the gravel drive.
“Mary,” he said. “Where’s Lady Diana?”
Mary reached into her pocket, then she pulled out a letter. “I was sent to bring you this, My Lord.” She held it out to him.
Elijah accepted it, seeing his name scrawled across the front in Diana’s neat hand. When he glanced toward the stables, the groom was walking toward them.
Elijah took the reins from Diana’s maid, handing the mare over to the groom. Then, he turned back to Mary. She stood in the drive, looking very nervous.
“My Lord,” she said. “If you don’t want them to come, then I’m to bring word immediately.”
“Them?”
“Both ladies, My Lord.”
“Come inside,” he said. “I’ll have some tea brought for you, while I read this letter. Then, you can tell me what you know. After that, we’ll decide what to do.”
“My Lady’s in trouble, My Lord,” Mary told him anxiously. “We’ll need to come up with a plan and quick.”
“We’ll do just that,” he promised her. “Come.”
He led the lady’s maid into the house. Hanby had heard the commotion. He had come into the foyer, in a maroon dressing gown and matching slippers.
“Can I bring you anything, My Lord?” he asked sleepily.
“Bring us some tea,” E
lijah ordered. He was concerned by how exhausted Mary seemed. No doubt, it was from the ride alone through the woods, combined with fear for Diana.
“Very good, My Lord.”
Elijah led Mary up the stairs and into the parlor. She sank down onto the settee. Elijah was worried for her—she looked very pale. Hanby brought in some tea.
Elijah sat down, breaking the seal on the letter. While Mary poured herself a cup of tea and ate a scone, he read the letter twice through.
Dear Elijah,
For the past few days, my father has kept me locked in my room. He caught me when I was escaping to come to you, so that we could elope. He says that I will remain under lock and key until my wedding with the Duke.
There is more than I cannot impart in this missive. Suffice it to say, it’s dangerous. Far more dangerous than we suspected.
Eleonora and I will both be packed and ready to go north with you. I believe that we should stop and do as we planned. We figure that the best time to escape will be when my father leaves for his usual visit with his solicitor. Hopefully, there will be a chance, later today. He’s to go out at twelve of the clock. If Eleonora and I are not there by two, then something’s wrong.
If you do not want me to come, send word with Mary and I will remain here, though I do not believe it to be wise.
Please, darling, be ready to go.
All my love,
Diana
When he finished reading, he looked over at the lady’s maid. She was waiting for him to respond.
“We’ll prepare the carriage,” he told her. “We’ll give them the chance to come here. If you’d like, I can have a room made up for you, if you need to get some rest. We’re going to have a long journey before us.”
“I need to go back, My Lord,” she said, setting down her teacup. “To help them escape.”
Elijah smiled. Diana was lucky that her maid was so loyal to her. He was wondering what it was that Diana had been unable to impart to him in her letter. It was clear that she was concerned that her lady’s maid would be intercepted on the journey between Lutterhall and Cambolton.
“I won’t put you at any more risk,” he said. “You’ve already ridden through the woods, alone and in the dark.”
Mary sighed. “I can’t just sit here, My Lord. Not when there’s so much to be done.”
“Unfortunately, that’s what we’re going to do. If you return, then I imagine that Lord Lutterhall will want to question you about where you’ve been.”
At the mention of Lord Lutterhall, Mary shuddered. She didn’t contradict him. Elijah could tell that having something to do would help her to relax while they waited.
“How about I send you downstairs, to help my housekeeper prepare provisions for our journey? I’m sure that you’ll know what Lady Diana likes best.”
“I can do that, My Lord.” Mary nodded.
“I’ll send one of my own servants to deliver a message, telling them to come. Who can be trusted at Lutterhall Manor, to receive a message?”
“The groom has always been very helpful, My Lord. Perhaps, if your messenger brings it to him.”
“What if it’s sent to Lady Eleonora?” he suggested, streamlining the plan.
“It might work, My Lord. My Lady is being kept under lock and key.”
“Let’s do that, then,” he said. “I’ll use my footman.”
Mary still looked worried, but she nodded. “You know best, My Lord.”
Elijah sighed. “I wish that I could agree with you, Mary. I don’t feel that I know everything in this situation.” Elijah felt unprepared for this. He had been educated in politics, mathematics, Latin and French, literature. He was woefully inept at fencing. He had never been taught how to rescue a lady from her own father.
“Nor do I, My Lord,” Mary murmured mournfully.
* * *
Diana and Eleonora had returned to the house to wait. There was nothing to be done. Not until their father had gone, or Elijah had sent word not to come. Though, Diana knew he would never send Mary back.
He wants me to come. He’ll be waiting at Cambolton, with the carriage ready.
The thought of him, waiting for her to show up at Cambolton House, ready to take her to Warwickshire to get married was a pleasant one. It prepared her for what she needed to do in the hours ahead.
Both sisters moved along the servants’ corridor quietly. They could hear the sounds of the household, just waking up. Once inside, Eleonora walked with Diana to her room.
“They won’t notice that Mary’s gone for a while yet,” she whispered. “In the event that they do, you should be locked in your room.”
“Agreed.” Diana hugged her sister, tightly. Eleonora tensed, then slowly relaxed, hugging her back.
“Good luck, Diana.”
“I love you,” Diana said as she let go. “You’re my sister, and I love you.”
Eleonora nodded, tears in her eyes. When she spoke, her voice wavered. “I’ll return as soon as he leaves.” When Diana nodded, Eleonora closed the door softly, turning the key in the lock. Diana stood there, listening for her footsteps. Eleonora moved so quietly that she heard nothing.
Now alone, Diana knew that there was much to be done. She began to pack a bag with a few gowns, some petticoats. She dressed herself in her riding habit, since she could do so without any assistance. She pinned up her hair in a low bun against her neck.
Without Mary’s assistance, there was nothing further that she could do.
The door to her room opened, and her father stepped inside. His eyes took in everything—the cloth bag, filled with clothes, Diana’s riding habit and haphazard bun. She knew that she had just been caught, like a rat in a trap. She stood up, facing him with as much courage as she could quickly muster.
He didn’t even blink, regarding her coolly. His lips were a stern line. His hands were behind his back. It was over. She’d been caught. She was disappointed in herself, for not realizing that he might come to check on her.
“I came to inform you that it appears that your lady’s maid has disappeared,” he said. “It seems to be a problem that we’ve been having a lot lately.”
“Mary? Really?” Diana tried to sound surprised, but even she could hear the fear in her own voice.
“Where do you think you’re going, Diana?” he asked, gesturing toward her bag.
“Nowhere.”
“You’re going to see Lord Cambolton, aren’t you?” His face was unreadable. He waited for her to answer. She said nothing, just raised her chin in defiance. She stared him down, daring him to punish her. She would persevere. Because no matter what he said, what she wanted mattered. She would fight to be with Elijah. Besides, she knew his secret.
Anger seared through her. Something inside of her snapped.
“You can’t keep me here, locked up like a prisoner,” she snapped. “Someone’s going to find out, and then you’ll be sorry.” She grabbed her bag, then attempted to move past him and into the hallway. He grabbed her by the arm, twisting it. She gritted her teeth, not giving him the satisfaction of hearing that he’d caused her pain.
“Enough is enough,” he growled, leaning in toward her. “You and I are going to London.”
“You can’t make me.” She gritted her teeth. There was no way that she was going to London. She had other plans. Elijah was waiting. They were going to get married.
“The Earl of Morrow is throwing a ball,” he replied. “Think of it as your engagement party.”
“I’m not going.” She attempted to pull away from him, but he held on to her tightly. It was only then that she truly began to panic.
“Not to worry. I’ll have Mrs. Donovan pack a trunk for you.” He twisted her arm, harder this time, until she hissed. He walked her down the stairs, then toward the front door. This was not how things were supposed to go. He was holding her in a grip like iron.
This was not the gentle, caring father that she had always known. This was someone else. Someone who refused to be di
sobeyed. She had to think fast.
“Can I say goodbye to my sister?” she asked, desperate to get away from him, if only for a moment. If he left them alone, then maybe they could come up with something.
“You may as well,” he said. “You might be getting married before I leave London. You may never see her again.”
Her stomach did a nauseating flip. She kept her face composed, though inside, she was terrified. She knew what he was capable of. Terror at the thought of riding to London, to be forced into marrying the Duke of Morrow, which was suddenly looking like a very real danger. He didn’t know that Eleonora was in full control of her capabilities. She was Diana’s only chance.
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