by Abby Ayles
“I knew once you were in the carriage with me, you would see reason. Your brother is dear to you, this I understand, but it shouldn’t impede our happiness.”
“Happiness? Heshing, you have kidnapped me! I want this coach turned around this instant!” Lady Abigail said in a full rage.
“Yesterday, you said yourself that you agreed to us being married. I am merely speeding up the process.”
“This is not how I would want it to be done. I would want my family around and happy for the marriage. I thought you understood that?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t have time to wait for that,” Heshing said with a tilt of his head.
“What does that mean?”
“You see, I have been growing a rather increasing amount of debt over the last few years. I came to London to find a wife and rectify the situation. You seemed all too happy to fill that role. Now, we are to be wed and my financial situation will be fixed. Isn’t it a bit of luck that we also find each other agreeable company?”
He spoke his words as if all of this was perfectly logical. To Lady Abigail, he would have been clearer speaking a different language.
“I don’t find you at all agreeable at this moment. You will take me home this instant!”
“My dear, I have already sent a note on, as I said, explaining to the duke where you will be. What other concern might possibly warrant you wanting to turn around? I know you are sorry to not have your family with you, but they will come around in time,” Heshing said as if he was speaking to an errant child.
“How about that I refuse to marry you! I was mistaken in thinking I know you at all. I will not marry you, Lord Heshing, and I demand you take me home at once,” Lady Abigail said, fully aware that her face was puffing with rage.
She leaned forward in her seat to catch the attention of the driver. Lord Heshing tilted to the side to block her way.
“You have two choices. You may return to London as the Countess of Heshing or be ruined. It is already well known that we are taking a carriage ride together. Not to mention the fact that many have already begun to talk about our intimate connection. If it were known that you left town with me this day in a closed carriage and returned unmarried…”
Heshing made a tisking sound as he allowed Lady Abigail’s mind to finish what his words did not.
“Then I shall risk being ruined and just hope no one saw,” Lady Abigail replied.
She was desperately hoping a fragment of the charming man she had known remained yet in the man seated across from her.
“I made sure they saw, my dear,” he said, looking down at her pitifully. "Not to mention the note I sent on to your brother.”
“I will tell him we had a misunderstanding. That I didn’t explain myself well last night and you took my words a different way.”
“Yes, but the note was in your hand,” he said while he rubbed his own hands together in front of him.
“That is not possible,” Lady Abigail said in a breathy whisper.
“It doesn’t take much to pay a woman to write a note. He will see the feminine handwriting signed with your name and assume that it is, in fact, you. It would only make sense that you, a lady full of spunk and adventure, when told by her brother that he didn’t approve of her choice, would run and marry anyway.”
“Christian will know it’s not me,” Lady Abigail said, trying to convince herself as much as Heshing.
“The point is moot,” Heshing said, growing irritated with this argument. “You are here in this carriage now. You will marry me or be ruined for the rest of your days. Is that what you want for yourself? For whispers to be spoken about the other members of your family on your account?”
Lady Abigail did waver at this. It seemed there would be no choice for her now but to marry Heshing. How could she have been so wrong about this man in front of her? At that moment, she thought of her family.
How much hurt she had caused this day, without even knowing it. She worried over the duchess who was already in a fragile state. How would her mother react when she learned that her daughter was dishonored, had run away, and was married to a dishonest man?
Her mind turned to Lord Gilchrist. He had tried so hard to put distance between Heshing and herself and she had ignored all his warnings. She couldn’t help but wonder if she would return to see his gloating face, as he was right and she was so wrong.
The thought caused her heart to sink even lower than she thought possible. Gilchrist wouldn’t even have the chance to show her how right he was, as he was sure to be already gone. It seemed the only friend she had outside her family was now gone from her.
She was alone now. She had made her choice when she made friends with Heshing. It would be her downfall. Lady Abigail, however, was not one to go down without her chin held high.
Chapter 25
The Duchess of Wintercrest read over the note her husband had handed to her for the third time. The words were easy enough to see, but the meaning behind them was harder to understand.
“I can’t believe this is true,” she finally said, releasing the note back to her husband.
She sat down in the leather chair in his office. She rubbed her swollen belly lovingly while she took steadying breaths.
“I am not sure what you don’t believe,” the duke said, taking his own chair in the cozy office. “It is in her own hand, explaining they were not going to be taking their usual turn of the park. There is nothing more that can be done. It’s clear she chose to marry him, despite our thoughts on the gentleman.”
“Abigail would never do that,” the duchess stated with conviction.
“She would if she felt she loved him,” the duke retorted.
“I agree, Abigail did have feelings for the gentleman. She also cares deeply about your opinion, Christian. She wouldn’t run away.”
“Perhaps Heshing convinced her,” the duke said with an exasperated wave of his hand.
Isabella seemed to think this over. As much as she wanted to resolve herself to this fact, she couldn’t believe it. Finally, she stood and faced her husband.
“I’m sorry, but Abigail would never do such a thing. We need to go after her,” the duchess declared.
At that very moment, she had to sit back in her seat with a sharp pain. In an instant, the duke was at her side.
“I promised I would allow Abigail to marry who she wanted. If this is her choice, I won't stop her. Besides, you are in no condition to go anywhere but to your own bed.”
“I know in my heart this isn’t what Abigail would want. Even if she cared so much for Heshing that she would marry him despite your suggestion otherwise, she wouldn’t do it this way. She wouldn’t bring this added stress upon your mother.”
Isabella looked at her husband with pleading eyes. The duchess was sure that Abigail would never take this course. If she could only help her husband see the truth of that, they could overtake the couple and stop a terrible mistake.
“If she didn’t want it, why did she go with him? Why write this note?” the duke asked, waving his hand towards the parchment on his desk.
“I don’t know, but we must go,” Isabella urged her husband.
“Whether it is to save her from a terrible mistake or be the family by her side, we must go.”
“I am afraid you cannot go anywhere. However, I do agree with you. Perhaps Abigail made the decision in haste. Someone should go. I can’t leave you in such a state.”
“Colton,” Isabella said suddenly. “Colton will go and bring her home or be the family at her side. If there is anyone I would trust, it is him.”
The Duke of Wintercrest stood and paced the room as he thought this over.
“I agree that he would be the best choice. I would say of all the others I could ask to do this task, I know he would do it swiftly. I worry about what might happen when Heshing and Gilchrist meet again.”
“I know you mean Colton’s temper,” Isabella said as she continued to soothe her round belly. “I know th
at he will be able to control himself. He may have trouble mastering his anger, but when it counts, he will do what it takes to ensure her safety.”
The duke seemed to consider this.
“My concern is if he comes upon them and Abigail is in truth set in her ways, will he allow her to do so?”
“He cares for Abigail. He would respect her choice either way. Truly, Christian, this doesn’t sit right with me. I don’t think this is what Abigail would want. Something in that letter doesn't fit with Abigail.”
“I will make a call on Gilchrist. I am sure he is still here in town. However, we also do have to worry if he will be willing.”
“He will,” Isabella said, more trying to convince herself than her husband.
The Duke of Wintercrest moved with haste as he made his way to Gilchrist’s house. Time was of the essence in these situations, and he knew they were already far behind.
"I hate to barge in on you like this,” the duke said upon being shown into Gilchrist’s office. “I have a rather urgent favor I need to ask of you.”
“Of course,” Gilchrist said, standing from his seat behind the desk and motioning for the duke to join him. “Whatever you need, Your Grace.”
“Are you leaving shortly, or will you be in town for a bit? I don’t want to interfere with your plans?” the duke asked as he did his best to sidestep around the matter.
He would need Gilchrist in his best mood. Blundering this delicate situation wouldn’t help. The duke was quite sure that Gilchrist had some feelings for Abigail and coming out and saying she had run off with a man he despised wouldn’t do.
“I don’t suppose till the end of the week. Why? What is it you need?” Gilchrist asked casually.
He made his way over to the table of spirits and poured a small glass of sherry for the both of them.
“It’s about Abigail,” the duke said with a huff.
Already he could see Gilchrist stiffening against his words.
“She might have gotten herself into a situation. I would take care of it myself, but the stress on Isabella has been too much. I fear to leave her alone in such a state.”
“I will help if I can, but I don’t see how that is possible. Lady Abigail doesn’t seem to listen to me on most matters. Very stubborn, that one.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” the duke concurred. “She left this afternoon for a ride around the park with Heshing. She does it quite often, and I don’t see any harm in it. That was until about an hour later when we received a note from Heshing’s man.”
“Well, out with it. What did it say? Is she alright? Did the rogue take her in a race and injure her?” Gilchrist was already spiraling with worry.
“No, according to the note, it was from Abigail claiming they have decided to elope.”
The room went still for a pregnant pause. Gilchrist seemed to weigh this in his head.
“It would seem you don’t believe it by way of your explanation,” Gilchrist finally said.
The duke slumped in his chair, visibly stressed from this whole matter.
“I don’t know. Isabella seems to think it might be a forgery of some sort. She believes Abigail would never do such a thing.”
“And you don't agree? You would know Lady Abigail best of all, wouldn’t you?”
The duke thought the matter through for what seemed the millionth time that day. He had gone back and forth both ways.
“Part of me knows Abigail to be a bit hasty when she makes a decision. Another part of me agrees with my wife. She knew that Isabella was delicate and that we would be returning to Wintercrest shortly because of it. There would have been no reason to do it now when it would affect Isabella so, and she would know that.”
“So, you think it is some kind of a lie then. If so, where is Lady Abigail?”
“Isabella fears that she is with Heshing somewhere and perhaps in danger. Either she meant the trip and will go through with it, or she didn’t and needs rescuing. I am not entirely sure, but my wife will find no peace until the matter is resolved before it is too late.”
“And how can I help with this?” Gilchrist asked with a weary expression.
“I can’t leave my wife, and she will only be soothed if someone overtakes the pair and determines if this is truly Abigail's wish.”
“And you want me to go after them?" Gilchrist said, pointing to his chest with a scoff.
“You are the only one the duchess trusts with the task.”
The Earl of Gilchrist seemed to think this matter over carefully. He did care for Abigail, and if the fiend had kidnapped her, he would be the first to run to her aid. But he wasn’t entirely sure he would be willing to stand by if she, in fact, had set out to marry the man.
“You know even if she doesn’t wish to marry Heshing, she will be ruined all the same.”
“I am aware. I didn’t bring it up with Isabella for fear of upsetting her more, but I know it to be true. There will be no way to overcome such a travesty for her. Perhaps she will choose to marry Heshing solely for that reason. There won't be any other suitors or trips to London for the season after this. Marrying the man could quite possibly be the only way she can salvage her reputation at this point.”
“I could give her another way,” the earl said softly.
“How so?” the duke asked, intrigued by an alternative means of saving his sister’s reputation without marriage to the foul Lord Heshing.
“I could offer her marriage to me instead. Of course, with your permission,” Gilchrist added quickly.
The duke was stunned by his offer.
“I know you had an interest in her, but truly do you think that is a wise decision?”
“I know I am grotesque to look at, but it would be the difference between horrid on the outside or horrid on the inside. I would make sure she was protected and well taken care of,” Gilchrist was spilling the words out of his mouth.
The duke gave a soft laugh, “I didn’t mean it would be an unwise decision for Abigail. She would be lucky that a substantial gentleman such as yourself would be willing to take her on after such an event. I meant for you?”
Lord Gilchrist wasn’t quite sure how marrying the beautifully enchanting Lady Abigail Grant would ever be a wrong choice for him if she would be willing to accept.
“I mean, you would be giving up your chance to find a proper match.”
“What woman would be willing to match with this,” the earl said, motioning to his face. “Giving Lady Abigail a marriage outside of Heshing is about the closest I will ever be to convincing a woman to be my wife.”
“I see far more to you than what is on the surface. You would be giving up a chance for a woman to see the same,” the duke responded.
"I enjoy Lady Abigail’s company, and sometimes the same can be said of her with me. I can’t say that I expect more than that from a lady I hope to wed.”
“Whether she needs rescuing or not, I will take on this task for you,” Gilchrist said, coming to stand before the duke. “It will take them at least two days to get to the Scottish border. Most likely he will go at a slower pace after the first night, as from that point on there will seem to be no hope in reclaiming her reputation so she will have to go through with the wedding.”
“If I journey by horseback, with luck, I may overtake them before that point,” Gilchrist added, though he highly doubted the possibility.
“Either way, would you see her home safely?” the duke asked, rising to face Gilchrist directly. “We would be greatly in your debt.”
“Of course,” the earl said before showing the duke out.
He knew there were a great many preparations to be made and in haste. If he rode his steed at breakneck speed, he would have to change it every few hours. This would give him an opportunity to check all the inns and taverns along the way.
He groaned inwardly as he thought about this. That would mean stopping every couple of hours, walking into full establishments of shocked faces and horrified looks to ask ar
ound for two interlopers.
He highly doubted anyone would give up such information without a hefty price. It wasn't only his coin bag that would suffer on this trip, but also his ego. Was he really willing to step outside the safety of the cage he had built for himself all for Lady Abigail’s sake?
Chapter 26
The Earl of Gilchrist had answered the question in his mind before he even finished asking it. He would have done anything for Lady Abigail. Try as he might to hide himself away and put as much distance as he could between them, Lady Abigail would always be tethered to his heart.
His most significant fear was making the journey only to stand witness to her marriage to the horrible Earl of Heshing. He wasn’t entirely sure if that was possible or would be the last straw to send his mind spiraling beyond recovery. It was a risk he would just have to be willing to take.
He collected any items he would need, dressed as warmly as possible, and prepared his fastest steed to begin his journey.
Though he made good time between the taverns he passed along the main road, Gilchrist lost much time with each stop he had to make. There was no way of knowing which one Heshing might stop at to rest his horses, and therefore Gilchrist had to check them all.
It became more difficult to convince the proprietors of the establishments to give up information as the night drew on. Now he was not just a beastly creature who pursued others, but one who stalked in the night.
He couldn’t risk halting his pursuit. Taking on the night was his only chance of interception.
Gilchrist’s anxiety worsened as stop after stop resulted in no answers or leads. It was entirely possible that Heshing had taken a longer but harder to track side route. If that were the case, his only chance of catching them would be right at the Scottish border.
Finally, as midnight set in, Gilchrist got his first good news. The owner of a moderately dingy inn, after a large sum of money, confirmed that a couple matching their description had in fact stopped and dined in his establishment.
