Tenacious Trents 03 - A Reluctant Rake (37 page)

Her heart began to pound and she
frantically glanced about. Where was everyone? It wasn’t the
fashionable hour to be seen in the park but surely someone should
be here. If she screamed would the driver help? Would anyone in the
carriages stop to assist? But what if Millicent only wanted to show
her a new parasol or hat?

The incidents of Lady Rothsbury and
Angelique being injured, along with Jordan being in prison had
simply upset her nerves. Just because Millicent wanted her fiancé
for herself didn’t mean she would do harm to Audrey. Certainly she
would laugh about this in a few hours.

Slowly she reached forward and grabbed
the handle of the door.

“Isn’t it lovely?” Millicent
asked.

Audrey glanced into the carriage. She
had seen it and been inside before. “What?”

Millicent laughed.

“The table with the holders”

What was she talking about? Audrey
leaned in. Against the opposite side was a small table bolted to
the floor of the carriage and against the side. Holes were cut in
the wood top to accommodate a carafe and separate holes for
glasses.

“It makes travel so much nicer,”
Millicent continued. “I can enjoy a glass of wine, or tea if I
wish, though tea doesn’t stay warm because I tried it, and I don’t
have to worry about anything being spilled. It is wonderful for
longer trips.”

Audrey supposed it would be nice to
have such a convenience in the carriage and her pulse began to
calm. Of course Millicent wanted to show her the newest purchase or
design. Millicent always purchased the newest items and obtained
anything that was all the rage at the moment. However, Audrey
wondered at the inconvenience. By having the table in such a place
there were less seats. Of course, it was only Millicent, her
husband and one small child at the moment so it wasn’t as if she
needed all that much room. Besides, the infant probably rode with
the nursery maid in a separate carriage if they ever traveled
together.

“I designed it myself, with the help of
one of our servants. I am sure it will be all the rage once I can
show everyone.” She gave Audrey a little shove. “Go on, take a
closer look.”

Audrey glanced back one more time to
make sure Jordan hadn’t arrived. If he wasn’t here by the time
Millicent was gone she was returning home. No, she would go to his
house and demand an explanation.

What if he was sick? She had heard of
fevers developing from being in prison. What if it had come on
quickly and she had left before another note could be
delivered.

Audrey took a step back. She could look
at the inside of the carriage at a later date; she needed to check
on Jordan.

“Audrey,” Millicent whined.

The tone grated on Audrey but she said
nothing. If she went along then perhaps Millicent would be gone
soon and Audrey could go to Jordan.

She stepped inside of the plush coach
and sank down on the cushioned seats. Millicent did know how to
travel in comfort.

Millicent picked up the carafe and
poured wine into a small crystal glass. “Share a glass with me in
celebration.”

If this is what it took to get away
from her, Audrey would do what the woman asked. She placed the
crystal to her lips and sniffed then drew back. “What is
this?”

“Whisky. It is Jordan’s
favorite.”

Audrey eyed her askance. Ladies did not
drink whisky. When had Millicent developed that particular
habit?

“I won’t tell if you don’t. Have a sip,
but slowly.”

She doubted that Millicent had any idea
what Jordan preferred to drink but Audrey humored her. Besides, she
had never tasted whisky and was a bit curious.

She took a tentative sip. It was bitter
and burned on the way down her throat. “Gentlemen like this.” She
tried to hand the glass back to Millicent. Instead her friend
lifted another goblet and poured some into her own.

“It only burns the first few times, and
then it is warm and comforting.

Audrey seriously doubted the taste
would improve but she took another sip. This one wasn’t so
harsh.

“See, I told you,” Millicent said as
she lifted the crystal to her lips.

Audrey took another drink. There wasn’t
much left and as soon as it was gone she could escape this place.
She drained the glass and moved to place it on the odd little
table.

Goodness, she was dizzy all of a
sudden. Is this what happened to gentlemen when they drank? How did
they ever function and no wonder they lost at cards.

She blinked her eyes and tried to focus
on Millicent but she wouldn’t stay still, swaying from one side to
the other. Audrey closed her eyes and breathed in through her nose
and exhaled. When she opened her eyes again, Millicent was a blur
and Audrey could barely make out her features, though they appeared
to be worried.

“Audrey, are you okay?”

Millicent’s voice came from far away.
Audrey placed her hand beside her on the seat to keep from falling
over. What was wrong with her?

“Let me help you.” At least that is
what she thought Millicent was saying as she leaned forward, the
glass in her hand.

Audrey tried to focus as it came closer
and closer to her face. She tried to bring her hands up to push
Millicent away but nothing was working right. Not her vision or her
limbs. It was almost as if she were drugged. That one thought sent
panic rioting through her but before Audrey could force her limbs
to act; Millicent was pressing a goblet against her mouth, pouring
more of the whiskey in. She tried to turn away but Millicent held
her head. It was either gag and choke or swallow.

“What do you mean she is not here,”
Jordan demanded.

The maid cowered away from him. Jordan
took a steadying breath. It would do no good to scare the poor girl
but blast, he was certain Audrey would be waiting for him. At least
he hoped. She knew he was released from Newgate surely she knew he
would come here.

“All I know is she got a letter,
dressed in her riding habit and left.”

Jordan frowned. Had Mr. Slaine sent for
her? Surely she wouldn’t have left without a word to him. “May I
see the letter?”

The maid bobbed a quick curtsey and
rushed up the stairs. He had never seen a servant move so quickly.
He paced in the foyer while agitation built. He shouldn’t be
worried. There was probably a reasonable explanation as to why she
was not at home. Audrey couldn’t have changed her mind about him
again, could she? According to Clayton it was Audrey who had put
the timeline together that freed him. He owed his life to
her.

The maid returned, skipping down the
stairs, a piece of parchment in her hand. She slid to a stop before
Jordan and handed the letter to him. He hastily read it and his
blood ran cold when he read his own signature. Not that it was his
signature but whoever had penned the note had signed his name. It
wasn’t even similar to his handwriting but he doubted Audrey had
ever seen anything he had written so she wouldn’t know the
difference.

“How long ago did she
leave?”

“A few hours ago, Mr.
Trent.”

He didn’t bother with saying goodbye
but bolted out of the house, yelling directions to his driver as he
launched himself into the coach. “Please let her still be
there.”

The driver drew up at the end of Rotten
Row on High Street and Jordan jumped from the coach, rushing
forward. He came to a stop when he noticed a lone mare tied to a
post. There was nobody walking about that could lay claim to the
horse. He walked forward to investigate. The mare wore a side
saddle and had long, strong legs. This was a fine piece of
horseflesh and Audrey would not ride anything but the best. He
straightened and looked around. Audrey wasn’t anywhere to be
seen.

She had to be here somewhere. Jordan
rushed forward, checking behind bushes and trees, looking out at
the landscape for anything. His heart raced and he feared it would
beat out of his chest. Who had sent that note and what did they
plan to do with Audrey?

The other two ladies had not been
killed but they had been maimed. Though he would never love Audrey
less for a scar, it pained him to think of some monster cutting
her. He had to find her before it was too late.

Horse’s hooves galloped toward him and
Jordan turned hoping it was Audrey. Disappointment over ran him
before the panic rose again.

Acker stopped before him.

“Have you seen Miss Audrey Montgomery?”
Jordan blurted out before Acker could greet him.

The man slid from his horse. “Is
something wrong?”

Jordan didn’t wish to explain. Besides,
he didn’t know the man all that well though he was Clayton’s
closest friend. “I was supposed to meet her here. I believe that is
her horse.” He gestured to the mare tied to the post.

“When I arrived she was getting into a
carriage with Lady Lydell.”

Jordan’s heart ceased before it began
to pound more fiercely. “When was that?”

“An hour, perhaps longer.”

“Thank you,” Jordan called over his
shoulder and took off running back to the coach.

She had to be at Lady Lydell’s home and
nothing was amiss, though in his gut he knew such was not the case.
Audrey was the last woman on earth who would leave a fine horse
behind in Hyde Park for anyone to take. “Can you have the mare
delivered to Bentley? I will explain later.” Audrey’s aunt and
uncle would wonder why Acker was returning the horse and Jordan
didn’t wish to worry them yet, especially if there was no
need.

Jordan barely heard Acker call out his
agreement to do so before he slammed the door of the coach after
giving direction to the driver. Thank goodness the Lydell’s home
was not far.

Jordan pounded on the front door of the
Lydell Town home. “Please let Audrey be here and safe. Please let
it simply be panic from being stuck in Newgate,” he whispered to
the door. He knew in his gut that Audrey was not safe but until he
determined where Lady Lydell had taken her he would not rest. And,
if Audrey was injured in anyway, or worse, there would be a reason
for Newgate to become his home.

The door was opened by the family
butler and before the man could ask for a name or his card, Jordan
stepped inside. “Where is Lady Lydell,” he demanded.

The butler took a step back, clearly
affronted. “She is not at home.”

“Where is she?” Jordan bit
out.

“I am not at liberty to say.” The
butler held the door wider.

He wasn’t stepping one foot out of the
house until he knew where Lady Lydell had gone. “Where is
Lydell?”

“He does not wish to be
disturbed.”

“I don’t care,” Jordan yelled. “Either
disturb him or tell me where he is.”

“What is the matter, Trent?”

He turned to find Lydell standing at
the top of the stairs, a glass in his hand of what appeared to be
brandy. “Where is your wife?”

A frown formed on the man’s features.
“She has gone to the country for a few days.”

“Bath? Your estate?”