Page 96 of A Torn Allegiance
“From what I understand, he has learned that a meeting will take place there, and he wants to get to the bottom of it before leaving for Oldenburg. He might send a servant back for his things.” His gaze held meaning. “He might not return here.”
She sucked in a breath. “Then, we too must go to Scotland. If Everly is involved, they will be going to the very neighborhood that houses my estate.”
“We?” Lady Sophie looked up at the Duke of Sumter. “Ha. Er, I cannot be running off to Scotland in present company, and your parents will never allow such a thing.” Sophie shook her head.
His Grace’s face turned a shade of dark red that, under different circumstances, would have been humorous. “I would never expect such a thing.”
“Of course not,” Sophie said.
Elsie waved her hands before they could start in on some romantic interlude. “You are correct, and I have no design in telling them. I will simply leave.” She stepped away from the chair. “If you’ll excuse me, I must talk to our servants...” Her voice trailed off. Certainly, they would all hear of her plans if she spoke to the servants, and they would ask permission of her father. Her mother would discover her, most certainly, as Elsie had Abigail pack. “Perhaps, Your Grace, I could impose upon you for a ride to take the hired coach?”
“What? You cannot! Not alone.” Lady Sophie turned to His Grace.
Elsie fell to her chair. “I must find a way. How does one travel to other parts of England alone?” Her head fell into her hands. “I cannot think at the moment. My mind just does not work.”
His Grace approached. She could see the tips of his hessians as he stood in front of her. “Did you deceive the prince and spy on him, trying to glean evidence of traitorous behavior?”
She nodded.
“And do you now love him?”
She nodded again.
“And if he never forgives you or never trusts you again?”
“I still must go to him. I cannot bear that he would leave for his country and think I do not love him. He must know that I, that all of us, learned very quickly to respect and admire him.”
He was silent for many moments, and she daren’t look up into his face.
Then he turned his boots away, and she thought their conversation finished.
She lifted her head to witness some sort of silent exchange between him and Lady Sophie. Then he said, “They have taken my finest carriage.”
Elsie’s air left in a trickle. “So they are already far advanced.”
“Well, yes, but I was going to offer perhaps my second finest?”
“You were?” She stood again. “Might I have its use?”
“I am uncertain whether I will rue the day I make this offer, but”—he swallowed—“I am willing to accompany you and a servant to Scotland after him.”
“You are?” She stood and clasped her hands in such a feeling of relief that she wished to embrace him, but she embraced Lady Sophie instead. “If they ask where I’ve gone, tell my family I’m on my way to our Scottish estate. I don’t expect anyone will be overly surprised.”
The duke nodded to them and left, presumably to see to his carriage.
“I will tell them. I wish I could go with you.” Lady Sophie frowned.
“I do too, but it wouldn’t do. I cannot continually put you in situations where your reputation is at risk. Running to Scotland with the duke without telling anyone would be the worst thing yet.”
“Or the best.” She giggled.
“Sophie, you wouldn’t.”
“I wouldn’t. See? I’m staying.”
Elsie sighed. “I wish you could come.”
“I know. Have the adventure of your life without me.”
