Page 98 of A Torn Allegiance
“Exactly what it sounds like. When a couple does not wish to follow traditional or legal protocol in England, they cross the border into Scotland and can be married how they wish, which, from what I understand, involves a blacksmith.”
His chest tightened again. Was this the roughshod wedding Elsie had said half in jest that she had always secretly desired? The irony that he had rushed to Scotland without her was not lost on him. The next few beats of his heart labored through him but then calmed again. And he eased into the main part of the inn searching to break his fast, suspecting he might never feel normal again.
They ate in a crowded dining room, Hayes watching every face, looking for a glimpse of Lamoreaux. If they didn’t catch him at an inn, how on earth would they find the man in all of Scotland? With any luck, Lamoreaux’s group would stick close to Everly, but they really had no way of knowing where the man would end up, and that concerned Hayes.
By the time he and his brothers were finished eating, the carriage was ready. On their way out to it, movement by the stables caught Hayes’s eye. Someone was trading out horses. A sharp whip and the whinny of a horse made him grimace.
“No need to abuse the horses,” Marc grumbled.
Hayes nodded and turned away. “Let us be off.”
Kristoff gripped his shoulder. “We’ll find him.”
“I’m counting on it. And then we set our sights for the open water. I long for home.” Hayes rubbed his chest. The pain had eased again. He hoped he was past the worst of it, but the tightening that happened whenever he thought of Elsie was something different altogether, and he didn’t think he was past the worst of that sort of pain, nor would he be for a long time.
Another carriage, of the brightest blue, waited just outside the inn on the road heading north. Impatient to be on his way, Hayes hoped they were within moments of departing. But a footman left the equipage and headed inside. Hayes groaned because his own carriage wouldn’t be able to move until the other did. He stood on the folding step, hesitating in the fresh air and sunlight before they began another long day inside the rocking conveyance.
A loud whip distracted him again, and a shiny black carriage raced out from the stable area, going way faster than Hayes would have recommended in the small court in front of the inn. Black paint glinting in the sun, the coach tore across the court. With whips and shouts, the coachman pushed his horses out toward the main road, cut off the blue carriage, and pulled in front of them all on the wide-open road going north.
What the devil? A face in the window of the dark carriage peered up into the sun as the darker conveyance raced recklessly past them and onto the road in front of the first carriage.
“Brothers.” They stood a short distance from Hayes, conversing. He squinted. If his eyes weren’t deceiving him in the bright morning light, that man was Lamoreaux. He could hardly believe it. “Brothers!” he shouted.
Marc’s gaze sharpened to follow where Hayes pointed. “Get in! That was him!” Marc approached at a run, shoving at Hayes’s back.
Hayes scrambled up the remaining step into the carriage. “Are you certain?”
“Not entirely,” Marc said as he entered their carriage behind Hayes.
Hayes threw open the window, determined to keep the black carriage in his view, but the blue carriage still had not moved, blocking their ability to get any closer to Lamoreaux. “Blast that carriage!”
As if in answer to Hayes’s exclamation, the blue carriage’s coachman shouted something toward the stables, his horses started moving, and the footman came running from inside the inn, reaching the carriage just in time to jump onto the back.
“Excellent.” Hayes clapped his hands.
Kristoff joined them inside their own equipage. He’d barely taken a seat when they lurched forward after the others. Hayes couldn’t believe their good fortune.
“You saw Lamoreaux?” Kristoff poked his head out the window to try to see for himself.
“I saw a face. I don’t know if it was him or only my wish that it be him. But we are headed the same direction either way. Since we have had no other leads, it is worth discovering for certain.”
“God willing it’s him.” Kristoff leaned back in their carriage.
“What did you discover during our stay there?” Hayes hadn’t yet had a report from Marc.
“The innkeeper said nothing beyond what you already know from your valet. I suppose Lamoreaux could have been clumped in with a group of Englishmen. There were two of those. And an unmarried lady and a gentleman and their servants. But I doubt that is his party.”
Hayes agreed. “All we can do is wait and keep a sharp eye on that carriage.”
They journeyed most of that day, every now and then catching glimpses of both carriages in front of their odd caravan. All three were still going at swift speeds, and Hayes was again grateful for Bartholomew and the use of his carriage. He was a fine man in all regards. “Did we catch a crest on either carriage?”
Marc shook his head. “Every carriage was inspected last night. None were recognized. Those two had no crest at all.” He indicated the carriages they pursued.
“Perhaps not of the peerage, then?”
“Perhaps.” Marc shrugged.
They were nearing Scotland, or they might possibly have already crossed into the country by now. “Elsie spoke so often of Scotland. Her whole family did, so much so that I feel I know the place.” A dwelling every now and then became visible. The land turned rockier and greener, which surprised Hayes. He’d been expecting a barren view. But instead of comforting him, the stark beauty of the land reminded him more of Elsie.
