Page 77 of Foolish Bride
“Sorry to interrupt.” Markus stepped inside the room. “How is Everett?”
Slumping, Sheldon wiped his face.
Daniel said, “The doctor is still with him. He’s lost a lot of blood, in spite of the excellent field dressing that Sheldon managed before running over three miles to get help.”
“I see,” Markus said. “Then he is in God’s hands now.”
Michael glared, but Markus slapped his gloves against his hand and strode closer. “Perhaps it would be best if Sheldon and I had a chat, and you sat and took a rest, Mike.”
This was his family and his responsibility.Michael was about to tell Markus to shove off.
Middleton entered the room. “It’s been raining an hour now, Markus. Thomas has probably lost the trail.”
Markus nodded. “Yes. Therefore, we will need good intelligence before we begin. Hello, Preston, didn’t know you were in attendance.”
“Markus,” Middleton said with a nod.
Markus sat next to Sheldon on the couch. “Sheldon, why don’t you tell me what happened today.”
“I already told everything,” Sheldon whined.
“I am certain that you have, but humor me and tell it to me. It is possible that in your brother’s desire to get Lady Elinor back, he has flustered you, and some critical information has been left out.”
Markus’s gentle brand of interrogation was exactly what the situation called for. Beginning from the time Elinor caught the big fish, Sheldon told everything in great detail.
Sheldon described the carriage and the two men with Roxton. He told them about how he and Everett had been smacked hard enough to send them both sprawling before the two guards left the clearing by the river. He hadn’t had a good view of the driver since he was already moving away by the time Sheldon had emerged from the trees. Earlier accounts left out the part where Elinor admitted to the boys that she intended to marry Michael.
Middleton nodded and listened.
When Sheldon had finished, Markus patted his back. “Very good, Shel. Why don’t you go up and have a bath? Then you can go see about Everett and bring us a report.”
Sheldon jumped up and ran from the room.
Middleton rose and closed the door behind Sheldon.
“So Roxton knows that Elinor is yours,” Markus said.
Middleton flinched.
“Yes, but why would he take her and where?” It was unbearable to think of what Elinor was suffering in the hands of that worm.
“North,” Thomas dripped in the doorway. A puddle formed beneath him as the butler arrived with towels. He thanked him and entered the study. “I lost them on the north road. I think he’s headed for Scotland, but I cannot really be sure.”
“Why on earth would he go to Scotland?” Middleton asked.
“Perhaps he intends to marry Lady Elinor,” Markus said.
This was all his fault. He’d put her in danger, put them all in danger. Why hadn’t he taken that ridiculous Roxton more seriously? He had failed, and the people he loved paid for it.
“Sorry, Mike, but it would be the best way to destroy you, and I am assuming that is Roxton’s goal.” The apology didn’t help.
Middleton shook his head. “Then what? He cannot come back to town with his new wife in tow. The marriage would be annulled immediately. I do not know this Roxton, but he cannot be so stupid as to think that he can force a woman to marry him and get away with it. I think we can assume that Lady Burkenstock is not willing.”
Michael walked to the window. The rain continued to run down the glass, blurring the view. It didn’t make sense to take her to Gretna Green. Middleton was right. He would take her somewhere he thought he could stay long term. “Daniel, have you sent for James?”
“Yes. I wrote him a detailed account after we returned. I am sure he will arrive in the night. What are you thinking, Mike?”
“Write him another note and send a runner to intercept him.”
