Page 39 of A Lady's Past
Preston put a hand on his shoulder. “Not yet, my friend. If you storm in, you could get the ladies harmed or worse.”
“I can’t sit around and do nothing.”
With a nod, Alex stood. “How many men have you gathered, Lord Rupert?”
“Twenty, with the Bow Street men, and I’ve just sent a note to another friend to see if he might spare a few more. The Everton footmen are all well trained and have military backgrounds as batmen or the like. They might not be gentlemen, but they’re good men.” Rupert rounded the desk and opened the door. Bertram and seven other footmen stood waiting in the hallway.
Alex said, “We will watch all roads out of the port. Also, we must make sure they are not already on a ship. Can the Everton footmen handle searching the boats and ships in port?”
Eyes bright and fists clenched, Bertram nodded. “We will make sure they’re not aboard anything on the water, if you take care they’re not carried out of London.”
“What if the captains refuse to be searched?” Jane asked.
Bertram smiled. “Not to worry, my lady. I have a few friends in the Royal Navy who will help.”
“Very good.” Alex paced. “They will have to come out of hiding eventually. If they’re not already on a ship, we’ll find them and get the ladies back.”
“If they are on a ship, I’ll find them,” Bertram said.
Rupert said, “Don’t do anything foolish. If you think you’ve found them, send for help.”
“Yes, my lord.” Bertram bowed and left the room. A moment later he called orders from the foyer.
“I will send word to all of you as soon as I know something.” Alex pulled on his overcoat.
Jacques grew tired of sitting and waiting. “I will take up a position at the south end of the port. I am not waiting around for word from you or anyone.”
“I’ll take the block to the north of Jacques,” Preston said.
“It’s been a while since we had an assignment, Tom. Shall we take a block as well?” Michael asked, but it was more stating than asking.
“Of course.”
Alex shook his head. “You are the oddest group of gentlemen I’ve ever met.” He sighed. “Fine, you can each take a block. I’ll check in every few hours. I have runners who will carry messages if you see anything.”
There was no arguing that they were not the average overstuffed gentlemen. Without waiting for the others, Jacques and Preston said goodbye to Lord and Lady Everton and left the house. In the carriage, Jacques allowed the fear of losing Diana to invade his mind. “I do not know what I will do if anything has happened to her.”
“I know.”
“It was foolish to lure her out of the safety of Everton House. Foolish and selfish. I wanted to see her, and now she is gone.” He rubbed the tender bump on the back of his head and winced.
Preston whistled through his teeth. “That is a lot of blame to put upon yourself, Jacques. You wanted to see the woman who you are clearly in love with. It’s not a crime.”
Heart pounding, Jacques swallowed his denial. “I have no right to her. It is foolish to want her so desperately. Besides, I swore off love after Monique.”
“You may have sworn off, but love has a way of weaving its way back inside you when you meet the right person. Diana is smart and interesting. She will keep you alive. I can’t imagine a better match for you.”
Jacques watched Preston for any sign he was saying these things to somehow distract from the fact that Diana was missing. He found no signs of deception. “I thought you didn’t like the idea of a lady with a past.”
“I have given it some thought, and this particular lady is worth a bit of intrigue.” Preston smiled. “We’ll find her.”
The sun peeked through the clouds for the first time in days. Snow covered London in a white blanket, cleaning the filth of the city for a short time. Soon the bustle of daily life would darken the pristine mounds, but for the moment, it gleamed in the morning light. Jacques watched the city go by as they rode toward the port. “I will never forgive myself if they have taken her to France.”
“You’re not considering going back.” Panic rang in Preston’s voice.
“If she is there, I will have no choice.”
Preston sat forward and grabbed Jacques’s shoulders. “You can’t go back to France. You’ll be killed on sight or imprisoned and taken to the guillotine. Do you know what I went through to get you out last time?”
