Page 99 of Leap of Faith
Dominic gave a grateful nod and pulled his knees up to his face to try to displace the blindfold enough to orient himself. Sir Julian would only give him so much time.
* * *
“Where could he be?It is not at all like him to be late!” Lady Westwood fretted as they stood around the drawing room with thirty guests, waiting to go into dinner. Hartley had announced it almost half an hour ago.
“Major Stuart will be back soon, my lady,” Rotham said, trying to reassure her. Lord Westwood’s brother had decided to enquire at Berkeley Square as to what might be delaying him.
Faith was trying not to worry. There had to be a perfectly reasonable explanation. Dominic would not abandon her in such a manner and embarrass her in front of all their friends.
Hartley walked into the drawing room and whispered in Lady Westwood’s ear. Faith was standing next to her and strained to hear what he said.
“There is a man here to see you, my lady. He says he has information about his lordship. I’ve put him in the receiving room.”
“Very well, I will go to him.”
She took Faith’s arm and led her from the room. They were about to enter the receiving room when Major Stuart returned.
“He left hours ago,” he said. “His secretary said he received a note but dressed for the evening before he left.”
“Did he take his carriage?” Lady Westwood asked.
“No, he left on foot.”
“Come with us, please. Someone has just arrived, saying they have information.”
Faith was grateful Major Stuart had returned, but it did not fill her with any reassurance.
The visitor was a servant dressed in Sir Julian’s livery, who she’d seen before on her drive with him. Something was very wrong. He bowed when they entered the room. “Your ladyship, I had to come and tell you.” He fidgeted with nervousness.
“You did very right to do so. What has happened?”
“They have taken him. I was told to drive the carriage, but then he made me leave. They had your son tied up and meant him harm. I’ve never seen my master in such a taking—like he’s possessed. He’s not alone, but he sent the hired ruffians back with me, save one or two.”
“Where is he?” Major Stuart asked.
“A small farm less than ten miles from here, near Kilburn.”
“Can you take me there?”
The man looked hesitant.
“At least to the gates, man. If Sir Julian is determined on revenge, we have no time to lose,” Major Stuart said with frustration.
The driver nodded. “I want to help.”
“Let me gather some friends. We will need reinforcements.”
Faith longed to go with them, but she was too afraid to ask as Lord Rotham, Lord Montford, Lord Carew, Mr. Cunningham, and Major Stuart assembled, checked their weapons, and debated how best to go about a rescue. Some would go with the driver, and some would ride horses.
Lady Westwood left to take the remaining guests in to dine, but the tenor of the evening had grown sober. “We might as well eat since there is nothing we can do in the meantime,” she reasoned.
Faith refrained from joining them because the thought of food on top of what might be happening to Dominic could not be borne. She went to her chamber and paced up and down for a few minutes while she watched out of the window as the men readied themselves to leave.
“I cannot stay here,” she murmured. Quickly, she changed into some simple, dark clothes and made a dash down the servants’ stairs. She ordered one of the grooms to saddle a horse for her and was shocked when he did not protest. “Quickly, please!”
The others were leaving, and she feared that she would lose their trail. They were already moving down the street at a spanking pace when she came around the bend. She could barely make out the silhouettes of the riders and horses up ahead. It was a tricky business to follow along, but they were so intent on reaching Lord Westwood that hopefully they would not notice her behind them. The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, which might work to their advantage.
Thankfully, once they reached the outskirts of the city, there was an open road and she was able to keep them in her sights.
