What the Duke Wants(59)

“I kissed her quite senseless.” He was seriously wondering if it could get worse.

“Men!” Lady Southridge threw her hands up in the air and walked a few steps away, then paused.

“Berty, dear, this isn’t the time,” she spoke softly to the young girl, her tone kind.

“Your grace, I heard something and Bethanny said I should tell you.”

“Oh? What did you hear Berty?” Charles tried to calm himself and pay attention to the little sprite of a girl.

“I followed Miss Lottie, but she didn’t see me. Just as her and that wretched man who took her away were about to walk outside, he said… well… it sounded like a viscount was meeting them at her home, to marry her.” Berty glanced down, her eyes brimming with tears. “She’ll never come back, will she your grace?” Berty burst into a sob, throwing herself at Lady Southridge’s legs and burying her face in her skirts.

“There, there child. I’m sure she’ll be back. She never said anything to me—”

“Why in the hell would she tell you?” Charles spoke darkly. Of course, things could get worse, why had he even asked?

“Because, I don’t know. I—Berty? Did you happen to hear the viscount’s name?” Lady Southridge asked as she smoothed her hair away from her cherub-like face.

“Banby? Darby? Something like that,” Berty replied, her words muffled by the skirts.

“Darby?” he asked. Recalling the man associated with the title, Charles felt his blood run cold. Darby was from an old titled family, had more than enough wealth, a sterling reputation and was all around respectable. The blasted man was even decent to look at, or so he was told. In all truth, he was perfect for Carlotta.

More honestly, he was everything that Charles was not, at least in the character department. Oh, he knew he had enough wealth and his title alone would recommend him, but character? He was severely lacking, that and self-control, and the ability to ask the woman he loved to marry him.

Yes, that sin was at the top of his list right now.

“Thank you, Berty. Can you please tell your sisters I’d like to speak with them?” Berty glanced up with shining eyes.

“Yes, Lady Southridge.” She scampered off to find her sisters and Charles watched her, his soul completely hopeless.

Just last night he was on top of the world, he didn’t even sleep but left at first light to secure a special license so that he could marry her before she had a chance to escape.

Apparently, she had a chance to escape and took it.

“This is an unforeseen road block.” Lady Southridge tapped her chin.

“Road block? This is a bloody massacre.”

“It’s not as if she’s married Darby already.”

“But she should.”

“What?”

“She should. He’d be perfect for her.”

“But—”

“But I’m not… perfect for her. I can’t even remember to say I love you when it’s needed most. I fail at simple communication.”

“But you feel it?”

“Like Zeus’ lightning bolts every time I see her.”

“Then why give up?”

“I—

“Your grace?” Bethanny asked, her soft voice tentative as she approached with her sisters.

“Yes, Bethanny.” He sighed, numb.

She glanced to her sister, Beatrix, then turned back to him, her eyes wide. “You have to go after her, your grace. I… I think she might be in danger.”

“Danger?” Charles echoed; he fought between fear and disbelief. Mr. Burrows was anything but dangerous. “How so?”

“She was quite distressed, she was… crying.”

“Crying?” he asked, his eyes widening.”

“Yes.” Bethanny nodded vigorously. “She was sobbing really, and that man, Mr. Burrows? He said something about her being too attached to us and… I’m not sure but it looked like he forced her into the carriage.”

“He did what?” Charles felt his blood boil. Could it be? Was there perhaps hope? Not that he wanted her forcibly taken from his home, but maybe she didn’t actually want to leave in the first place!

“So you see, you simply have to go after her, your grace. What if something horrible happens?” Bethanny was waving her hands about, her eyes wide with fear.

“Lady Southridge, you say here at Greenford Waters. If Car—Miss Lottie returns before I do, keep her here. Am I understood?” He leveled his most stern gaze at the woman.

“Yes, we’ll tie her up if need be.”

“I doubt that will be necessary… but if it is, do it,” Charles amended.

“Tibbs! Get over here man!” he bellowed down the hall. Tibbs rushed forward. “I need my horse ready immediately!” he shouted to the frenzied butler.

“Yes, your grace.” Tibbs bowed then ran.

Ran.

“Charles, you don’t know where Garden Gate is!” Lady Southridge called after him as he rushed down the hall.

“No, but I can ask. Surely, someone in Bath will know. I’ll ask Lord Whipple’s wife, she knows everyone around these parts.”

“Very well, please… send word as soon as you know something.”