Georgie linked her arm with her friend’s, ready to join the carriages, when Frits and Gavin dashed into the room, both trying to get their broad shoulders through the doorway at the same time. She glanced at Adeline and doubled over in laughter.
Adeline’s hands went to her hips. “What do you think you are doing?”
“Lytton’s here.” Gavin turned sideways and entered the dining room first. He looked at Georgie. “We all forgot that we need to discuss how we’re going to deal with the men who tried to abduct you.”
Drat. So much had happened since then the event had completely gone out of her mind. And she did not want to “deal” with it. She wanted to return to Town and immerse herself in all the things she must accomplish to wed the love of her life. Staring at said love, she rubbed her forehead. “As far as I am concerned, Lytton has my permission, nay, my blessings to settle the matter without my assistance.”
The gentleman entered the room followed by her grandmother, the duchess, and Lady Littleton.
Grandmamma came straight to Georgie and wrapped fragrant arms around her. “If that is what you wish, that is what will be done.”
“No.” Gavin’s whole body was rigid with anger. “They must be punished. I’ll send for the magistrate.”
“And have the event be all around Town by tomorrow?” The duchess’s icy gaze focused on him. “I understand your anger. Indeed, I share it. But to prosecute a case would involve all the sordid details to be made public.”
He opened his mouth and closed it. Then took a deep breath. “She was never alone with any of them. I can attest to that.”
“My dear boy.” Lady Littleton gave him a compassionate look. “Of course you would say that. You are marrying her.”
He stared at her for several seconds then dropped his head foreward and clutched his hair. “And no one will believe me.”
“I am afraid that will be the case.” Her tone held a wealth of concern.
“I hadn’t thought about that.” He had never sounded so defeated, and Georgie felt sorry for him.
She wrapped her arm around his waist. “It will be all right.” She glanced at Lord Lytton. “It is in your hands. What do you propose?”
His lips flattened as he surveyed the rest of them. “I spoke with my coachman last night. His brother was the man who was injured. They and their family have served my family for generations.” His jaw moved as if it hurt from being clenched. “They know what they did was beyond the pale. In addition to that, my groom has still not regained consciousness. My coachman swore to me, and I believe him, that the original idea came from the man I hired in London to act as an outrider. That in no way excuses his actions. However, it did make sense. I cannot conceive of anything that would have made him or his brother come up with such a felonious scheme. He agreed that his pay should be docked for the next six months.” Lytton wiped his hand down over his mouth and jaw. “I will have the magistrate jail the other man until the next assize. When no other evidence is given, he will be released.”
“That will be in about two months.” Frits nodded. “The question is what will he do after that.”
“If only we knew someone with a ship,” Gavin mused quietly.
Frits started to open his mouth when Grandmamma and the duchess exchanged a glance, and Georgie knew exactly what they were thinking. “Hawksworth.”
“Well, you must admit that your sister’s husband can be extremely useful,” the duchess said.
Georgie had not wanted to be involved in this. She attributed Gavin’s revelations that he loved her to the abduction, and for that she could not be upset. However, the action could not go unpunished. On the other hand, she did think the punishments were uneven. Then again, they were his lordship’s responsibility, and he knew them better than she did. “I assume Grandmamma will write to him. Who will remain to tell the magistrate to release the man, or shall we all remain here until the matter has been resolved?”
“I shall stay.” Lytton appeared grim. “He is currently in one of Bottomley’s cellars. He may remain there until he is collected.”
“No, no.” The duchess gave her head a shake. “Give the butler instructions. I am quite frankly surprised that you managed to keep Bottomley here for so long. And you have a wedding to attend.”
Good Lord! Georgie had completely forgotten about Lytton and Lady Aurelia, and that the lady was the duchess’s niece. “Do we have an agreement?”
The gentlemen exchanged glances and nodded.
“We do,” Gavin said.
“Splendid.” A broad smile appeared on Adeline’s face. “Your grace, please feel free to use the desk in the morning room for your missive. I shall instruct a footman to take the message to Lord Hawksworth.” She glanced at the rest of them. “Is there any reason we cannot depart?” When no one answered, not even the duchess, Adeline walked to the door. “Then we shall be on our way. Creswell, please show the duchess to the morning room.”
He bowed and Georgie thought his lips twitched the slightest bit. “With pleasure, my lady.”
Once she and Adeline were settled in the traveling coach—With Lord Turley there, the older ladies decided Gavin could accompany Georgie. He and Frits had decided to ride—she finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you for extracting us so expertly.”
“I must say, that confidence seems to come from being in charge. I would never have thought to do such a thing before I married.”
Georgie thought back to what her friend had been like when they had first come out. Shy and retiring, except when her sense of justice got pricked, had described Adeline. “I think you are correct.” Georgie wondered what she would be like after a few months of marriage and the thought almost scared her. She was not and had never been shy and retiring. Then she recalled her sister and knew that whatever she did, it would be for the benefit of others. “I believe I am looking forward to married life.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Gavin was glad Frits had arranged that their party stop for a leisurely luncheon before arriving in Town. The sole purpose of the respite was to allow the senior servants to arrive before them. The inn was known to Frits and even though it was busy, the landlord found them a private parlor. The parlor was well appointed with lace curtains, a large table for dining, and three sofas.
The duchess and Lady Featherton had managed to bring Lady Aurelia with them. “Lord Lytton is following. I expect him here shortly.”
Gavin and Frits exchanged a glance. They had both promised to at least attempt to like Lytton. Still, the story Exeter had told Gavin held them back. “Perhaps we should ask him about it.”
“But not here.” Littleton glanced at the ladies. “Once we’re back in Town.”
“Of course.” Gavin looked at Georgie, who glanced up at the same moment with a resigned expression on her lovely face. “It’s a plot to keep us apart.”
His friend raised his mug of ale. “I have absolutely no doubt you are correct. You will still be allowed free access to Littleton House.”
“I’d rather she had free access to Turley House.” He knew he was grumbling. In the grand scheme of things, two weeks was not that long. Still . . . “What am I going to do for two weeks?”