Daring’s voice followed him out. “He isn’t guarding her. I would never agree to that.”
“Help me look,” he yelled, starting down a path. Then another. It wasn’t until he got to the gate that he noticed a piece of ribbon on the path which looked exactly like the ones that had adorned Diana’s hair.
“Anything?” Vice called, coming up behind him.
He reached down and picked up the single scrap of fabric. “I found this by the gate.” His voice was scratchy. How long had he been in the office? Mere minutes. “If he’s taken her, they can’t have gotten far.”
“Taken her?” Vice waved them off. “Sinclair would never take Diana, he’s here to help.”
Exile spun around, grabbing his friend by the collar and slamming him to the wall. He didn’t have time to be nice. “Did you approach him or did he come to ye?”
Vice’s face paled. “He came to me. But that doesn’t mean…”
“I dinnae have time to convince ye. He’s taken the woman I love. And I need her back. Where would he go?”
Vice shook free as Bad came up behind them.
“He wouldn’t,” Vice answered holding his head.
“We can debate later,” Bad replied, attempting to hold back his anger and panic. “They came out into the garden and now they are gone. Daring is having the house searched. But we are going out on horseback. Where are we going Vice? Think.”
“He’s got a small townhouse. I suppose we should start there.”
“Good,” Exile answered, drawing in what felt like the first breath in minutes. “I’ll have the horses saddled, we leave momentarily.”
It felt good to be doing something. Good to have a plan. Because he had to find her. He’d only just realized what she meant to him.
Diana sat in a carriage, the hood still over her head, her hands tied behind her back. The man was going to pay for this. She’d done her best to kick and fight, but Sin and another man had trussed her up and shoved her into a small buggy. Now she heard the clop of the horses and could feel the carriage’s wheels move as she struggled to sit up.
“Here, let me help you,” Sin said close by. Strong hands lifted her up from her position of half laying across a seat to sitting.
“Don’t touch me,” she said, though her voice was muffled. He reached for the hood and pulled it off her face.
He was close and for a brief second, she thought about spitting in his face. She settled for sneering. “Why are you doing this?”
He cringed. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“But you’re going to anyway.” Diana tested the bindings on her wrists. Neither man was good at knots apparently because the ties were neither tight nor well-knotted. They immediately began to loosen.
He held up his hands. “This would have been easier if Exile hadn’t thwarted my first attempt. Then I wouldn’t have to know you when I took you.”
Her bindings came undone but she kept her hands behind her back. Diana had already puzzled out that he was the man that had attacked them in the alley. Which meant he had a nice cut on his side. “I’m so sorry for you,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
He grimaced. “That came out wrong. Please try to understand. She’s taken my daughter.”
Diana stopped, her stomach dropping. She remembered his comments earlier about family. He’d been trying to explain. “You’re doing this to get her back.”
“I am.” He leaned forward and that’s when she saw his walking stick sitting on the seat next to him. “You seem lovely, Diana, but Anne is my child. She’s everything to me. And with her mother gone, it’s my job to see her raised and to keep her safe.”
Diana moved closer, configuring her face into one of sympathy. “I understand.”
Surprise lit his face. “You do?”
She nodded, scooting further off the bench, keeping her hands hidden. “You’d do anything for her.”
He nodded eagerly. “I thought about asking Daring or Vice for help, but I can’t risk it. What if Lady Abernath finds out and hurts—”
Diana grabbed the stick and not having time to bring it down on his head, she jabbed him hard in the left ribs where she knew he was wounded.
He made a groaning sound of pain as he slumped to the side. Quick as a snake, she took the handle and knocked him in the head. He bounced off the wooden frame with the other side of his skull, making a loud thud.
“Eh. What was that?” the driver called, pulling the horses to a stop.
Diana drew in a sharp breath as she pushed Sin to the floor. Then she braced her feet and held the cane the way a man might a rapier.
Her hands began to sweat on the wood as the seat squeaked and feet landed on the ground. “I asked, what was that?” The moment the door opened she made a sharp jab right in the man’s stomach. His eyes bulged as he doubled over clutching his middle. Without pause, she brought the cane down on the back of his head. He dropped like a stone to the ground.
Diana didn’t hesitate. She hopped out over him and then climbed in the driver’s seat. “Hey-ya,” she yelled as she picked up the reins and gave them a snap. The door was still open but she wasn’t sure she cared if Sin tumbled out. Then again, they might want to question him.
Pulling the carriage to a stop, she hopped down as her evening dress made a decided tearing noise. She sighed. She rather liked this dress. But she’d get another. Snapping the door closed, she climbed back into her seat. Now to find her way back to Daring’s estate.
Chapter Twelve
Exile climbed into the saddle of his horse, anxious to get started. “Ye said he lives off of Bow Street?” Damn, he’d hoped the man was closer.
“Yes, but…” Vice stopped, pointing down the alley. “What’s that?”
Exile squinted into the darkness. A carriage rolled toward them as the driver waved. “What the…”
He leaned forward. Was that Diana driving the carriage? His heart hammered in his chest. She was okay. More than that, she was Diana. Strong, brave, and driving a carriage through the streets of London. Exile loved that woman with his whole heart.
“Callum,” she called, waving again. “Hurry before he wakes.”
“Did she…” Bad started, his head cocking to the side.
“She did,” Exile said, a large grin spreading across his face. Pride expanded in his chest. “She rescued herself.”
Diana rolled closer just as the door to the carriage snapped open and Sin tumbled out onto the cobblestone.
The man pulled himself from the ground, stumbling as he held his side and made his way back down the alley. Baring his teeth, Exile kicked his horse and started after the man. He’d pay for what he’s done.
Sin moved faster but Exile gained on him and he raised his crop ready to strike. The man had attempted to steal his life away, the same way that thug at the tavern had taken his cousin. He wished he’d made that man pay but now he had the chance to see this wrong righted.
“Stop,” Diana shouted, holding up her hand.
He yanked the reins. “This bastard deserves a good beating.”