Viscount of Vice (Lords of Scandal 4)

And she found him worthy? He couldn’t quite believe it. The village was small, with a single inn and tavern and a small barn just to its left. The driver shuffled off to attend the horses while Vice headed toward the tavern’s main door.

He glanced over at Ada. He’d told her that they’d stop for food but the truth was they should stop for the night. They had no idea which direction to travel and no chance of catching up to Crusher. But he understood her need to not abandon her family.

The innkeeper glanced at the door, his eyes narrowing as Vice approached. How odd.

“Evenin’,” the man called. “You wouldn’t be Vice, would ye?”

That made him stop. “I am.”

The man toddled over. “Mind if I ask what ye’re chasin’?”

“Mind if I ask why you’re asking?” Vice shifted Ada further behind him. How did this man know who he was?

“Dark fellow, referred to himself as Bad, said ye’d be comin’. Said ye’d look like an angel and ye’d have a redhead with ye. Left a message and a fat purse for me to deliver it to the correct man.”

Vice relaxed a bit. “I’m chasing a carriage carved with horses. How long ago did he pass through?”

The other man gave him a delighted grin. “Yer the right one.” Then he turned and started for the desk from which he pulled out a sheet of parchment. “He left about an hour ago. But he was only minutes behind the man yer lookin’ for. Bad said to tell ye he’d have her back before the night was done and that ye should wait for him here.” Then he handed Vice the sheet of paper.

Ada gasped, tugging on his arm. “Is he telling the truth? Should we really wait? Perhaps we should follow in case he needs help or he fails. What if he fails?”

Vice skimmed the contents of the hastily scrolled letter. “He won’t fail.” His shoulders relaxed further. “He’s intentionally fallen back so that Crusher thinks he’s lost Bad. That way, Bad can launch a sneak attack.” Then he handed Ada the letter.

Bad had been on them from the first moment. He’d tried to overtake the carriage but Crusher had a light and agile vehicle. He’d pretended to be wounded so that Crusher thought he’d have a chance at escape. What was more, Abernath was with them he was fairly certain, and she’d been hit by a ball of lead.

Ada gasped covering her mouth. “Oh dear. Lady Abernath’s been shot.”

“Can we have a table please, sir,” Vice asked. “And two bowls of whatever stew you’ve got in the pot.”

The innkeeper nodded, “Of course.”

“I’ll need parchment and ink as well.”

“What for?” Ada asked, holding the paper in her hands.

“I have to write to your family. They need to know what’s happening.” He grimaced. “I should have just told your father what was going on to begin with. We wouldn’t be in this mess if I had.”

“But Daring—” She started.

“Daring was trying to protect the club.” Vice dropped his cheek to the hair. “Which was a mistake all along. We should have said to hell with the club and worked harder to protect you.”

She shook her head. “Diana told me that Exile uses the profits of the club to keep his lands in Scotland from sinking under debt and his people fed. You had good reason to protect that asset.”

He looked at Ada, her soft green eyes shining back at him. They entered a private dining room and he helped her into a chair. “As usual, you are too kind.”

She shook her head. “I’m not being kind, I’m being practical. You’ve talked of selling the club but some of the men depend on it, do they not?”

She had a point. “What do I say to your family?”

“Tell them the truth. Abernath kidnapped Grace. We’re chasing after her. You intend to marry me to ensure my reputation is protected. Where are we? Abbotville?”

“Yes,” he answered as he dipped the quill in the ink. “Anything else?”

“Tell them Bad is about to rescue Grace and we’ll all,” she drew out the word all, adding emphasis, “be home very soon. Also, remind them not to involve the Bow Street Runners. At this point, our reputations are more important.”

He nodded, scratching the paper as he hastily penned the note. Once he’d finished, two bowls of steaming lamb stew arrived along with some bread, the innkeeper setting the bowls in front of them.

Ada sighed. “I am hungry.”