Forsaking the Prize (The Wild Randalls 2)

“Nothing good I’m sure.” Blythe rubbed her hands together. “Do you recognize the building or surroundings?”

“No, not at all. You?”

She shook her head. The house was completely unfamiliar to her and she knew many in the immediate area. “What of this last painting? There are quite a number of horses in it.”

Tobias raked his fingers through his hair and then he barked out a laugh. “I think I can guess why that particular painting hangs there.”

“What? Why?”

His gaze grew shuttered. “I would tell you, but I don’t think you will want to hear the explanation. Suffice to say it is another bit of family scandal. The fellow is well and healthy. Will you trust me on this and not ask questions?”

She eyed him warily. So far he had not steered her wrong on matters she shouldn’t know details of. Perhaps it was time to accept what he said at face value and trust him. It might save time. She nodded. “I think Skepington should be investigated. I’m going to order my carriage prepared.” She pointed at the picture. “If I leave now I should be able to reach the village before nightfall. I’ll take lodgings and approach Lord Merrow for a tour of the place tomorrow morning. It wouldn’t be an unreasonable request given the length of our acquaintance. He’s a nice man and his wife is a friend. If he refuses, I’ll appeal to his wife. I am confident Lady Merrow will sympathize with my request.”

“I cannot let you travel the distance alone.”

She touched his arm. “Be reasonable. I’ll be in the chaise for hours. Remember how badly your last carriage ride went and that was a fraction of the distance. I’ll tell Mercy I need to return to Walden Hall overnight and continue on to Skepington. You cannot undertake the journey with me. Think of the gossip if we are seen together so far from Romsey. If Oliver is there, as I hope he is, I will convince Lord Merrow to release him to my care. I’ll return before you know it.”

Tobias took a deep breath. “I’ll manage your small carriage. It’s open to the air enough that I can set my fears aside for one day.”

Stubborn man. He’d be a wreck after the first mile. “Two days in a carriage, Tobias. There and back. You’ll never survive it.”

He took a pace away. “If there is gossip I will, of course, ensure your reputation is restored, but like it or not I am coming with you. I’ll be waiting for you at the entrance to Romsey Abbey, at the pond. Make sure you collect a blanket or two to keep you warm. It looks cold outside.”

He spun on his heel, returned the chair to its original place against the wall, and stalked off before she could call him back.

Blythe’s heart thudded painfully, but she wouldn’t turn aside from her decision. This small hope was the first lead in the search for the remaining Randall siblings. She couldn’t leave a sane man adrift in a sea of insanity if she could save him. She just couldn’t.

Twenty Four

Lights from the township of Whitsbury glimmered in the distance and Tobias nudged the woman dozing beside him. “We’re nearing a village, B.”

She sat up quickly, ran her hands over her hair and gown, and then rubbed them together. “It’s grown so cold in the last hour.”

The temperature had dropped considerably since they had left Romsey and although this was the first time she’d mentioned the cold, it was not the first time Tobias had thought of Blythe’s possible discomfort. He’d considered removing his coat two miles back and covering her sleeping form with it. To stop, however, might have awakened her unnecessarily. The long journey had wearied her miles ago. “I’ll have you warmed soon enough. Which building is the inn?”

“The first one, I believe.”

He tooled the chaise into the small coaching yard and drew back on the reins. A young boy ran out from the stables and caught the bridle as he climbed down. “He looks done in, sir.”

Tobias stretched the kinks from his back. “He’s served us well. See that he receives extra attention tonight. We’ll have need of him first thing in the morning.”

The boy patted the drooping horse’s neck. “Yes, sir.”

Tobias looked about him. The coaching house yard was neat and well kept. The stables appeared clean and well tended. He glanced up at the building. A handsome woman lingered at the window. A maid? Her smile grew and she crooked her fingers at him, inviting him for what he assumed would be a pleasant interlude. He grinned.

“Tobias,” Blythe said from the carriage seat. “Please don’t keep me w

aiting.”

Tobias winced. He tossed the boy a coin and then held out his hand. He lifted Blythe from the carriage easily and for a moment she held onto him. The woman in the window didn’t compare to the woman he held and he leaned closer to inhale her scent. “Forgive my tardiness.”

Her gaze darted to the upper window where the woman stood. “I’ll leave you to your own devices, shall I?” Her lips pressed together.

Tobias frowned at her comment. He wasn’t going to abandon her at a place like this. “My dear lady, I came with you to protect you and I’ll stay with you, never fear.”

“Stay with me?” She clenched her hands together. “And how will it look to others? You’ve been calling on Miss Trimble. She will not be happy about your decision to accompany me. I should have driven on without you.”

“Miss Trimble may be stubborn, but I’ll not let her opinion sway me from doing the right thing.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “She’s determined to think ill of you.”