Lady Pleinsworth turned to her in shock. “Virginia?”
“I am a mother, too,” Lady Winstead said. “And if anything happens to Miss Wynter . . .” Her voice fell to a whisper. “My son will be broken.”
“You would have me trade my child for yours?”
“No!” Lady Winstead took both of her sister-in-law’s hands fiercely in her own. “I would never. You know that, Charlotte. But if we do this properly, I don’t think Frances will be in any danger.”
“No,” Lady Pleinsworth said. “No, I cannot agree. I will not risk the life of my child—”
“She won’t leave the carriage,” Daniel said. “You can come, too.”
And then . . . he saw it on her face . . . She was beginning to relent.
He took her hand. “Please, Aunt Charlotte.”
She swallowed, her throat catching on a sob. And then, finally, she nodded.
Daniel nearly sagged with relief. He had not found Anne yet, but Frances was his only hope, and if his aunt had forbidden her to accompany him to Hampstead, all would have been lost.
“There is no time to lose,” Daniel said. He turned to his aunt. “There is room for four in my landau. How fast can you have a carriage readied to follow? We will need seats for five on the return.”
“No,” his aunt said. “We will take our coach. It can seat six, but more importantly, it will support outriders. I am not allowing you to take my daughter anywhere near that madman without armed guards on the carriage.”
“As you wish,” Daniel said. He could not argue. If he had a daughter, he would be just as fiercely protective.
His aunt turned to one of the footmen who had been witness to the entire scene. “Have it brought ’round at once.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, before taking off at a run.
“Now there will be room for me,” Lady Winstead announced.
Daniel looked at his mother. “You’re coming, too?”
“My future daughter-in-law is in danger. Would you have me anywhere else?”
“Fine,” Daniel acceded, because there was little point in arguing. If it was safe enough for Frances, it was certainly safe enough for his mother. Still—
“You are not coming in,” he said sternly.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I have skills, but they do not include fighting madmen with weapons. I am sure I would only get in the way.”
As they rushed outside to wait for the carriage, however, a phaeton rounded the corner of the square at far too fast a speed. It was only due to the skill of the driver—Hugh Prentice, Daniel realized with shock—that it did not tip over.
“What the devil?” Daniel strode forward and took the reins as Hugh awkwardly got himself down.
“Your butler told me you were here,” Hugh said. “I’ve been looking for you all day.”
“He called at Winstead House earlier,” his mother said. “Before Miss Wynter left. She claimed not to know where you went.”
“What is going on?” Daniel asked Hugh. His friend, whose face was normally an emotionless mask, was pinched tight with worry.
Hugh handed him a piece of paper. “I received this.”
Daniel quickly read the missive. The handwriting was neat and tidy, with an angular masculinity to the letters. We have an enemy in common, it read, then gave instructions for how to leave a reply at a public house in Marylebone.
“Chervil,” Daniel said under his breath.
“Then you know who wrote this?” Hugh asked.
Daniel nodded. George Chervil was unlikely to know that he and Hugh were not, and never had been, enemies. But there was ample gossip that might lead one to reach that conclusion.
He quickly related the events of the day to Hugh, who glanced up at the Pleinsworth carriage as it rolled up and said, “You have room for one more.”
“It’s not necessary,” Daniel said.
“I’m coming,” Hugh stated. “I may not be able to run, but I’m a bloody good shot.”
At that, both Daniel and Marcus swiveled their heads toward him in disbelief.
“When I’m sober,” Hugh clarified, having the grace to blush. A little. Daniel doubted his cheeks knew how to do more than that.
“Which I am,” Hugh added, obviously feeling the need to make this clear.
“Get in,” Daniel said, jerking his head toward the carriage. He was surprised that Hugh hadn’t noticed—
“We’ll put Lady Frances on her mother’s lap on the way home to make room for Miss Wynter,” Hugh said.