“Fortunately for you, I neither need, nor have time for, an explanation—”
Asquith sighed in relief.
“—at present,” she added, with a menacing glance. She’d truly thought Asquith secretly cared for her sister! But confronting him would have to wait. “Neville has gone missing. Abducted, I believe. I’m going after him.”
“Devil you are!” Asquith replied. “What makes you think you can ride off willy-nilly in an attempt at a rescue?”
“I’m not riding offwilly-nilly,” Millie replied curtly. “I’m on my way to solicit the help of a Bow Street Runner Neville hired.”And then she was going to attempt a rescue.
“If all you need to do is send a message to Bow Street, why attempt to steal my horse?”
“Borrow, not steal,” Millie corrected. “And the Runner isn’tinLondon. Mr. Dixon is staying a few miles outside Brighton. Or at least that’s what Gerard believes.”
“Gerard? Neville’s valet?”
Millie nodded.
“I think you had better explain,” Asquith replied.
She wasn’t sure how much Neville had told anyone about John, so she kept things simple. “Neville learned about disreputable parties being held at a hunting lodge, a lodge I believe belongs to Willard’s family.” She patted her greatcoat pocket. “I have the address here.”
Asquith’s face darkened. “If Willard is involved, Neville wouldn’t want you anywhere near him.” He held out his hand. “I’ll go. Give me the address.”
Another squeak sounded from the stairs.
“You can come if you wish, though it sounds like your ladybird objects. But”—she increased her volume to cover his protestation—“if you think I’m going to stay behind, you’re mad.”
“Notmy ladybird,” Asquith said under his breath.
“Right now, Neville is all that matters,” Mille replied.
“Right.” Asquith frowned. “You said Dixon was somewhere outside Brighton. Even forgoing a carriage, the ride there will take hours.”
“Five, if I’m lucky.”
“You’re not going.”
“Why shouldn’t I be the one? I can outride you any day—”
“Devil you can!”
“—And I’m a better shot.”
Millie heard a feminine gasp from the top of the stairs.
“If needed,” Millie added. Murder was not on herpreferredplan. Or at least that’s what she wanted that stranger to think!
“Asquith,” she kept her tone reasonable, “you can keep me from borrowing your horse, but you cannot stop me from renting one.”
“I can march you straight into my mother.”
“And I can tell her you’ve been cavorting with staff in the stables!”
Asquith glanced over his shoulder. “What is it with you Wainwrights and blackmail?”
Millie frowned. “What do you mean?”
Asquith buried his fingers in his hair, scowling furiously. He looked as if he were one step away from implosion, and Millie didn’t think she was the only cause.