Date With a Regency Rake--3 Book Box Set by Anne Herries

Author:Anne Herries [Kaye, Marguerite; Herries, Anne; Lethbridge, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781460890950
Publisher: Mills & Boon Special Release
Published: 2013-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

‘George, a moment if you please!’ Freddie hailed his friend as he saw him leaving the premises of a gentleman’s hat shop in Brook Street. He ran across the road, dodging between the traffic to catch him. ‘How is Julia today? I trust she took no harm yesterday?’

‘No, no, I do not think it,’ George said with a little frown. ‘She was merely distressed. It was a shocking thing to happen. You do not know any more concerning the incident, I suppose?’

‘I have made further inquiries and it is quite certain that the rope had been tampered with, as we suspected. It must have happened under our noses, for Jackson swears that it was sound when he began to set up the balloon and I trust him completely. However, with so many people milling around before the flight, it might have been anyone. I do not imagine we shall discover the culprit, for we have nothing to go on. It was fortunate that things were no worse. Despite her denials, I am sure that Caroline was much shaken, and bruised, and Tom must think himself lucky he is no worse.’

‘Miss Holbrook was very brave and acted with calm good sense. But why should anyone want to hurt her—or her brother, for that matter?’ George looked puzzled.

‘I have no idea,’ Freddie said with a frown. ‘However, I intend to make inquiries into this affair. It will not stop here.’

‘No, it cannot,’ George agreed. ‘I don’t suppose it was aimed at someone else…?’ He lifted his brows.

‘Exactly,’ Freddie said. ‘I was meant to be in that balloon with Miss Holbrook.’

‘Then you think it may have been aimed at you?’ George was shocked and stared at him incredulously. ‘Although she could easily have been killed—both of you might have died, to say nothing of Jackson. If that is the case, you have a dangerous enemy, Freddie. He is ruthless and cares not who he harms.’

‘Yes, unless it was merely a malicious act from a mindless idiot who did not understand what he did.’

‘You think it might be simply that?’ George raised his brows. ‘But why would anyone do such a thing?’

‘At this moment I have no idea, but I intend to discover the truth. We want no more accidents, George. I shall set an agent to work to discover what he may and I think I may take a trip out of town myself.’

‘Were you thinking of going immediately?’

‘Why do you ask?’ Freddie saw something in his friend’s eyes. ‘Spit it out, man. It clearly bothers you.’

‘There are some spiteful rumours circulating, Freddie—about Miss Holbrook…’

‘You mean because of that business with the balloon, I suppose? I know it was a little bold of her, but surely nothing that could cause her to be censured?’

‘That and other things…’ George frowned. ‘Apparently, she was seen alone at the inn, coming from the bedchamber. Obviously, she had been with her brother, so that may be set to rights easily enough, but it seems that she was also seen leaving an inn early one morning quite recently… with you.

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