“I will sort that out. Now, I suggest you go and pack for you are going to Hillsbury House.”
He was not surprised to see her shudder. It was a lovely, roomy cottage in a beautiful area in the Lake Country. It would have nothing remotely resembling a society, however. There would be a natural beauty but his mother was not one to care for such things. She would be completely isolated from everything that had ever interested her. And he would make very sure that the guards she had were not the sort she could seduce as she had her footman.
Thinking of that big man, Brant looked around. “Where is your lover?”
“He is gone. He has no wish to leave the city.” She pulled her hand up from where it had been tucked into her skirts and pointed the pistol she had hidden there right at his heart. “Nor do I. I do not intend to waste what remains of my life in a tiny hovel in the middle of nowhere.”
“You would kill your own son to escape that fate?”
“Actually, Brant, at the moment I would kill you just for the pleasure of it.”
Olympia raced out of her bedchamber calling for Pawl. Halfway down the stairs she remembered that Pawl had gone off with Brant. It only calmed her a little for she did not think she would have had such a strong foreboding if Pawl was close at Brant’s side.
“What are you bellowing for my husband for?” said Enid as she came hurrying out of the kitchen, Thomas and the other four boys right behind her.
“I need to get to Brant,” Olympia said.
“Is something wrong?” asked Agatha as she reached Olympia’s side.
“I just know that I have to get to Brant.”
Enid stared at her for a moment and then nodded. She marched to the front door and looked across the street to Sir Orion’s home. “You are in luck. Your cousin’s carriage is still out there.” She looked at the boys. “You lot go with her.”
“What is wrong?” asked Agatha. “Is Brant in trouble?”
“Well, that is what Olympia is about to find out. Now come to the kitchen with me and we can get that hair to dry faster if you sit by the stove.”
Olympia grabbed her cloak and raced across the street. She saw the driver eye her and the boys nervously. The poor man had already had one adventure with her family. She suspected he had no great wish to have another.
“I need you to take us to Mallam House,” she said as she opened the carriage door and all five boys leapt in.
“I have just got back and rested from doing that once. I am not of a mind to do it again.”
“If you do not and Lord Fieldgate is hurt, I will hunt you down and shoot you like a dog.”
“Get in,” he said in a resigned voice.
“And you must get there as quickly as you can.”
“Of course. None of you lot seem to want to go slow.”
Olympia jumped into the carriage and sat down between Thomas and David. As the carriage began to move, she glanced out the window and saw her cousin Orion step out to gape at the sight of his carriage racing off down the street. It might have been a good idea to ask him to come along but she shrugged. It was too late now.
“Exactly why are we rushing to that place to find his lordship?” asked Abel.
“I have a feeling he will be having need of us very soon,” she replied.
“You got one of them gifts the others have?”
“Yes, although I do not often have visions. I just know that we have to get to Brant as soon as we can.”
“Then we will although I be thinking this driver will be running from the sight of us for many a month after this.”
Olympia actually laughed. “Yes, quite possibly.”
She knew the man had gotten them to Mallam House with astonishing speed but it still felt as if hours had passed. With every turn of the wheels she had feared that she would be too late. She was not sure what help he needed but the chill in her blood was too sharp to ignore.
“Thank you!” she said as she leapt from the carriage. “Stop at the Warren and tell my maid that you need to be paid.” She ignored his muttered curses and ran into the house.
Just inside the door Olympia nearly ran into a tall, thin footman. “The countess?”
“Who are you?”
“The baroness of Myrtledowns and I need to see the earl right away. I know he is with the countess.”
“Drawing room,” he said and pointed out the way to go.
Olympia allowed her instincts to direct her. She did not race up the stairs as her heart demanded but went slowly and silently. It surprised her a little at how quiet each of the boys was. Signaling them to halt when they were near the door, she crept closer. As she heard what was being said her heart hurt for Brant.
“I do not intend to waste what remains of my life in a tiny hovel in the middle of nowhere,” said Lady Mallam.
“You would kill your own son to escape that fate?”