Page 13 of His Wicked Charm

“There, you see? Think of the advantages if I go with you.” Lilah continued her list of reasons. “You’ll have another person to look for them, to question people. And—” Her face lit triumphantly. “If you find your mother and sisters and need reinforcements, you’ll have someone who can go for help while you keep watch to make sure they don’t escape.”

“Oh, for...” Con looked at Desmond.

“I agree.” Desmond shrugged. “It’s better if you have two people.”

“The devil.” Con looked back at Lilah. “Very well. You’re coming with me.”

CHAPTER FIVE

IT WAS A mistake to take her. Con knew it as soon as he said it. Lilah Holcutt never made anything easier. She would fuss; she would question; she would need looking after. But there was no way out of it now. Strangely, deep down it didn’t really bother him.

Con sent a footman to have one of their vehicles brought round, then walked over to Anna. Squatting down beside her, he said, “I need you to tell me everything you remember about your vision.”

Anna nodded. “I had a headache, so I was lying down. I dozed off, I think, because suddenly I woke up with a jolt. And I saw your mother and the others.”

“You saw them being taken?” He was a little surprised to see Lilah sit down beside Anna and take her hand.

Anna shook her head. “No. I didn’t realize that before. It wasn’t in London. It was in the country. There were no other houses around, but there were trees. I saw Thisbe and Olivia being pulled out of—of something. It was rather dark inside the vehicle.”

“A carriage?”

“I’m not sure. It was enclosed, but it opened in the back. It had a set of two doors, and they opened outward.” She demonstrated. “Two men were carrying the duchess and Kyria. They were very still. I wasn’t sure if they were asleep or—” Her voice caught.

“I’m sure they’re fine,” Con said soothingly. “Kyria was chloroformed. Probably Mother was, as well. The men want money for them. They wouldn’t risk killing them.”

She nodded. “Yes, you’re right. There was a third man, who had a gun aimed at Thisbe and Olivia. They were all walking somewhere.”

“Where? Could you see where they were?”

Anna shook her head. “There was a house, and I assume they were going there, but the vision ended before I could see them enter it.”

“What did it look like?”

“Two floors tall, but not a big house. Very plain. It was stone—a beige sort of color—or maybe just aged and dirty white stone. There was an outbuilding, a shed or small barn, off to one side. There was ivy growing up one wall. It—I had the impression nobody lived in the house.”

“Why?”

Anna shrugged. “I’m not sure. I... It looked untended. The smaller building was very weathered and leaned to one side. There wasn’t any garden. The ground was dirt and weeds and such.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “Oh! And there was a shutter half-off one of the downstairs windows.”

“Did you have any idea what part of the country it was in?”

“No. I’m sorry. I’m afraid this isn’t very helpful.”

“It is. Every scrap of information will help me. Was there anything more you saw? You said there were trees.”

“Yes, but not right next to the house. There was, um, a very large tree about twenty or thirty feet away. But in the distance I could see thicker trees. Like woods.” She paused, thinking. “Oh! Right next to the vehicle was a large stump, as if a big tree had been cut down in the past.”

“Good. That’s terrific, a great help.”

“I wish I could be of more use.”

“Don’t worry. This is good. I’ll be able to recognize the house.”

Con stood up and turned to Lilah, who had been watching their exchange with a baffled expression. No doubt she had decided both he and Anna belonged in an asylum. But to his surprise, Lilah said not a word.

Outside, the family’s elegant small town carriage awaited them. The coachman stood at the horses’ head, and he came toward Con now, saying, “They’re in fine fettle, sir. They’ll be wanting to move.”

“Don’t worry, Jenkins, I assure you I’ll take care of the team.”