Chase sat in the library that served as his office, plotting his thoughts on paper. He pretended he was writing a report in the army, and lined up the facts and evidence accordingly. Even as he did it he could see certain holes. He did not anticipate much trouble filling them. He knew how it had all happened. Knew in ways that facts would never prove.

A racket down below barely penetrated his concentration. When it moved up to his own door he gave it his attention. Brigsby hurried to the door, not pleased. Moments later Jeremy barged into the library.

“You must come at once. There can be no delay. I’ve a carriage outside waiting.”

Jeremy looked as if the French army was at the closest tollgate. Ashen-faced, he stared, wide-eyed and fearful, and looked much like the boy he had recently been.

“It is Minerva. She has been hurt. She was—”

One moment of shock, then Chase moved fast. He sped past him. “Tell me on the way.”

They jumped in the carriage and Chase told the coachman to use all possible speed. The carriage shook enough to prove his command had been heard.

“What in hell happened?”

Jeremy licked his lips. “They brought her to the house. Carried her in. She has a wound to the head. There is a lot of blood.”

“Who brought her? Where did they find her?”

“I wasn’t there. Mum said she had her cards in her reticule and they brought her to that address. A wagon, I think. Mum is tending to her and sent me for you when I returned. Said to tell you she was attacked while on an inquiry.”

He opened the trapdoor and told the coachman to go faster. “She was on a dangerous inquiry alone? Why didn’t you go with her?”

“I wasn’t there. I was helping at the stables today. They asked me to come because one of their men—so I wasn’t there. Mum said she received a letter in the post, and set out soon after breakfast. An easy end to it, she said to mum. She didn’t think it would be dangerous. She wouldn’t have gone alone if she did.”

The worst danger was when you don’t expect it. “Who did this? Is the letter still in the house?”

“I don’t know.” Jeremy steadied his voice and his gaze. “She isn’t stupid, or careless. If you think to upbraid her, you can get out now.”

Was this pup scolding him? He almost snarled back a curse, but caught himself. None of them, least of all Minerva, needed him with his blood up. That could wait for another time, and another person. “All that matters is that she has the best care, and recovers.”