The man was almost to the road when Robert set out. Furious at the thought that the bastard would get away, he bellowed his name. It was enough to make Findlay look over his shoulder as he ran, a deadly mistake. He was just feet in front of his carriage, and stumbled as he glanced back. It made him stagger and then fall directly in front of his own horses. That might not have been much of a problem had he not been carrying his pistol. The weapon went off as he hit the ground and the stray bullet hit one of his horses. Both of the beasts whinnied in terror and reared, hooves pawing the air wildly before they came slamming down . . . on Findlay.

Robert winced and slowed to a stop as the terrified animals trampled the man and then charged forward, running him down despite the coachman’s shouts and efforts to control them.

“Do you think the horse is all right?” Lisa asked, drawing his attention to the fact that she, Daniel and Richard had reached him.

Robert gave a short laugh at the question. He supposed it said exactly what Lisa thought of Findlay that she was more concerned for the horse racing off down the street with the other horse and the carriage than she was with the man lying bleeding in the street.

“I’ll check Findlay,” Richard said quietly, moving past Robert to head for the man’s twisted body.

The comment seemed to draw Lisa’s attention to Charles and she glanced to him now, apparently for the first time. At least that’s what Robert decided when she suddenly paled at the sight of the blood quickly pooling around the man.

“Oh dear,” she murmured and began to sway, and then her legs seemed to give out and she started to sink to the ground. Robert caught her before she fell, scooping her into his arms with a grunt.

“Take her in. We’ll see to Findlay,” Daniel said quietly.

“Nothing to see to,” Richard announced grimly, straightening from kneeling to examine the body. “He won’t be bothering anyone anymore.”

“Good,” Robert muttered. “Where is Smithe?”

“We sent him home in the Radnor carriage when we got here,” Daniel answered. “I’ll send for him. He can handle matters here.”