“This is my area of expertise,” Evan said, with a side glance at Mr. Kent. “It will be too difficult to stop my brother’s coach from behind. We must circle around in front of it. Once we sight it, we will cut across fields and meet it farther along.”

He outlined the plan: a mad mix of strategy, knowledge of his brother, and derring-do.

“Now I know why you have never been caught,” Mr. Kent said. “Does your brother know you are in England? In the vicinity?”

“A good question,” Evan said. “I have no idea.”

He glanced at me, but I answered with a shrug. Mulholland could have told him, but then again, it was just as likely he did not. Hester, too, might let slip the information in extremis.

“He must know Julia and I are involved, since he brought our brother to force us to hand over Hester,” I said, “but that does not necessarily mean he knows Lord Evan is here.”

“And I do not know how he will react when he discovers I am the one stopping his coach,” Evan added. “He has not hesitated to enact violence upon our sister, so I would assume he would have no compunction shooting me.”

“Excellent,” Mr. Kent said dryly. “Do I need to add that it would be better if we do not shoot a lord of the realm?” He fixed a stern gaze upon me from under his brow. “You may wish to ride with us on this mad enterprise, Lady Augusta, but Lady Julia must not be exposed to such danger. She is, I think, more gente—” He stopped, clearly realizing he was about to insult me.

I eyed him for a long moment; he still had a lot to learn about my sister. Nevertheless, I did agree with him about Julia’s safety.

“Let us help Miss Grant to the phaeton,” I said. “She and my sister can follow at a judicious distance.”

“No, they should not follow,” Mr. Kent said. “They should go back to Davenport Hall. Miss Grant is hurt.”

“Absolutely not,” Miss Grant said vehemently. “I could never abandon Hester.”

“Of course not,” I said. “Besides, we will need the phaeton to carry Lady Hester once she is retrieved.”