We drove in silence for a few miles, my reticence due to a deep wash of fatigue, and Julia’s, I think, due to concentration. The road was treacherous. Finally, we saw a crossroad up ahead.

“Turn left here,” I said over the rumble of our wheels. “This road can take us back in the direction of Liverpool.”

“We are not going to Liverpool,” Julia said.

I dug my feet against the footboard as we bounced over a series of ruts. Of course, Julia did not know the new plan.

“We are not going to Holyhead now. It is too far away,” I said. “We are going to Liverpool—it is much closer and we’ll be able to find a ship sooner.”

I forced down the rising misery of Evan’s departure. I had been living with the possibility for months. Surely I should be used to the hollow sense of loss by now.

“We are not going to Liverpool either.” Julia glanced across at me, her face set into determined lines. “We are going to Llangollen.”

“What?” I said, trying to move my thoughts beyond the obvious stupidity of the plan. “You cannot be serious. Brummell and Alvanley are there! We agreed Alvanley is a danger.”

My sister’s expression, however, was very serious. “Things have changed, Gus. This is the best course of action now.”

“No, it is a terrible idea. Take the turn! We have to go to Liverpool.”

Her hand tightened on the reins. “We are going to Llangollen, and as fast as possible; time is of the essence. Miss Grant and Hester will stay with Miss Ponsonby and Lady Butler, if the ladies are willing to take them in. And I am sure they will be.”

“Deele will just find them and take Hester back,” I said. How could Julia not see that?

“He will not. I am sure of it.”

“Sure of it?”

I looked over my shoulder at Miss Grant, grimly holding on to Lady Hester. The racing suspension of the phaeton was more intense between the two larger wheels and Lady Hester had slumped sideways across Miss Grant’s lap. “Neither you nor Lady Hester knows the ladies, do you?”

Miss Grant shook her head.

I turned back to my sister, my confusion shifting into anger. “They are not even acquainted, Julia. There is no guarantee the ladies will take them in. Besides, Evan and Kent will not know where we have gone!”

“Weatherly knows the plan. He will tell them. I have told him to do so within Deele’s hearing.”

“What? In Deele’s hearing?”

Had she gone mad? Had the mercury done something to her brain?

Julia leaned forward, loosening the reins and urging the horses into a canter, clearly meaning to drive past the intersection of roads.

“Julia, you are making a mistake. This is a terrible idea. Take the turn!”

“No!”