Mr. Kent bowed again, apparently unmoved by an introduction to the most powerful men in society. “How do you do.”

“We are very pleased that your sister and Miss Grant will be staying with us, Lord Evan,” Miss Ponsonby said. She bit her lip. “All proceeding as we hope, of course.”

“Indeed.” Evan bowed again. “And I thank you for your generosity. May I see my sister?”

“Yes, yes, come this way,” Lady Eleanor said, leading the way out of the room. “She is well enough and almost awake.” Evan looked over his shoulder at me. We would confer later. I nodded.

“You are covered in leaves, Mr. Kent,” Julia said, crossing to him and gently picking the offending foliage from his collar.

Mr. Kent smiled, their eyes meeting in such a full, raw connection that I looked away. “I took Deele’s horse into the woodland beside the road. It was not pleased about it,” he said.

Across the room, I saw Mr. Brummell note the intimacy with a lift of an eyebrow. Did nothing get past the man?

“Weatherly,” I called, making my way past my sister and her swain to the hallway.

“Yes, my lady?”

He was more worse for wear than Evan and Mr. Kent, his greatcoat wet and muddy in patches, and a graze upon his cheek. He saw my evaluation.

“I came off a few times,” he said ruefully. “I think the horse knew I was not a skilled rider.”

“Are you hurt, beyond—?” I motioned to his face.

“No, my lady. Lord Evan checked me, but I think I may have slowed down our progress. I am sorry.”

I waved away the need for apology. “Do you think you are up to another task with the horses? It will be in the phaeton.”

He straightened, a small smile appearing. “You want me to drive the phaeton?”

Weatherly might not yet be skilled in the saddle, but he was an excellent carriage driver. “I need you to take Lady Davenport’s team and the other horses to the Hand Inn. Rouse the publican, any way you can, and tell him Lady Augusta Colebrook wishes for a change of horses. Try to get a matched pair for the phaeton—I want to get back to Davenport Hall tonight—but I suspect we will have to take what we can get.”

Or ride with all speed to Liverpool. Either way, fresh horses were essential.

“Of course, my lady.”

I handed over my bag of coins. “Make sure he knows he is stabling Lady Davenport’s best team until she reclaims them. Press upon him that he must not let anyone else use them in the meantime or he will have hell to pay from Lord Davenport. Give him double what he asks.”

“I will, my lady.” He hesitated. “Will Lord Evan and Mr. Kent be coming back with us?”