No more than half a mile later, the sound of galloping from the direction of Davenport Hall tightened my grip upon the reins. What now? I ducked my head forward, trying to make out who or what was coming our way.

We had come to a part of the road where the woodlands on either side shifted into the edge of the thick Clwydian Range forest, the wild winter boscage extending far back into gloomy darkness. At the corner of my eye, I caught movement within the wilderness, deer, perhaps, or foxes, but it was too dense to make out any particular animal. The horses were especially unsettled, though, so it must be foxes, I decided, or, more dangerous, wild boar.

Evan looked over his shoulder at me and held up his hand. His expression was hidden in the shadow of his hat brim, but from the tension in his body I knew he was alert to new danger. Could it be Mulholland this time? I halted the phaeton again, the two horses shifting and bobbing their heads. Evan and Mr. Kent both reached for the pistols in their saddle holsters.

“Weatherly, get Hades ready,” I said.

“Yes, my lady.” At the corner of my eye, I saw him settle the butt of the big blunderbuss against his shoulder.

Julia sat up straight. “Who is it?”

“I have no idea,” I said. “Nor does Lord Evan. And that is the problem.”

Julia flexed her hands in her lap. “I feel as if I should have a gun too,” she whispered.

“Do you want the whip?” I asked.

I was loath to give it up, but if it reassured Julia to be in charge of it, I would hand it over. Otherwise, I only had my little silver dagger still hidden up my sleeve; not much use in this situation.

“No, you may need it,” Julia said. “This is a terrible pair.”

The terrible pair had become even more unsettled. I allowed them to walk forward a few steps, the gray blowing its dissatisfaction.

A rider appeared a distance ahead, no detail visible: only a shadowy shape, the fact of movement, and the jangle and thud of swift approach. Only one person. Not Mulholland, then. The horseman was covering ground fast. Had he seen us? As he neared, the disparate elements coalesced into a man upon a thoroughbred, riding with a great deal of elegance.

Oh no, I recognized that well-tutored seat.

Duffy.

Good God, what was he doing here?

“That’s Duffy,” Julia said, a second behind me.

“Weatherly, put Hades away,” I said, then called to Evan, “It is our brother.”

Upon that gloomy identification, all guns were lowered.

“Stands to reason,” Evan commented, although he did not holster his pistol. “You left Davenport Hall in some haste and in the company of two men he does not know. If Hester had ever done the same, I would be out searching too.”