The road through the forest stretched before us, the air colder than ever and the pale light from the sliver of moon hidden behind a dense overhang of trees. Although I would have dearly loved to leave Duffy behind at a jaunty trot, I dropped the pair into a walk, for I could not see beyond a few feet ahead and it would be madness to bowl along such a dark, ill-made road at speed.

“Debased,” Julia murmured beside me. “I will show him who is debased.”

Fighting words from my sister, but they did not change two sobering facts: Duffy now knew we were adventuring, and he would not sit by while his two sisters brought scandal and shame on the family by attaching themselves to a convict and a disgraced Runner.

Our judicious decampment did not last long. I heard hooves coming up alongside me, then saw Duffy, his usually perfect seat somewhat undermined by his anger, at the corner of my vision. I kept my gaze fixed ahead, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of my attention.

“I will not be ignored, Augusta,” Duffy said, keeping his horse in pace with the phaeton. “Do you have any idea how ridiculous you will appear to those around you? Two women well beyond the age of such infatuations and foolish misadventures. I only hope it is laughed away and does not become a scandal.”

Julia leaned out from behind me and fixed him with a glare. “Well beyond the age? We are only forty-two, Duffy, not in our dotage.”

He looked past me, his expression one of kindly condescension. “I do not blame you, Julia. You are still suffering the sorrow of your betrothed’s death and easily led by Augusta. I am sure the novelty of such admiration will wear off once Kent’s base nature shows.” He returned his gaze to me. “It is you I am most concerned about, Augusta. I offered to forgive your absence at my wedding and you threw it back in my face, and now you are leading Julia into danger. This bizarre behavior must stop. I think, perhaps, you are a little unbalanced. Harriet tells me that it could be the older time of a woman’s life that is affecting your mind. Whatever the case, we are deeply concerned.”

“Concerned, Duffy?” I asked. “Or just irritated that I am not listening to you?”

“I am so concerned, Augusta, that I have engaged a doctor to visit you upon your return to London.”

“Ha! As if I would see any doctor you sent,” I said, and snapped the whip, setting the pair into a trot, away from his infuriating self-importance.

Julia clutched the side of the phaeton. “I think he means a mad doctor, Gus,” she said, her exhausted face tight with sudden fear. “I think he has been talking too much to Lord Deele.”

“Nonsense. He would not dare.”