A family this time. Two elegant parents, and their equally elegant young daughter. The father stared at him with cold, unwelcoming eyes. As if he’d expected his family to have the compartment to themselves.

Neville returned the gentleman’s stare with a cold look of his own. One he’d seen Justin use on countless occasions. The implacable gaze of a ruthless cavalry captain.

Across from him, the gentleman hastily averted his gaze, turning his attention back to his small family.

Neville opened his book and began to read, even as his pulse pounded.

Tomorrow he would arrive in Cambridge. He would find Clara. And if he had to brave the fires of hell to get to her, so be it.

Chapter 23

Cambridge, England
December 1860

Neville removed his hat before entering the Bell and Swan, shaking the snow from its brim. The jarvey at the railway station had recommended the tavern as the likeliest place a visitor to Cambridge might stay. However, when it came to finding Clara here, Neville was beginning to have his doubts. The place was chock full of guests, the majority of whom appeared to be gentlemen. Their voices drifted out from the dining room into the front of the tavern, some of them laughing and others shouting in spirited argument.

A drab older woman in homespun appeared at the counter to greet him. Behind her, a flight of rickety wooden stairs led to the floors above. “Hope you’re not looking for lodging, sir. We’re full up.”

He dropped his leather portmanteau onto the floor beside him. He had hoped to get a room. He’d been traveling straight through the night. A whisper of urgency had encouraged him on, growing louder the nearer he drew to Cambridge. He had the distinct sense that Clara was in trouble. That she needed him.

It was likely nothing but his own overtaxed nerves. He’d been under a fair bit of strain since leaving the Abbey. His muscles had tensed every time he encountered a new person—a porter, a coachman, or a stranger seeking to make conversation.

Several times he’d lost his words. And once during the journey he’d drifted off in his head while staring out the window. It had been awkward and disconcerting. But he’d managed to get through it. To keep going.

“You can try the Red Lion, across town,” the woman said. “I won’t say it’s as fine a place as me and my husband keep, but it will do you for a bed.”

“I…” He tried to formulate his thoughts. The noise at the back of the tavern was distracting. “I’m looking for someone.”

“One of the Antiquarians? They’re all in the dining room. The meeting’s well under way by the sound of it. Are you a member of the society?”

“No. I’m looking for a…a lady.”