They had both been forced into a carriage headed for a location she knew nothing about, right after she had been forced to write a desertion letter to Ethan in order to save Ellie's life. And while she hoped Ethan would see through the words of the letter, she knew the moment Ethan read it, he'd believe every word because Lady Hall had picked the words of the letter very carefully.

Turning to the sleeping child, she whispered a prayer under her breath, hoping Ellie would sleep through the ordeal. She knew once the child awakened, she would be the first person Ellie would reach for, and she knew quite well that Lady Hall would prevent her from taking the child from the maid.

The maid...

For a while, Gretchen's eyes moved to her —why was she doing this? Why were any of them doing this? Were English women this desperate and insane?!

Fighting the urge to cry, she straightened and looked out of the window. Ethan was somewhere out there, most likely in the courthouse by now. Her heart longed for him. She longed so desperately to see him that it nearly took her breath away. She longed to be wrapped in his arms, to feel his warmth, to be safe with her child and husband.

And just like that, as her eyes scanned the environment and her heart longed for Ethan, she saw him! It took everything in Gretchen not to leap for joy as she saw Ethan on horseback, most likely racing back to the manor.

Did he know Gretchen and Ellie were in trouble? Did he know of Lady Hall's plans?! It seemed impossible but she knew Ethan wouldn't be riding back if he didn't know something was wrong.

Her gaze shifted back to Ellie who was now stirring in the maid's arms and she knew she couldn't have Ethan find them, not now because she knew that Lady Hall wouldn't hesitate for a second to kill Ellie once Ethan showed up.

The first thing that came to Gretchen's mind as she sat there and watched as Ethan's horse drew near was to scream. And so, she did. Letting out a yelp, she half jumped, causing both women in the carriage to do the same. The sudden movement of the maid was enough to awaken Ellie and evoke a loud cry from the sleeping child.

Confused and distracted, both women didn't notice the fact that Ethan had just ridden past them, or that Gretchen had managed to slip her wedding ring off and throw it out of the window, hoping and praying that Ethan would find it and at least trace them this far.

“What is wrong with you?!” Henrietta said tersely.

“A mouse, I was certain I saw a mouse!” Gretchen answered, turning her attention to the crying child who was now reaching for her.

Reaching forward to retrieve the child from the maid who sat across from her, her hand was immediately swatted to the side by Lady Hall.