"Cheer up, Dom. At least you aren't the one they are carting away. That was quite a demonstration, by the way."
They both watched as Charles was carried to Jason's coach. Then they slowly followed. "I take it you don't care to stop Germain's friend?" Jason remarked as the heavyset man mounted his horse and galloped off. "He doesn't seem interested in staying around to see what happens."
"I doubt if he knows anything," Dominic replied grimly. "Germain probably picked him up for insurance. No, I just want to know who is behind all this. Someone hired Charles to put a period to my existence."
Jason chuckled. "Unfortunately, until Germain recovers and you can question him, all you have to do is be wary of everyone you meet."
Dominic's answering smile was devoid of humor. "I'll leave it to you, Jason, to see that Charles doesn't escape the good doctor's care. You will send me word of his progress? I can return to London before going to France."
"I'll let you know the moment Germain can talk."
When they reached the waiting carriages, the two men took leave of one another. "Take care of yourself, Dom," Jason said as he gripped Dominic's hand. "I want you to survive to suffer the slings of matrimony yourself."
"So I can sit at home and play nursemaid?" Dominic retorted. "No thank you, Jase. Your milk-pudding existence is too tame for me."
"All the same, I don't much care for this situation."
"I should be safe enough with Charles laid up. Save your worries for your wife, and let me know when my godchild arrives." Dominic climbed into his coach and leaned his head out the window. "By the way, Jase, thanks for covering for me on this one."
Jason grinned. "Any time, my friend. Good hunting."
Dominic returned his mock salute, then rapped on the ceiling. When Jacques flicked the reins, the spirited horses moved briskly forward. A moment later the coach swung around, heading for the open road.
Chapter Five
"Whatever is taking you so long?" Kath
erine asked at the door to Brie's dressing room. "Luncheon has been ready an age and Caroline is waiting for you."
Brie had spent nearly ten minutes searching through the walnut armoire for something to wear, but she still hadn't changed out of her riding habit. She broke off her search to sigh in frustration. "I'm not hungry, Katherine. Why don't you tell Caroline to begin without me?"
Katherine's mouth tightened in disapproval. "Well, then, Miss Gabrielle, perhaps your highness would deign to come to the sewing room for a fitting."
"I didn't deserve that, Katherine!" Yanking a long-sleeved merino dress from the armoire, Brie flung it across a chair.
Katherine hesitated, noting her flushed cheeks. "Brie, is something wrong? You haven't seemed yourself for the past two weeks or more. Perhaps you are coming down with a bit of a fever?"
"Nothing is wrong!" When Brie saw the genuine concern in her companion's eyes, though, she felt ashamed. "I'm sorry, Katie. But I just don't think I can stand another minute of Caroline's moods. Her depression is becoming contagious."
"You might try for some understanding. I know she has done nothing but mope, but your cousin is just a green girl getting over her first infatuation. She needs someone to listen to her."
"I hardly think I'm fitted for the role of confidant."
"Well, you were the one who approved her visit, remember? I thought at the time that you were taking the situation far too lightly. Lady Langley sent her daughter to you, hoping you would provide a positive influence on the girl, yet so far you've all but ignored her."
"Very well," Brie muttered. "I'll spend more time with Caroline. But please don't expect me to entertain her. I would be at a complete loss."
"She would be better off with some company. Perhaps you could introduce her to some of the young gentlemen in the neighborhood."
Brie shrugged, but then a mischievous gleam began to sparkle in her eyes. "Would Rupert Umstead suffice?" Rupert was the local squire's eldest son. His flowery speeches and general inanities always drove Brie to distraction, but she suddenly realized that she could pawn Rupert off on her mopish cousin and be rid of two problems.
Katherine didn't seem to approve of the idea, however. Seeing her frown, Brie laughed. "How you do like to manage other people's lives, Katie! Very well, I will dress and be down in a moment. Do you still want me for a fitting?"
Katherine shook her head in exasperation. "Brie Carringdon, I will never understand you as long as I live. But yes, I need you. Two of your evening gowns are almost finished and I want to pin the bodice of the amber walking dress. I will expect you in an hour."
Brie smiled in agreement, yet as soon as she was alone again, her smile disappeared. Katherine's comments had been too accurate and pointed for comfort.
It was true, Brie reflected as she began to undress, that she had paid little attention to her cousin. Caroline had been nothing but an irritating nuisance since her arrival. In all fairness, though, the girl wasn't totally at fault. For over a fortnight, Brie herself had been overstrung and restless, and more than once she had snapped at her cousin for some imagined fault. The denial she had given Katherine had been just short of an outright lie, however. Brie knew well the cause of her own ill temper. The problem was she couldn't forget a certain dark-haired lord or what had happened between them. He plagued her thoughts constantly and caused her to start at shadows.