He’d already calculated the quickest route to Liverpool, where Harry had chosen to embark on this ill-considered adventure. There were closer ports offering passage across the Atlantic, but God forbid that his brother-in-law should make things easier. Perhaps the long journey was a blessing. It would give Cam a chance to cool down. At this juncture, if Leath didn’t shoot Harry, Cam would.
Jenkins, who had served the Dukes of Sedgemoor all his life, held the restive chestnuts. “Are you sure I shouldn’t come, Your Grace?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m going alone.” He grabbed the side of the carriage and vaulted into the seat, seizing the reins. “Stand aside.”
“Wait!”
With a sense of inevitability, Cam watched Pen rush from the house. She was dressed for travel and she carried a small bag. “Go back to bed.”
“I’m coming,” she said breathlessly, reaching for his hand to help her into the phaeton.
Cam didn’t release his grip on the reins. “No, you’re not.” He nodded to Jenkins. “Release the horses.”
“No!” Pen darted forward to block the carriage. “Not without me.”
Jenkins looked at Cam, then at Pen, then at Cam. He didn’t release the horses.
“Jenkins, you heard me,” Cam said through lips made of ice. If only his heart was.
“You won’t run me down,” Pen said with a confidence he resented.
“You’re making an exhibition of yourself,” he bit out.
“I don’t care.”
r /> His eyes narrowed. “You’ll move if I drive the horses at you.”
“Try me.”
Cam raised his whip above the chestnuts’ glossy rumps. “Jenkins.”
“Your Grace,” he protested.
“Now.”
With obvious reluctance, Jenkins stepped away.
“Are you that angry with me?” Pen didn’t shift as Cam urged the horses forward. Her face revealed no trace of fear.
Instead of setting off smoothly, the horses moved choppily in the shafts. One neighed its confusion, the other tossed its head.
Across the distance, Pen’s eyes burned into his. At the last minute, as she knew he would, curse her, Cam turned the horses to avoid her.
She stepped into his way again.
“Stand aside.”
“No.”
“Damn it, woman,” he muttered.
“Harry will listen to me. And you’ll need a woman’s help with Sophie.”
It wasn’t the best moment to remember Pen’s stubbornness. If you gained her cooperation she’d go to the ends of the earth for you. If you didn’t, bullying only made her dig her heels in.
“Cam, you need me.”
No, he bloody well didn’t.