breath she’d just let out. “Give them a moment to run outside, then you and I will sneak out through the front.”
She nodded.
“Are you all right, sweetheart?”
“Yes,” she said, although her body was still shaking. “That was too close for comfort.”
He kissed her on the cheek. “You’re doing brilliantly. Let me get you home and we’ll discuss the next steps. Keep hold of my hand. And by the way, you look spectacular in those trousers.”
She laughed. “Don’t be a dolt. Lead the way.”
They had little trouble dodging the remaining guards, most of whom were chasing down the escaped chickens. Gideon was out of breath and holding his aching side by the time they reached the dower house and entered the kitchen. “I must thank those hens for the distraction,” he said, dropping into one of the chairs with a groan. “I’ll keep it in mind when I come back for Galahad.”
Genalynn gasped. “You’re going to steal your horse?”
“First of all, he belongs to me. You can’t steal what’s yours. And how else am I to ride to London?”
“Then my uncle will know you’re still alive and have been here.”
“Not if all the horses run off. His men will think it’s the fox again. They won’t miss one horse. It might take days to round them all up. Besides, who knows how long your uncle will remain in Bath? I could be back here with a regiment of royal guardsmen before he ever finds out Galahad is missing.”
She sat down on the chair beside his. “That is unlikely. It is a foolish plan. Take one of my horses. I’ll keep an eye on Galahad for you. I won’t let him come to any harm. No one will notice if one of mine is missing. Take Harbinger. He’s a sturdy bay. Besides, London is too far away to reach on one horse. You’ll have to stop at coaching inns along the way and change horses. It will be faster to take a fresh horse from each inn.”
He grumbled. “You’re being far too sensible.”
“But you know I’m right. You can pick up Harbinger on your return from London. I would like to get him back. He’s a sweet horse and I’m quite fond of him.”
He nodded. “You win.”
She breathed a sigh, but frowned a moment later. “I hope Throck is safe.”
“He will be. No one’s going to mess with him. But I’m glad he’s not here. I want to talk to you about him. How well do you know him?”
She pursed her lips and regarded him in confusion. “Why do you ask?”
“He’s in love with you.”
Her eyes rounded in surprise. “No. He cares for me as though I were a sister. I’ve known him all my life. He grew up here and lived with his mother until she passed away five years ago. She took care of him until then and he mostly kept to their cottage. But he was on his own after she died. He’s big and a little...different. He hardly ever talks, so people think he’s slow, but he isn’t. And yet, he isn’t fully...”
Her thought died out as she sought the right words. “I saved him when he was attacked by ruffians. Clovelly is a peaceful town, but we have a lot of outsiders coming by to enjoy the bracing sea air and scenic views. We get well-heeled gentry and the occasional Upper Crust lords. It was one of these titled lords who brought an unsavory element with him. When Throck ignored their demands, they set upon him viciously. I saw it unfolding and ran into town to get help.”
“You saved him.”
She shook her head to deny it. “The townspeople saved him, really. I brought him to the manor house and nursed him back to health. He hasn’t left me since. But he’s never made any untoward advances. Truly, he thinks of me as a sister.”
“Truly, he doesn’t.” Gideon sighed. “But let’s leave it at that for now. I just need to be sure he won’t hurt you.”
“He would never!” She was now overset. “Enough about Throck. Tell me about what you’ve learned. Isn’t it safer to have both of us know this information? It will take you several days to reach London. A lot can happen between now and then.”
“Are you suggesting I have a lot of people who want me dead?” He took her hands in his and cast her an affectionate smile. “That’s true. But I also have you, I hope. That is reason enough for