Page 78 of The Duchess Debt

Helena sank against the railing, squeezed her eyes shut, and forced herself to breathe.Oh God…Alice!Where could she be?

“Helena!” Gabe’s shout echoed through the house. He ran up the stairs to her, taking them three at a time. “What’s wrong?”

He cupped her face between his hands, then scoured his gaze over her to check if she were all right. Smelling of liquor, he still wore his clothes from last night’s party, and a growth of morning beard darkened his haggard face. His eyes were red from his own sleepless night.

She gulped in large mouthfuls of air and fought to control her shaking. “It’s Alice,” she rasped and pointed toward the nursery. “She’s gone!”

His face paled instantly. He let go of her and hurried into the nursery, only to halt in the middle of the room and look around. He shook his head. “Nanny Potts isn’t here either,” he said calmly despite the rapid rise and fall of his chest with labored breaths. “They’re probably downstairs in the kitchens bothering Cook, or outside talking a walk.”

“No.” Helena couldn’t bring herself to follow him into the nursery and remained on the landing, insisting, “Someone’s taken her.”

He checked the doorjamb for any signs of forced entry, then did the same with the windows. When he turned aroundin a slow circle to take in the state of the nursery around him, Helena knew what he was thinking—

“I know there’s no sign of struggle, and we would have heard Alice and Nanny call out for help if someone had kidnapped them,” she forced out, so distraught her lips could barely form the words. “But she’s missing, Gabe…I’m certain!”

“Calm down, darling,” he said gently and pulled in a deep breath as he slowly returned to her. “There’s no reason to think—”

“Her doll! She would never part with it. She even insisted on carrying it down the aisle for this morning’s wedding.” Helena snatched up the doll, then held it out toward him. “She’s gone!”

His face hardened. “Adam,” he bit out. “He must have come back last night after I threw him out. That’s why there wasn’t any struggle. Alice knew him and wouldn’t have cried out in fear if he took her.”

“But Nanny Potts—”

“Would have believed any lie he told her. Christ!” He shook his head, then gestured angrily toward the stairs. “She heard us fighting in the morning room. He probably told her the wedding had been postponed and that he was taking Alice away until matters here were settled. Nanny probably helped him pack Alice’s bag and gladly went with him.”

“He made good on his threats,” Helena whispered.

“But he won’t harm her,” he assured her, taking her shoulders. “Not even Adam would harm a child. He’ll simply hold her for ransom.”

She gave a jerking nod, not daring to believe anything else.

Lady Verity emerged from her room on the floor below and finished tying closed her dressing robe as she hurried to the stairs. She craned her neck to stare up at them, frowning “What on earth…?”

“Alice is missing,” Gabe called out, heading down the stairs toward the ground floor. “Tell Larkin to have all the maids and footmen search the house and outbuildings for her, have the grooms search the grounds.” He didn’t pause as he rounded the landing and charged down the next flight, with Helena fast on his heels. “Have them turn over every inch of Grangely, especially the old cottages and unused buildings.”

Verity’s hand went to her throat. “Oh, sweet heavens!”

But he didn’t stop to comfort his aunt and hurried on toward the front door.

“Where are you going?” Helena demanded, catching up to him in the entry hall.

“After Adam.” He flung open the door. “He’s not getting away with this.”

Helena chased after him to the stables. “Then I’m coming with you. You’ll need me to help with Alice and Nanny Potts.”

“It’s too dangerous—”

“Which is exactly why I have to be there.” She trembled to think what Gabe might do to his brother if she wasn’t. “You arenotleaving me behind.”

He halted and turned to face her. From his expression, he knew he wouldn’t win this argument. He raked his gaze over her travel dress. “You can ride fast in that?”

“Just watch me.” She’d fly if she had to!

Muttering a curse beneath his breath, he shoved open the stables doors and shouted to the stable boy who kept watch overnight, “Saddle Miss Sinfell’s mare. Quickly!”

Not waiting for the other grooms to dress and come down from their rooms in the loft, he strode down the aisle to his horse’s box to saddle his large gelding himself.

Both horses were ready in less than ten minutes. Gabe helped her onto her horse’s back and yanked her dress and coat down into place to cover her legs. Then he swung up ontothe back of his gelding. With a tap of his heels, they were off, galloping across the fields.