Page 26 of A Mismatch Made in London

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Robert jumped up so fast he knocked his chair over. We hurried to the back of the room, dodging and slipping past the other people, none of whom were in a hurry.

When we made it back to Mr. Wallcroft, I asked, “Where is Juliet?”

“Yes, where has my cousin gone?” Marianne’s eyes narrowed, and there was an edge in her voice.

Mr. Wallcroft gave us a tiny smile, his cheeks turning pink. “Fairweather convinced Miss Beaumont to go riding with him. He said they would be back in an hour or less.”

For a moment, I thought Marianne would throttle him.

Robert said, “Where was he taking her?”

“I do not know. They went for a carriage ride.”

I tried to focus on breathing, but my chest was so tight, the breaths wouldn’t go all the way in. How could Juliet do this?

“They will return before dark,” Mr. Wallcroft said, as he rubbed a drop of sweat from his temple with his finger.

We hurried outside. The sun was already setting. It would be dark in less than half an hour. The lamps were already being lit all over the gardens.

“What if someone sees them?” Marianne whispered to Robert, who put his arm around her. “Her reputation...”

“How long have they been gone?” Robert asked Mr. Wallcroft.

“Since a minute after we sat down.”

“Perhaps they’re already on their way back,” Robert said.

Marianne leaned against her husband, who added, “Perhaps Mr. Wallcroft will go and search for them.” He looked very intently at Mr. Wallcroft.

Mr. Wallcroft looked behind him, then at Robert again, then turned his whole body as if about to walk away. “Yes, of course. I will go search for them,” he said haltingly.

He hurried away, and I couldn’t decide if I was thankful he was willing to go look for them, or if I thought he was a milquetoast for not telling us sooner and saving Juliet’s reputation.

While we were talking with Mr. Wallcroft, a woman had been standing nearby. She now approached me and said, “Miss Amelia Moore? You remember me. Your aunt’s friend, Mrs. Lacretia Selkirk?”

Marianne’s eyes were locked on mine in an anxious look. Robert Lynch was gazing past me, as if searching the crowd for Juliet. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to this woman I barely knew.

“Good day, Mrs. Selkirk. How nice to see you.” I tried not to look as distressed as I felt.

“I wanted to tell you and your friends—” Mrs. Selkirk said, bending her head toward me as if she imparted something in confidence, even though there were people all around—“that I saw your friend, Miss Beaumont, leave with a gentleman. Do you know that gentleman? Is he trustworthy?”

“Oh, yes, we know him.” I smiled. “No need to trouble yourself. All is well. It was good to see you again, Mrs. Selkirk. Good evening.” I turned away from her, praying silently that she would leave.

“Well, I just thought you should know, in case you were wondering where she’d gone.” Mrs. Selkirk said.

I was forced to turn back toward her, but Marianne answeredher. “Thank you very much, madam, but we were already aware.” She smiled, but I could tell that her teeth were clenched.

We hurried away from the woman, and I breathed a sigh when we were out of her sight and hearing.

Night was creeping in. In spite of the numerous colored lanterns, darkness descended on us, with Juliet out there somewhere with Mr. Fairweather, about whom we knew very little.Oh, Juliet, why did you go with him? Why?

“What should we do?” Marianne’s voice was higher and thinner than I’d ever heard it.

“I’ll take you both home—she may be at home even now—and Jeremy and I shall go search for her if she isn’t there.”

Marianne moaned.