Page 106 of A Misguided Devotion

“No, but—”

“Do you make a habit of keeping viscounts waiting on your doorstep?”

“No, but—”

The door drifted open as the footman deliberated what to do with him. It was enough. William kicked the wood with his foot and propelled himself through the gap.

“My time is short, so we can dispense with the formalities. There is no need to show me up. I remember the way.”

Without waiting for a response, he shot past the servant and up the stairs. Whether intimidated by his manner or reasoning that it was more important to please a viscount than his master, the man made no move to stop him. When he reached the landing, William slipped into the deserted Long Gallery and hurried along its familiar length rather than risk passing Mr Barrington’s bedchamber. At the far end, he checked the corridor before approaching Mrs Jenkin’s room.

His gentle rap was soon answered, and he pushed past a surprised Sutton before she could say a word and shut the door behind him. “I must speak with your mistress at once.”

The maid seemed to hear the urgency in his voice and showed him in.

Mrs Jenkin looked up and her lips spread into a smile. “Lord Droxford, how kind of you to call—”

“Where’s Miss Lacey? I’ve been told she’s gone.”

“There’s no need to fret, your lordship. She left first thing this morning. You must have crossed paths with her.”

“Then your father was telling the truth. She isn’t here.”

A thumb slipped into Mrs Jenkin’s mouth, and she bit at the nail. “Oh dear. Has he discovered her disappearance already? If he knew of the letter she carried, he would be even more distressed.”

“What letter?”

“The one I wrote to you last night,” said Mr Jenkin. “I’m too weak to act, so I needed help to send word to the Transport Board about what was going on here. You were the only person I trusted not to be corrupt.”

How ironic, given that they had been at loggerheads for most of the time they had known each other.

“Miss Lacey promised to take the missive to you. She knew how important it was. I told her not to return.” Mr Jenkin frowned. “I confess I’m concerned she hasn’t made contact with you yet.”

So was William. There was a slim possibility she had reached his grandmother’s house without being seen by him or his sisters, but what if she had not? What would Mr Barrington or Blake do to her if they discovered her carrying a letter that would incriminate them?

He couldn’t wait to act because she might yet prove to be unharmed. Kitty’s safety was at stake. “We’re assuming she’s already left the house. I’m going to look in her room for any clues as to her whereabouts.”

Once Sutton had checked the corridor was empty, he slipped out of Mrs Jenkin’s bedchamber and around the corner into Kitty’s.

Heart pounding, he took in his surroundings. On the floor by the window was a bandbox. Casting propriety aside, he rifled through its contents. A few books. Some clothes. No sign of the letter that Mr Jenkin had talked about. Were these things she had considered taking but had left behind?

His hand rested on something hard, wrapped inside one of the garments. Her mother’s pearls. The only thing of monetary value she possessed. Without a doubt, she would have taken them with her if she could.

Only two possibilities remained. Either Kitty had fled in such distress that she had not dared return for them. Or she had not left as planned, because someone had prevented her from going. As none of them had seen her on the road, the second option seemed the more likely.

Bandbox in hand, he slipped out of the room and back into Mrs Jenkin’s chamber. His throat went dry as two pairs of eyes stared at him, an unspoken question in their depths. Emotion deprived him of speech. William dropped the bandbox onto Mrs Jenkin’s lap and allowed his findings to speak for him.

She gasped. “Kitty’s things! But why are they here?”

“Because she didn’t leave.”

Mr Jenkin grasped his wife’s hand and lowered his gaze, unable to meet William’s. “I’m sorry, your lordship. If I had thought the risk was so great, I wouldn’t have asked it of her.”

William didn’t blame him. He blamed himself. He should never have left Rufus House without her.

Chapter 31

There was no point wasting time regretting yesterday’s mistakes. William couldn’t turn the clock back and change things. It wouldn’t help Kitty if he let his fears of what could have befallen her overcome him. He needed to act fast if he was to save her.