Page 81 of Memories Made At Midnight
He scraped a hand through his gritty hair. God, he needed a good scrub. Preferably before he presented his odoriferous self to Beatrice, though with every breath, his heart yearned to see her sweet face.
“Hexham?” Father furrowed his forehead, obviously puzzled. “But we found his abductors hiding out in Penrith.”
“True, but we came across a man from Corbridge who vows he saw a man matching Layton’s description in Hexham. Corbridge and Hexham are only four miles apart.”
Not a long distance, even on foot.
Cassius cast his mother a guarded glance. “He was hurt, Mother, but we don’t know the extent of his injuries.”
The color drained from her face, but she maintained her composure. “At least Highbury and his thugs have been apprehended. Fletcher should be back any time with news from London about Highbury’s arrest.”
In debt up to his starched neckcloth and owing ruthless money lenders a small fortune, Highbury had resorted to abduction and extortion.
Cassius gave a distracted nod. “Please tell Beatrice I’ll come to see her as soon as I’ve made myself presentable.”
Father cleared his throat. “Son…Miss Fairfax left two hours ago. I allowed her the use of the coach.”
“Left?” Cassius repeated stupidly, his mind unable to comprehend Beatrice wasn’t here waiting for him. “She isn’t here?”
His parents shook their heads.
Beatrice had left.
She was gone.
Because she felt responsible for her uncle orchestrating Layton’s abduction?
No, no, no.
Despair like he’d never known overwhelmed Cassius, and it was all he could do not to bend over and keen in agony. Constanza’s betrayal had been a bee sting compared to this anguish.
Her green eyes brimming with worry, Mother squeezed his forearm. “She fretted the entire time she was here that she was an inconvenience and a burden. After the solicitors came—at her behest—and she signed the documents transferring her inheritance into her possession, she waited another week. When you didn’t come home or write…”
His mother shrugged as if she didn’t know what else to say. “Beatrice is an independent woman, and she is proud. Once she knew Highbury had been arrested, she told us she was leaving.”
“We tried to convince her to stay.” The sympathy in Father’s gaze nearly undid Cassius.
He fought against the moisture stinging his eyes.
“But she knows her mind,” Father said, “and nothing we said could persuade her.”
“Where—” Cassius cleared his throat. “Where did she go?”
Was that his voice?
That broken, tormented rasp?
“We don’t know, darling.” Mother exchanged a concerned glance with Father. “She said she had a few things to tend to before moving abroad.”
Cassius jerked his head up.
He knew precisely where she would go first.
Beatrice would never abandon her beloved pets or Millborn.
He would bet everything he owned and never touch a paintbrush again if she wasn’t on her way to Brighton.
Sprinting to the stairs, he called over his shoulder. “Father, have a fresh mount prepared and food I can take with me. Enough for Beatrice too, please.”
