Page 49 of Three Rules to Wed a Duke

Neither of them moved.

“Well, come on then!” she said, turning back to look at them in exasperation.

“Frances, you saw him the other day! The man’s a brute!” Emma said.

“And he’s likely got a lot of knives,” Sara reminded her knowingly.

Frances only rolled her eyes. “Fine, then the both of you can stay here.”

“No! You mustn’t go without us,” Sara exclaimed as she darted forward. Emma reluctantly followed after her.

Frances shook her head, though she did give herself the benefit of a deep breath to steel herself from whatever anger the man might lob her way. She wasn’t wrong on that account.

“You! You’re the one as put these ideas in me son’s head!” the butcher shouted the moment Frances stepped over the threshold. “You’ve got a lot o’ nerve comin’ in ‘ere!”

“I’m sorry to have upset you, good sir. So, I trust that Thomas is not here?” she asked as politely as she could.

“O’ course he ain’t. He’s done took off for somewhere, only I don’t know where. Me wife’s beside ‘erself with fright and can’t stop cryin’ for worryin’ ‘bout where our boy is!”

As the man continued to bellow, Frances noticed something rather important: he seemed to be on the verge of tears himself.He is truly afraid!she thought.He must not know where his son is after all. But then why advertise for help?

“If you truly don’t know where Thomas is and you’re just as worried as we are, then why did you post this notice?” Frances asked, holding up the grimy page.

The butcher looked askance, darting his eyes left and right before finally heaving a great sigh.

“I was only tryin’ to make it seem as though he’d moved off. Do ya know what’ll happen to me if’n the magistrate thinks he’s taken off with a lord’s daughter? They’ll close me shop. My family ‘n I’ll starve, miss. Do ya understand?”

“I most certainly do,” she said emphatically. “And I can personally assure you that no harm will come to you. Nor to Thomas, for that matter. I have secured an agreement with his beloved’s parents that all is forgiven and they will be free to marry.”

“How in the world didja manage such a thing as that?” he asked, looking weak from relief as his broad shoulders sagged and his angry expression drooped.

“I’ve spoken to Miss Walford’s mother and made her a very significant offer. So, if you have any notion at all of where your son might be, I would love it dearly if you would inform him ofthat. Most of all, though, I wish to know that my cousin is safe and happy.”

“I… I cannot say for sure,” the man began, but he stopped. Frances pressed closer, with Emma and Sara close on either side of her. “I would say that she’s safe, yes. And quite happy.”

“But you’re not certain.”

“Not entirely. But give it a day or so and they should be. Tis a long journey, after all,” he said sheepishly.

“And do they intend to come back here?”

“I know not. Nor do I know actually where they went off to, so don’t ask me nothin’ ‘bout that!”

“But you do believe they are together? That Miss Walford is with him and she is safe?” Emma asked, the hope and desperation in her voice pricking at Frances’ heart.

“Please, sir. If you are feeling such a way about your son, the young man whom you know to be capable, strong, and of a good mind, imagine how we are feeling about our cousin who has never ventured outside the protection of her father’s house. We’re going mad with worry,” Frances said, her eyes brimming with tears. “I have already promised you that no harm will come to your family or your son. You have my word as the Duchess of Preston.”

The air inside the shop was heavy as the butcher held his tongue. He looked away, as though refusing to see the pain on the ladies’ faces. Frances could only outlast him, waiting with an accusing but pleading look for him to either answer her or throw her out of his establishment.

“I cannot tell you where they are, though I do know they left together,” he finally said, sounding very tired. “My son penned us a letter a-fore he left. I promise ya, if ya guarantee that my son will be safe and my family will come to no harm, then I’ll tell you the moment I learn anythin’. Will that do?”

“That is more than I can even ask for,” Frances said gratefully. “I will inquire later on, though you know where to find me.”

CHAPTER 19

By the time she returned home, Frances was weary in body and spirit. She’d ventured out to so many establishments, hoping to hear word of Juliet, that her slippers threatened to wear thin on the soles. It had been disheartening, especially her final visit. She could tell the butcher did not trust her, but she could hardly blame him.

“Good evening, Your Grace,” Mr. Vickers said formally when she and Sara reached the house.

---