Page 89 of Married to the Icy Duke
Isaac tightened his jaw. The sense of unease had solidified in his gut, although he could not have said where it had come from.
“He must be found immediately,” he said firmly. “Have Perling and Mrs. Ribb search the house again. I understand that they’ve searched already, but he could have run around and gone into a room they have already searched. Charlotte, I suggest we have the doors closed and locked. The guests will not be happy, but if he has not already left the house, I don’t want the opportunity to present itself. After that …”
He trailed off as a small figure came pushing through the crowds towards them, blonde hair streaming out behind her. It was Madeline, in a silvery gown and white domino, which she did not wear. He suspected that Madeline did not enjoy the mystery and intrigue of masques.
“Charlotte, there you are,” Madeline gasped. “Where is Tommy?”
Charlotte stiffened at once, and Isaac watched the color drain from her face.
“Not here. We cannot find him. Why? What have you seen?”
She let out a shuddering breath. “I was trying to rest near a window, and I was looking out at the garden. I could hardly see a thing, but I saw that the doors to the terrace—these very doors—were open. I only glimpsed it for a moment, but I saw a man in a black cloak pick up a small boy. He turned and ran into the woods.”
The world seemed to swim in front of Isaac’s eyes. He stared at Madeline until she blurred into a blonde-and-silver smear. Mary began to cry quietly, pressing her apron against her face. Isaac was not sure he could have managed a word.
To his surprise, Charlotte was the one who spoke, her voice firm with only a hint of a tremor.
“What about this man? What did you look like? Did you recognize him? You mustthink, Madeline. This is important.”
Madeline had gone a funny shade of gray. It was clear that the poor girl was terrified, but it was nothing compared to the stab of nausea in Isaac’s gut.
“I did not recognize him. He seemed to be of average height and moved with a young man’s sprightliness. As I said, he wore a black cloak, black hat, and black domino. He wore gray underneath it all, I think.”
“Did Tommy struggle? Did he scream?”
She shook her head. “He seemed very calm.”
Charlotte let out a shuddering breath. “Very well. Come out onto the terrace and point out exactly which direction the man headed.”
Madeline nodded and led the way out onto the terrace. The laughter and chatter from the ballroom seemed obscene now.
Isaac had expected her to point to the left, where somebody could easily run around the house, under the cover of the trees, to where they had left a carriage or a horse. Instead, she pointed straight forward, right into the depths of the woodland surrounding the house.
“It was only a few moments ago,” Madeline added. “I believe you might catch him if you hurry.”
Charlotte nodded grimly. “Madeline, Mary, listen closely. You’ll need to summon the constables and perhaps begin herding the guests out. Speak to Mrs. Ribb, and …”
Isaac stopped listening. He took several steps towards the edge of the terrace, staring out at the dark trees. There was something familiar about all of this, but he could not put his finger on it.
And then he saw it.
The tower, the old folly that his father had built, rose up above the tops of the trees, silhouetted against the moon. Isaac’s breath caught in his throat. As he watched, the buttery glow of a light warmed the single window of the tower.
“I know where he is,” Isaac breathed. At once, Charlotte was at his side. Behind her, Mary and Madeline scuttled off, having been given their orders.
“What?” she gasped. “What did you say?”
“I know where he is, and I know who’s taken him. Stay here.”
At once, Isaac set off at a run, plunging into the darkness of the forest.
Branches and twigs slapped at his face as he ran blindly through the undergrowth. Gnarled roots and bits of rock threatened to trip him.
He would have to be careful. His father had been obsessed with follies, throwing up old-looking Grecian villas, faux cottages, gazebos, and all sorts of things in the forest. Over time, due to a lack of care, most of them had crumbled, leaving only half-broken walls and lumps of stone ready to trip an unsuspecting passerby.
The tower, however, had remained.
I played in it. We all did.
