Page 66 of A Governess' Unbridled Passion
She nodded, saying, “Thank you, Lord Phillip. We should do all we can now, and not delay things. Please let me know the moment the constable arrives.”
Alice would know when the constable arrived, as he would wish to speak to everyone. For now, though, her eyes felt good as she closed them. Her mind switched off from the whirling thoughts. For now, she would take what rest she could find because all too soon, her mind would start up again.
Chapter 34
Leaving Miss Alice to rest, Phillip made his to the study so he could search for the list of guests. He wanted it to hand for when the constable arrived.
Making his way through the house, it felt unusually quiet, with an emptiness that was disconcerting. He knew it was because in his heart he could sense the children’s absence, adding to his own unease.
The question of who would want to kidnap the children from their beds, and why, ran through his mind constantly. It was the why, which worried him the most, what nefarious reasons could anyone have? It didn’t bear thinking about.
Phillip wondered if it was someone who knew the children’s situation. Perhaps believing that since they’d lost both parents, whoever it was had assumed the children were no longer loved or wanted.
Or had they been kidnapped in order to sell them to a family who couldn’t have children, or worse, to slavers? Was he going to get a ransom note sooner or later? Of course, he would pay it, every farthing. He would pay any amount to ensure their safe return.
It wouldn’t surprise him if he were to get a visit from one of the other noble families. The Royal Family would not be pleased that a noble child was involved in such a scandal as kidnap. He was sure they’d have plenty of instructions to give him on how to deal with the situation.
They had their ways of handling such things, but for him, he preferred to resolve the situation his way. Still, if they could help in the return of the children, then he would consider any advice they could give.
For now, he had no idea what to do. Opening the study door, he lit a candle lamp. It wasn’t until he went to sit at his desk that he noticed a letter leaning against a desk ornament. His full title and name were written in large handwriting, and it drew his attention immediately.
It hadn’t been sealed, so he unfolded it with haste, wondering if it might be the ransom note, and eager to take action if it were. But to his surprise, it was signed off by Davina. Assuming the note was her way of saying goodbye, he didn’t bother to read it. Leaning back in his chair, he sighed. At least with her out of the way, it was one less problem to deal with, and he absently turned the piece of paper around in his hand.
Slamming it down on the desk, unread, he stood to pour himself another drink. It was the only way he could calm his nerves to get through this. If he ever found who’d taken the children, he might even be capable of murdering them, so angry was he at the culprit.
Sitting back on the chair, he picked up Davina’s letter, assuming she was moaning and complaining at him with her harsh words. But he soon came to realise that this was a very different letter from what he’d been expecting, and he should have read it hours ago.
My dearest, darling Phillip
You will be running around like a headless chicken by the time you read this letter, and I am glad of it. I hope I have caused you and yours much upset and heartache because that was my intention. Especially your little mistress, whom I hope has cried herself dry.
Why am I so bitter? I hear you ask.
Because my mother was treated terribly by your family, shunned like a commoner once her husband passed away. Therefore, I was shunned too, and now I have returned to seek my revenge.
I suggest you announce our engagement and a hasty marriage so I can live a life of luxury I am entitled to. A life that your brother denied us, but a life that you will return as is rightfully mine.
If you refuse to accommodate my needs, I shall be forced to take the children to America. Yes, my darling Phillip, I have the children!
Phillip slammed the piece of paper on the desk for the second time, furious at the vicious deed she had done.
“How dare she take her pathetic troubles out on the children!” he yelled, slamming his fist on the desk.
Phillip got up once again, pouring another stiff drink. “That damn woman,” he growled between gritted teeth. “This whole thing is her doing. I will see her hang if I have my way.”
Grabbing the letter, he didn’t finish reading it as he stormed out of the study and headed through the house to the parlour. Arriving in the main hallway, he shouted for William, who happened to be nearby. He instructed him to go and fetch the head groom.
About to go to the parlour, the letter still clenched in his fist, the outer door opened, and Mr Eli entered with the constable in tow.
“Ah, Constable, you have arrived just in time as we have a lead,” he called to the policeman. “I have sent for the head groom who knows the address of Lady Davina’s friend. That is where I suspect she is keeping the children. Read this letter if you will; it shows she has them.”
“I will need to question the head groom myself, Your Grace,” the constable replied, “if you believe him to have something to do with the disappearance. As for your letter, I can only take your word. You see, I can’t read such delicate letters as those I see on that sheet of paper.”
Phillip thought it more of a case of the man didn’t like to be told what to do. “Very well, he should be here soon. The letter is a confession that Lady Davina Katz has the children. The groom knows of an address where she likes to visit, so I want to go there. Oh … and thank you, Eli, for fetching the good constable here.”
“It gave me something to do, if I’m honest, Phillip,” Mr Eli replied, looking tired from all the rushing he’d done. “The house was bedlam at the time, and I wanted to move at speed to fetch him.”
“Yes, the guests made plenty of fuss, but they’re all gone now,” Phillip said as he spotted Miss Alice leaving the parlour.
