Page 55 of The Earl's Forbidden Governess
Edward’s heart clenched at the sadness in his sister’s voice. “I know, Em. I’m doing everything I can to find her.”
Emily was quiet for a moment, fidgeting with the hem of her dress. “Edward,” she began hesitantly, “don’t you think Lady Isabella is... well, rather grand for our quiet life here?”
Edward’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “I thought you liked Isabella. You seemed impressed by her the other night at dinner.”
“Oh, I am,” Emily said quickly. “She’s very glamorous and sophisticated. But...” She trailed off, biting her lip.
“But what, Em?”
“But she’s not Miss Winslow,” Emily finished in a rush. “Miss Winslow feels like... like family. Like she belongs here with us.”
Edward felt a lump form in his throat. “Emily,” he said gently, “you know Miss Winslow can’t really be family. She’s—”
“Why not?” Emily interrupted, a hint of defiance in her voice. “You’re the Earl of Wessex, Edward. You’ve rejected society for years. Why can’t you do what you want now?”
Edward was struck speechless by his sister’s words. Had he really become so bound by convention, by what he thought was expected of him?
“It’s not that simple, Em,” he said finally, though the words felt hollow even to his own ears.
Emily stood, her young face uncharacteristically serious. “Maybe it is, Edward. Maybe you’re just making it complicated.”
As she left the study, Edward found himself once again lost in thought. Emily’s words echoed in his mind, challenging everything he thought he knew about duty and happiness.
With a sudden burst of energy, Edward rose from his chair. He needed to try again, to search every possible place Catherine might be. And he knew where she’d want to go—despite the vehement denial from the Ashdown girls, he was certain she was there. This time, however, he would not be satisfied with a denial.
He wanted proof.
The ride to the Ashdown estate seemed to take an eternity. Edward’s mind raced with possibilities. What if Catherine was there after all? What would he say to her? And if she truly wasn’t... where else could she be?
As he approached the grand house, Edward felt dread filling his being. This could be his last chance to find Catherine before... before what? Before he lost his nerve, and settled fora life without the woman who had brought light back into his world?
Charlotte Ashdown answered the door herself, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of him. “Lord Wessex,” she said, curtsying quickly. “This is... unexpected.”
“Miss Ashdown,” Edward said, trying to keep the desperation from his voice. “I apologize for the intrusion, but I must ask again—have you seen Miss Winslow?”
Charlotte’s face was a mask of polite concern. “I’m sorry, Lord Wessex, but as we told you before, we haven’t seen Miss Winslow.”
Edward studied her face, searching for any sign of deception. “Please,” he said softly. “If you know where she is, if she’s asked you to keep her whereabouts secret... I just need to know that she’s safe.”
Something flickered in Charlotte’s eyes… sympathy, perhaps? But she shook her head. “I’m sorry, My Lord. We truly don’t know where she is.”
Edward felt his last hope crumbling. But then, a thought struck him. “Miss Ashdown,” he said, his voice tight with barely contained emotion, “would you allow me to search your house? I know it’s an imposition, but I... I need to be certain.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened in shock. “Lord Wessex, surely you don’t think we are lying to you?”
“No, of course not,” Edward said quickly. “But if there’s even the slightest chance... please. I have to know.”
Charlotte hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Very well, My Lord. If it will set your mind at ease. Please, come in.”
As they entered the house, Sophia appeared at the top of the stairs. “Charlotte? Who was at the… oh! Lord Wessex!”
Edward nodded in greeting, his eyes already scanning the entryway for any sign of Catherine. “Miss Sophia,” he said distractedly. “I hope you’ll forgive the intrusion.”
Charlotte quickly explained the situation to her sister, whose eyes grew round with surprise. “Of course,” Sophia said, her voice slightly higher than usual. “We have nothing to hide. Please, feel free to look around.”
Edward moved through the house methodically, his heart pounding with each new room. The maid behind him was a silence presence, save for the gasps she let out when he yanked open every door where a woman could possibly hide. The drawing room, the library, the conservatory—all devoid of any trace of Catherine. With each empty space, he felt his hope dimming.
As they climbed the stairs to the second floor, Edward couldn’t help but notice the sisters exchanging worried glances. Were they concerned about his mental state? Or was there something they were hiding?
