Page 70 of The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess
“No, it does not. Perhaps Elizabeth ruined their plans when she fought with them. I cannot say. But the facts are leading us away from the Baron and Priscilla, would you not agree?”
“And we are certain that this was not simply a random act?” Percival sighed but Leonard could hear he did not believe it either. The question did not require an answer.
Herbert met them at the door when they arrived back at the manor, his face crestfallen.
“What is it?” Leonard asked but Herbert’s response was to hand him an envelope, sealed with wax.
“Mr. Follett told me what has become of Miss Elizabeth,” the barrister mumbled. “I felt it necessary to tell Miss Follett and it did not go well.”
Leonard sighed heavily, wishing for a modicum of good news for just one moment. He turned his attention back to the letter in his hand and instantly recognized the script and his heart leapt into his throat.
He peeled back the sloppy seal to read the message inside.
YOU WILL DELIVER THE MONIES IN ONE DAY. BE PREPARED FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.
Leonard whirled to Herbert.
“Where was this? Do not tell me upon the doorstep again!”
“It was in the study, Your Grace. I looked for you and found it upon a book. I knew what it was at once.”
“How can this be? We have guards on patrol!” Leonard howled. “How are these men managing to sneak through my manor house with such ease, undetected?”
“I will see about doubling the guards, Your Grace,” Herbert assured him, worry creasing his face.
“Never mind now—tell me about the money. Have you collected it?”
“It has been but an hour, Your Grace. I cannot expect to—”
“The exchange is expected tomorrow, Herbert. Why are you standing here? You are tasked with collecting the funds!”
His voice had reached a pitch Leonard did not recognize even in himself.
“Your Grace, that is not enough time.”
“You will find a way, even if you must go to each duchy, and borrow from every lord, for a fortnight.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Herbert lowered his head and turned away.
“You need not be so harsh with him,” Catherine chided. “He is as distressed as the rest of us.”
“I am aware of that, Catherine,” Leonard sighed. “That does not change the fact that his standing about does not help matters.”
“I am not certain anything we do will help matters,” Percival said, exhaling.
“What a thing to say, Lord Gordon. Paying the ransom will help matters and the Duke is doing his best to ensure Elizabeth’s safe return.”
“Forgive me, Lady Catherine. I am beside myself.”
“As all of us are,” Catherine replied. “Is that not so, Leo?”
But Leonard was barely listening, his mind whirling. Over and over in his mind he had replayed the night as recounted by Catherine. For the first time, he realized that there was someone else at the Smithersons’ home that night, another who might have felt cause to take Elizabeth.
“Lord Cooke!” he breathed. “He took her!”
Chapter 23
