Page 52 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
Shame compounded the heavy discomfiture already loaded on the Duke’s chest. “Still, Mother, it was an unwise move.”
“Oh,pish,” Patricia snorted and dismissed with a wave of her hand. “Even if she stayed the night, she’s with Ann. She is safe, George.”
The Duke had his reservations as he knew how crafty Emmeline could be when pushed, but didn’t give his mother any hint of his doubts. “If you say so, Mother. I will be out of the house this day, but I will be back this evening.”
“How are you and the trading venture with Newberry?” The Duchess asked pointedly, “I know about your animosity towards the poor boy.”
George felt trapped, “Newberry is not a poor boy, Mother, no matter what sympathies Emmeline has sown into you. You must remember that he is of our enemies and will remain so.”
“George, it is time to let this enmity go,” the Duchess pressed. “Your grandfather marred your mind. Will you ever try to look beyond the suppositions and accusations and make peace?”
“I cannot consider this now,” George deflected with calm words instead of the disrespectful terms he wanted to say about Newberry, “I have to see to other matters.”
The Duchess was quiet before she audibly sighed, “My best wishes on your courtship, Son.”
“Thank you, Mother,” George replied, before striding to his room and changing into riding gear. He was personally going to get Emmeline back from the Benwicks.
* * *
Noah felt uneasy. He was flipping through the additional trade proposal sent in by the other Dukes but his mind was set on Emmeline. Half the morning had passed and he hadn’t received any word from her about her forfeited visit.
He was sure that she had stayed with the Benwicks last night— she had to have done so. Even though the Duke was trying to persuade himself to believe it, Noah knew how adventurous Emmeline was. Had she tried to brave the night to come to him, in a reverse of his nighttime visit to her home?
He prayed not. Every day there were increasing reports of robbers on the highways, ruthless men who would not only rob defenseless women like Emmeline but violate them, too. Noah felt the pen in his hand snap in half as the reprehensible thought crashed through his mind.
Oh God no,Noah shuddered.Please, not when I have just found her.
Shooting up from his desk, Noah went to his room to change into riding clothing. He needed to find Emmeline, to see her with his two eyes, which would assure him that she was safe. With his riding breeches on and a riding coat, Noah was determined to leave when his mother stopped him.
“Yes, Mother?” Noah asked tersely.
“Your steward is in the foyer,” the Duchess of Newberry said while handing him a card, “He is insisting that an urgent matter had developed in the village and only you can sort it out.”
Noah felt annoyed with this unwanted disturbance and was burdened with a hard-pressed need to find Emmeline. However, he could not in any good conscience ignore his tenants, so he relented. Swearing to himself to prioritize Emmeline after sorting out this matter he swallowed his impatience and spoke, “Very well.”
Taking the card, Noah scanned the name and strode to the foyer. “Mr. Dunsworth, how may I help you?”
* * *
The Duke of Leverton cantered up to the Benwick house and scanned the sprawling country residence with a fleeting eye. He alighted from his horse at the bottom of the entrance stairs and patted the horse’s nose. “Stay.”
Straightening his clothes, George climbed the stairs and knocked on the dark wooden door. He stood there, with his arms clasped behind his back, and waited to be admitted. The door was opened and the butler bowed, “Your Grace, welcome. Please come in.”
“Thank you, Donovan.” George replied, “I’m here to see Lady Emmeline.”
The man frowned, “I’m sorry Your Grace, Lady Emmeline left the residence last eve. Mr. Allen collected her and they left, to return home, as far as I am aware.”
George felt ice run through his veins, “She leftyesterday?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Donovan replied, as his countenance started to shift to concern. “Miss Benwick saw her off, may I call her for y—”
“Your Grace!” Ann called, as she came around the corner. George briefly admired her elegant lilac gown and coiffed hair. “What a lovely surprise.”
“Miss Benwick,” George bowed, “Emmeline did not arrive home last night, and I was told she left last eve. Do you have any notion where she might have gone?”
A pallor washed over Ann’s face. “How could that be? She left to go home in broad daylight.”
“She didn’t arrive, Miss Benwick–”
