Page 44 of Unchaining the Heart of the Marquess
Josephine closed her eyes exhausted by the effort of their brief conversation. Not wishing to fatigue her further, Frederick considered leaving her alone to rest, but he had been apart from her so long, he could not bring himself to leave. Instead, he pulled another chair up next to her bed and sat down. He propped his legs up on the side of the bed and leaned his head against the back of the chair. Josephine reached out, and he took her hand, then closed his eyes.
He thought of Greeves’ description of his family farm to Josephine. Frederick had had similar thoughts of himself and Josephine in Scotland together at Dun Dubh. He was grateful to Greeves for keeping her alive, but the idea of her going off to be with anyone else bothered Frederick more now than it ever had before. His attitude toward their differences in station had begun to change. The more his father had spoken against the lower classes, the more his heart had fought back against the prejudice.
I have been so foolish, consumed by the strictures of my station when in my heart I knew better.He opened his eyes and looked down at their joined hands upon the bed.This is how it should be, always walking hand in hand through life together just as we did when we were children.He lovingly squeezed her hand, then closed his eyes once more drifting off to sleep. His last thoughts were of the life they could have together.I love you, Jo.
Chapter 21
Frederick awoke to find his father standing over him. The Duke silently motioned for his son to join him out in the hallway. Sunlight was streaming through the window, giving the room a cheerful glow. Mrs. Merton was tending to Josephine, while maids came and went doing various morning chores. Frederick was surprised that he had not been awakened sooner by the constant movement in the room. He stood up and followed the Duke outside.
“I cannot find your mother anywhere. I have searched the entire house. I need you and the men to search the grounds.”
“She would not have been able to get out of the house without someone noticing. There are guards surrounding it on all sides.”
“She used the passageway.”
“She did what? I thought we had that sealed over.”
“We did.”
The Duke motioned for his son to follow him and they entered the Duchess’ bedchamber. They moved to the dressing room that joined her room with the Duke’s. What they found there made Frederick stop in his tracks. The Duchess had taken a knife and cut away the wallpaper and plaster, revealing the door beneath. Frederick walked through the plaster debris on the floor and peered into the dark cavity.
Frederick grabbed a lit candlestick and entered the void. He walked down the passageway with his father close behind. They descended a set of stone steps and entered a tunnel at the base. It was so dark that, even with their two candles, visibility was severely limited. They walked for some ways before coming out behind the stables. There was evidence on the ground of two female sized footprints that disappeared where hoofprints began.
“She took her lady’s maid. I was unable to find either of them when I searched the house, and some of your mother’s things are missing. How did she get a horse without someone noticing?”
“I pulled Tatham and the groomsmen away from the stables to serve guard duty last night. It would have been relatively easy for the maid to get a horse without anyone noticing. I had them concentrating on protecting the house. There was no one this far out to take note of their departure.”
“Where would she go? Scotland? Pentford?”
“I doubt that she would have gone to either place, but we will begin searching immediately. I will notify Lt. Buckworth, and we will see where the tracks lead.”
Frederick returned to the house, changed clothes, and went in search of Lt. Buckworth. He found him eating breakfast in the dining room. After relaying all that had transpired, the two of them returned to the tunnel entrance where Buckworth picked up the trail, and they set out after the Duchess. They followed it for as long as there were hoofprints to be found, but eventually, they lost any sign at all when they reached the road.
“There is no way to tell your mother’s tracks from all the others that have traversed this road today.”
“What can be done now?” Frederick asked in frustration.
“This road leads to any number of towns, villages, estates…”
“Including Pentford,” Frederick sighed.
“Yes, I fear we are forced to search all of the surrounding estates, familial holdings, any place you can think of that she might have gone.”
“We cannot alert others to her absence. The scandal would be disastrous. Father will not stand for it.”
“Then we will make quiet inquiries when and where we can. If we separate, we can cover more ground. I will take this way if you wish to take Pentford,” the lieutenant offered.
“Yes, I will meet you back at Chescrown come nightfall.”
Frederick turned toward Pentford. He searched the landscape as he went in the event that his mother had stopped anywhere along the way. When he arrived at Pentford, he was met by Mr. Hanson. “Have you seen my mother?”
“No, My Lord. Should we have been prepared for her arrival?”
“No, Mr. Hanson. I fear the Duchess has left Chescrown without informing anyone as to her intended destination, and we are all concerned given her recent state. Please, inquire quietly, but do not let anyone know that she is missing. The last thing we need is a scandal. I will go to Aunt Rebecca’s and see if she has seen or heard from Her Grace.”
“Yes, My Lord. I will be most discreet in my inquiries.”
Frederick rode out for his aunt’s cottage. When he arrived, he found her kneeling in her garden pulling weeds. He dismounted and walked over to her side.
