Page 49 of Unchaining the Heart of the Marquess
“Anyone who has been watching the estate will have realized that she is missing, Father. They may have seen her flee and followed. We simply do not know.”
“I have searched every piece of this estate looking of your mother and have not found anyone lurking in the forest or on the grounds that should not be here. Either the blackmailer is one of our own people, is now watching us, or has gone in search of your mother.”
“One of our own people?”
“I do not know anything more than you do, Frederick, but the notion is not beyond the realm of possibility, is it?”
“No, I suppose it is not.” Frederick detested the idea that one of their own people would betray them in such a manner.
“I cannot see any of this being caused by guilt over the death of a mere servant girl, my son. I must tell you that I disagree with your theory pertaining to this Sarah Evans person. Your mother’s reaction to these threats goes far beyond such paltry concerns.”
Frederick did not care for the way his father viewed the deceased but knew that he was correct in that his mother’s reaction went far beyond. His mother had never exhibited such unsound behavior before, and it was greatly disconcerting. His father looked little better than his mother had before she ran away.
“Perhaps we should all go to Italy together, Father.”
“What if your mother returns and I am not here?”
“Father, I do not believe that she would flee to the continent only to turn around and return home without some encouragement.”
“No, I must remain here. It may not have been her that boarded the ship, and I cannot take the risk; however, I would like for you to leave immediately upon the morrow. I assume Mr. Hanson can continue to care for Pentford in your absence?”
“Yes, of course, Father. Hanson has everything well in hand. I will send a messenger to notify him of my plans. Lt. Buckworth and I will depart in the morn.” Frederick glanced at Lt. Buckworth for confirmation. When the lieutenant nodded his agreement, they both arose and left the library.
Frederick returned to Josephine’s room but found her asleep. Tired himself, he retired to his bedchamber in need of rest before the next day’s journey. He was uncertain about the coming days, and his mind whirled with everything he needed to do before his departure. As he drifted off to sleep, his last thoughts were of Josephine. He regretted not being able to tell her how he felt.I have no choice now but to wait to speak with her upon my return.
Chapter 23
Upon the morn, Frederick and Lt. Buckworth set out for London to find a ship bound for Italy. Arriving in London, they rode down to the docks and found a captain that planned to depart the following day. Frederick booked passage, he and the lieutenant stayed the night at the townhouse, then boarded the ship just after dawn. The voyage took a little over a fortnight, with several stops in ports along the way, ending in Naples.
The Mediterranean Sea was a brilliant blue as they sailed into the Bay of Naples. Gulls flew overhead crying out a welcome to passersby as a wide range of vessels from ships to fishing boats sailed beneath their snow-white wings. As they descended the gangplank, Mount Vesuvius towered above the ancient city, dominating the landscape. The docks were filled with trade goods, sailors, merchants, passengers, beggars…
Frederick and Lt. Buckworth weaved their way through the crowds of people and goods, avoiding pickpockets as best they could. The scent of the sea mixed with those of humanity as they moved further into the city. The Castel Nuovo towered overhead, which had recently been vacated as a residence by the royal family in preference of the Palazzo Reale di Napoli. Under normal circumstances, Frederick would have paid his respects to the royal court but did not wish to draw attention to himself.
As they walked the streets, Frederick could not help but admire the beautiful architecture that surrounded them. Horses pulling carriages clopped by, the sound of their hooves echoing off of the stone streets. Vendors hawked their wares, shouting to passersby in Italian, selling various sea creatures and produce. At one stall he saw an octopus still wriggling about among the fish.
The men walked until they came upon a place advertising food and lodging. When they entered a friendly elderly man welcomed them with a smile. He motioned for them to take a seat at a table, and Frederick managed to cobble together enough Italian to inform the innkeeper of their needs. The man brought them wine, bread, cheese, olives, tomatoes, and a variety of other delicious foods. He introduced himself as Signore Giuseppe Esposito.
“Mangiare. Mangiare,” Signore Esposito instructed them to eat.
A short time later an elderly woman whom he introduced as his wife Maria brought out steaming hot plates of vermicelli with pummarola. The flavors were magnificent and were Frederick not so concerned for his mother’s wellbeing, he would have gladly stayed longer to enjoy the many delights of Maria’s kitchen. The men ate until they felt as though they might burst, then followed Signore Esposito to their room for the night.
In the morning, Frederick arranged for a pair of horses, and they proceeded down the coast toward Sorrento. The farther south they went, the more beautiful the landscape and the more poverty riddled the populace, with the exception of the wealthy villas that dotted the land here and there. Orchards of olive trees, oranges, and lemons delighted the senses.
They passed farmers out tending their lands in rolled up shirt sleeves. As the hot Italian sun beat down upon them, causing their clothing to become soaked in sweat, Frederick and Lt. Buckworth decided that the farmers had the right idea and took off their jackets, laying them over the saddle in front of them. They loosened their cravats and rolled up their sleeves. Frederick felt positively brazen in doing so, but he secretly reveled in the freedom of it, and the heat left them with little choice.
“This land is an absolute paradise, My Lord,” Lt. Buckworth noted, in awe of their surroundings. Flowers bloomed in abundance. Everywhere they looked some sort of fruit, vegetable, or herb was being produced. “I can see why Her Grace elected to come here for her respite.”
“I appreciate you putting it so delicately, Lieutenant. You are a good man,” Frederick expressed his gratitude for the tactful way in with the soldier addressed the Duchess’ scandalous behavior.
“Not at all, My Lord,” Buckworth waved away the compliment. “I am only too happy to serve in this matter.”
At midday, they stopped and ate the luncheon that Signora Esposito had packed for them. They sat staring out over the water and marveled at the beauty before them sparkling in the sun akin to a million sapphires. Frederick found himself wishing that he could share the moment with Josephine and promised himself to do so if he would return someday with her by his side. Mounting, they continued on their journey south.
When they reached the Duchess’ family estate to get to the villa, they rode through groves of olive, orange, lemon, and cherry trees, with vegetables growing in the earth beneath them. Flowers grew in glorious profusion around the house, filling the air with their sweet perfume. A cat lounged in the shade of a tree off to the side, peeking out at them through narrowed eyes as if to question from whence they had come and what hubris had possessed them to disturb its sleep.
Frederick dismounted, causing a myriad of small lizards to scurry into the bushes. He tied his horse to one of the many trees that surrounded the villa and walked around the side of the house to where the veranda looked out over the sea. The view was breathtaking.
Oh, Josephine, I have found paradise.
