Page 45 of Unchaining the Heart of the Marquess
“Frederick,” she greeted with a smile. “What brings you here on this fine day?”
“Aunt Rebecca.” Frederick bent down and kissed her on the forehead. “Have you seen or heard from Mother this morning?”
“No, dear. Should I have?”
“She has left Chescrown without telling anyone as to her intended destination. There have been threats on her life, and she should not be out traveling alone.”
“That is most concerning. Why would she do such a thing?”
“I do not know. Fear perhaps? We had her under guard, but she would not share with us the secrets of her life that had led to the threats. I do not know how to help her if she is not willing to help me do so.”
“I am sure your mother has the best of intentions, but I cannot imagine what would possess her to behave in such a fashion. She has spent her entire life avoiding all hint of scandal. This is completely out of character.”
“This entire ordeal has been completely out of character. I do not know where to begin.”
“Perhaps she went to Dun Dubh. It was a favorite of ours when we were children,” his aunt suggested.
“I doubt it, but I cannot eliminate the possibility without first inquiring.”
“If she comes here, I will send word to you immediately,” Rebecca promised dusting the dirt from her hands and rising to her feet.
“Thank you, Aunt. I may need to return to Scotland, but Father will remain at Chescrown so you may send word there.”
“Of course. Can I offer you anything before your journey?”
“No, I had best be on my way. Father will not rest until Mother has been returned safe and sound to Chescrown.”
Frederick mounted his horse and rode back to the Pentford manor house to see if Mr. Hanson has unearthed any new information, but when he arrived nothing more had been ascertained. Frederick was forced to return to Chescrown empty-handed. When he arrived Lt. Buckworth was awaiting him in the library with the Duke.
“There was no sign of Mother at Pentford or Aunt Rebecca’s cottage. She recommended we return to Dun Dubh to see if she traveled there as she did before my birth.”
“I did not find any sign of her at any of the surrounding estates,” Buckworth informed him as the Duke laid his face on his hands. He was beside himself with worry and anger.
“I believe Rebecca is correct. We should look for her at Dun Dubh.”
“We will set out for Scotland upon the morn,” Frederick promised. “Do not fear, Father. We will find her somehow.”
“I have contacts in London, Bow Street Runners, who might be able to offer some aid,” Lt. Buckworth offered.
“We need to keep this as quiet as possible. No hint of scandal can touch the Duchess. I will not have her name sullied in any way,” the Duke warned.
“Of course, Father, but we have no way of knowing where she has gone. If we do not find her in Scotland, we will need to go to the London townhouse. If she is not there, I do not know where else to look.”
“Do your best, my son. That is all I can ask.”
Frederick left the library and went upstairs to look in on Josephine. When he entered the room, he found her awake with a bit more color in her cheeks than she had had the day before. “You look a bit better,” he noted as he came to sit down next to her on the bed. “I see Greeves’ remedies are working.”
“Yes, I am most grateful for Owen’s efforts. You do not look well. From the look on your face, I take it you did not find your mother?”
“No, I did not,” Frederick sighed in exasperation.
“What are you going to do?” she asked concerned.
“I will be leaving for Scotland upon the morn.”
“You believe her to be at Dun Dubh?”
“No, I do not. She has avoided going there my entire life. I do not see why she would change her feelings on the matter now, but I cannot take the chance that I am wrong.”
