Page 46 of Unchaining the Heart of the Marquess
“That is wise,” Josephine agreed laying her hand on his arm in sympathy.
“I do not care for the fact that I will be leaving you again. The last time I left, you almost died.”
“Whether you are here or not will not affect my health, Frederick.”
“You are speaking more clearly.”
Josephine smiled. “Which has nothing to do with you.”
“I am sorry I wasn’t here, Jo.”
“I was well cared for,” Josephine reassured him. She closed her eyes in exhaustion.
“I have fatigued you with my presence.”
“Yes, but I am glad you are here regardless of the effort it takes to converse.”
“Josephine I…” Frederick started to tell her how foolish he had been in rejecting her love when Greeves entered the room with another cup of herbal tea.
“My Lord,” Greeves nodded his head in acknowledgement of Frederick’s presence, then went around to the other side of the bed to help Josephine drink her tea.
“What were you going to say?” Josephine asked as Frederick rose to leave.
“Nothing,” he shook his head. “It will wait.”
“Are you certain? The look on your face tells me otherwise.”
“I am certain. We can speak upon my return.”
“Till your return then,” she answered weakly, what little strength she had quickly leaving her. She lay back exhausted against the pillows, pallor returning to her cheeks.
Frederick felt guilty for exhausting her but was glad to have seen some improvement, no matter how small. He had come so close to telling her how he felt, but could not bring himself to do so in front of Greeves. Josephine deserved better than to have her recovery affected by two men fighting over her right before her eyes.
The next morning, Frederick and Lt. Buckworth set out for Dun Dubh once more. When they did not find her there, they spent the night in rest then set out for the London townhouse. They arrived in London after dark. As the townhouse was closed, there was no one to greet them, but Frederick had brought the key. After days of riding to and from Scotland, he was more than ready to lie down in an actual bed.
Unlocking the door, he stepped inside to find the furniture covered with sheets like silent ghosts. Very little dust had settled as the servants had given the house a thorough cleaning at the end of the London social season, but it was in this slight layer of dust that they found evidence of his mother’s presence. Feminine sized footprints matching those they had seen at the tunnel opening at Chescrown covered the wooden floors. Small flecks of dirt scattered the floor from the ladies’ shoes.
Frederick and Buckworth searched the house but found no other evidence that his mother had been there. It was clear that her stay had been quite brief and that several days had passed since her time there as a thin layer of dust had already settled over the dirty footprints.
“Another wasted journey,” he sighed in frustration.
“Not necessarily, My Lord. Her Grace was here at some point in the recent past,” Buckworth noted. “I can make discreet inquiries with my friend in the Bow Street Runners. He could look into the Duchess’ disappearance without raising any suspicion of scandal. We can remain here while the inquiries are made so that we can take action the moment anything is discovered.”
Frederick nodded. “I fear we have no other choice. She cannot have vanished without leaving a trace. She will have been forced to rest somewhere.”
“Indeed. I will set the investigation in motion upon the morrow.”
“If we are to remain here I may need to bring in some temporary staff. For now, let us sleep. Choose any bed you desire.”
“Thank you, My Lord.”
They retired for the night, and the next morning Lt. Buckworth went out into the city to speak with the Bow Street Runners. Frederick remained behind at the townhouse, not wishing to draw any more attention to his family than was necessary. He contemplated whether to hire temporary staff or to get by without any help. He paced back and forth for some time attempting to decide what to do.
I cannot cook as was proven during our time on the road. If we do not intend to starve, I will need to do something during our time in London. I have no way of knowing how long we will be here. I do not wish to be away from Josephine any longer than I must.
The underlying emotions behind his mother’s disappearance and Josephine’s illness made him feel restless and uncertain. It was not a feeling he was accustomed to, and he did not like it. He had been raised to be a man of strength and surety, but recent events had shaken his usual internal sense of calm. He felt as though he were chasing ghosts in the wind, flitting to and fro without rhyme or reason. He felt the strongest need for order to be restored, but that would only happen if he found his mother and the truth was revealed.
Frederick looked around at the dark lonely state of the house with its covered furnishings and felt a pale of gloom drop over his heart. He had never seen it in such a state as his arrival had always been preceded by servants who had made it come alive. His mother had loved the London season with all of the parties, balls, and other social engagements.
