Page 151 of The Trouble with Tigers
From the corner of his eye he saw a chambermaid pop her capped head out of a neighboring room.
He turned an urgent gaze on her.
The maid came out to the hall, wiping her hands on her apron. “The lady ain’t about, m’lord.”
“She’s not on the premises?”
She shook her head.
“But she hasn’t checked out?”
“Not that I’m aware, m’lord.”
“Where is she?” he demanded.
She took a hasty step back.
He rolled his shoulders, stretched his neck, and tried again. “I’m looking for my fiancé. I thought I’d find her in her room. Have you any idea where she went?”
The maid relaxed visibly. “Aye, m’lord.” She glanced around as if to ascertain no one was listening, then stepped closer to Zeke. “I was cleaning the rooms on another floor when I seen her standing in front of her brother’s door who I knew very well wasn’t in. When I informed her as such, she got upset. I got the idea she was going to look for him.”
Zeke’s skin went instantly clammy. “Thank you. That’s very helpful. About how long ago was that, would you say, miss?” His voice sounded strange. As if he were speaking from very far away.
“About two and a half hours, I’d say.” She cocked her head. “The other gentleman asked the same thing.”
Zeke’s insides froze. “The other gentleman. That would be…?”
She shook her head. “Lord James.” Her brows knitted in confusion. “He claimed he was the lady’s fiancé, now I think on it.”
“I’m sure you misunderstood. He’s a distant cousin, nothing more.”
She nodded, though uncertainty clouded her eyes.
Zeke thanked her and reached in his pocket to toss her a few coins. “If the lady returns, please tell her to wait for me here.” He started to turn away, then added, “Lord Thurgood. Her fiancé.”
***
At the stables, Zeke quickly informed Caden and Randall of the situation.
“They haven’t left town, but none of them are on premises. Additionally, the three left separately. According to the inn’s staff, no one’s seen Hastings come or go since he went out, day one.
“Kitty went off on a tear this morning, apparently on the hunt for him. James, it seems, left after that, looking for her.”
Zeke felt downright grim. He’d known something was wrong.
“Any idea where to start?” Caden asked.
He had only one clue to go on—Kitty’s possible sighting of Hastings’ friend, Peters.
“We’ll start at the tobacconist shop. Kitty mentioned it the other night. Said she thought she’d seen a friend of her brother’s near the alley.”
They set out on foot. The town wasn’t large, and Zeke decided the horses might prove a hindrance in small, tight places, like alleyways behind tobacco shops.
The scent of baked goods, roasted meats, and sweets filled the air the closer they got to the ongoing fete. Sounds of laughter and conversation, of street vendors hawking their wares and buggies traveling the cobbled streets merged into a growing cacophony of noise—yet Zeke could still hear his own breathing. Could make out the distinct beat his heart. The clip of his boots on the street.
He needed to find Kitty. Needed to see her. Touch her with his hands. Nothing would be right until then.
“Is that the shop?” Caden pointed to the corner ahead.
