Page 74 of Finding Hope
Gus returned with the excited dogs, while Westwood was already organizing the search. “Let us divide into pairs. Gus knows this estate best and can go with some of the grooms. Freddy, you and Carew take the western direction towards yourestate, Monty and I can take the south lawn and then I will take the direction of the river with more grooms.”
“Max,” Gus said. “Father thinks he heard voices coming from the Duchess’s chambers just a short time ago. He said the dogs were barking and would not be hushed.”
“I looked inside, but the only thing amiss was the door to the service lift cupboard was wide open. Do you think she could have been removed from the house that way?”
Max cursed. “That did not even occur to me! But why through the Duchess’s apartment? There is one near the guest chambers in the east wing.”
“But the ones in the central wing are the only ones which go to the level of the cellars,” Gus reminded him.
“The river!” Both Gus and Max exclaimed at the same time. “There is a tunnel through the cellars to the river.”
Westwood held up a hand. “Has anyone yet been to question the Duchess?”
“No,” Max confessed. “She will not have done the work herself.”
“But you could very well save a great deal of time if you can convince her to tell us where Hope is,” Westwood said with sound reasoning.
Max hesitated because he wanted to search for Hope, but he knew his friend was right. “Someone had better come with me, because I cannot be held responsible for my actions with her.”
“I will do so. If Gus does not mind staying here to superintend the search. I think your inclination that she was taken through the cellars to the river is a good one, but where would she be conveyed to from there?”
“It feeds all the way into the Trent. And with the recent rains, the current will be fast,” Freddy said.
“Head in that direction, all of you. Perhaps you may catch them. We will go to the Dower House.”
Max and Westwood set off at a run, and Max prayed that he could control his fury enough to extract information from his mother quickly.
He burst through the doors of the Dower House, breathing heavily, and even the guard was taken aback. “Where is she?” he demanded.
“The drawing room, my lord.”
Max took the stairs two at a time, Westwood right behind him.
She was sitting there, looking demure and composed, but he was not fooled. Ice flowed through her veins.
“Rotham. Westwood. To what do I owe the honour?”
“Please dispense with the small talk. I know you have kidnapped Miss Whitford and I want to know where she is.”
She smiled with pleasure, but it was evil. “Yes, I admit I have had her removed, but I will never tell unless you renounce this ridiculous plan to wed her.”
Within seconds, he pounced upon her, his hands encircling her neck, choking her with a ferocious grip.
He felt Westwood prying him backwards. “Killing her will solve nothing, and will certainly not help us find Hope more quickly.”
Max knew Westwood was right, but he was desperate. Reluctantly, he relaxed his murderous grip on her neck. Red finger marks marred her white skin—and her eyes protruded like a toad’s. At the thought, he wiped his hands on his breeches and took a hasty breath. The desire to snap her neck raged as fire in his veins.
Her maid ran to her side, casting a look of scorn at Max.
“You will rot in hell alongside her,” he warned. “You will both leave Davenmere today, and never return, unless you tell me where you have taken her!”
“Your father will never stand for this,” the Duchess said with haughty grandeur.
“He has already given his blessing. Unfortunately, the stay on your sentence until his death will be revoked after your actions today. Do you realize that ball also hit me?
“You were not supposed to move. I only intended to frighten her.”
“And all for what? Was it worth it? Miss Whitford will be my bride within days, regardless of this wicked deed.”
