Page 9 of Only By Grace
“How many routes are there to Ireland? You do know where he lives, do you not?” she retorted.
“I thought it had been decided that we will wait for Carew to return her,” Rotham remarked.
“My lord?” the butler enquired as he stepped into the room.
“Hartley, there was some confusion as to where Miss Grace was. If you hear anyone speak about her being missing, please reassure them that we know exactly where she is. I do not wish to hear any gossip otherwise.”
“Yes, my lord.”
After the butler had closed the door behind him, Faith turned back to Westwood. “Dominic Stuart, we will go after my sister at once. If you refuse to help, then I will go by myself and take whoever cares to come with me.”
“Carew will take care of her.”
“That will do little to salvage her reputation, sir. A chaperone is what my sister needs at the moment.”
“I cannot like you going anywhere since you recently gave birth. Think of the baby,” Westwood said softly.
“Nor you,” Rotham said to Hope.
“I would love to go, and Freddy can go with me,” Joy remarked, and several looks were cast her way. “She would not be alone, at least, and I did not just give birth,” Joy pointed out the obvious, of course not thinking of Freddy Cunningham as an eligible bachelor.
“But you would be alone until you joined her,” Faith said.
“You are game to come along, are you not?” She nudged her friend in his side.
“Of course.” Mr. Cunningham agreed as he always did.
Personally, it seemed very reasonable to Patience, and though she would never say it, she didn’t think Faith was completely rational since having the baby.
“Mayhap Major Stuart and Patience would be better suited for such a task. They would fit both rescuer and chaperone,” Hope suggested.
“But they are just married,” Faith argued.
Patience and Ashley exchanged glances. She did not mind if he did not.
“We will go,” Ashley offered.
“Excellent. We have a plan. I will see to it,” Rotham said, trying to urge everyone out of the door. “I will send another rider to alert my crew to ready my yacht. It is not as big as Carew’s ship, but may catch them faster.”
“I am most grateful to you,” Westwood said and quickly shook Rotham’s hand before the party exited the house.
As the otherstook their leave, the entry hall and drive buzzed with a flurry of purpose. Instructions were exchanged in clipped tones, and the gentlemen and servants moved determinedly,their urgency tangible. As the others drove away from the house, Faith lingered with worry.
She touched Westwood’s arm lightly. “Stay a moment,” she murmured, her voice steady but low enough to keep their conversation private. Westwood’s brows furrowed, but he nodded and closed the door softly behind him. He gestured for her to speak.
“We must discuss what happens should this situation come to light,” she began, her tone practical. “Whilst I am relieved there is a plan to retrieve Grace, we cannot ignore the consequences should even a whisper of this reach Society. Her prospects, her reputation…everything hangs in the balance.”
Westwood exhaled heavily, rubbing a hand over his face. “I’ve already spoken to Hartley. He will quell any rumours amongst the servants. Ashley and Patience will track her down. We will tell everyone she was with family the entire time.”
Westwood did not seem to understand the gravity of Grace’s situation.
“Even if Grace returns safely, she is with Carew…”
“Indeed. Whilst I do not think he will harm her, I cannot see him as a good match for Grace. Two more incompatible beings would be difficult to find. There is a darkness to him that I would shield her from.”
“Then we must consider the possibility of a swift marriage to someone else.”
Westwood’s brows lifted, and a wry smile curved his lips. “And would you have a candidate in mind, my lady? Or do you intend for me to scour the countryside?”
