None of the footmen had been hurt. None of the footmen had seen anything.
Charlotte tenderly and thoroughly examined Augustus to ensure that he had suffered no injury.
“You neither heard nor saw anything?”
The four footmen shook their heads. Augustus said, “No, my lord. We kept awake since we took over from the others at midnight. There was nothing to disturb us.”
Augustus spoke very well. His mother doubtless appreciated that. The baron shook his head. Who gave a damn if Augustus spoke like a country yeoman?
The thief had taken her, but how?
“My lord, I’m sorry, but Marianne wants Mrs. Carrington. She’s yelling her head off and Lottie is beside herself. She’s new and Marianne doesn’t quite trust her yet.”
“I’m coming,” Rohan said. He and the men had been searching for the past six hours for any sign of Susannah. Nothing, they’d found nothing. He was very worried now, but he didn’t know what to do. He wanted a bit of luncheon, then he would go out again. His mother, garbed in men’s britches, jacket, and a jaunty hat, had just left to join another search.
Lottie was trying to comfort a squealing Marianne, who was also squirming madly in her arms. Rohan walked to her and said, “Marianne! Stop that racket, you’re making my head hurt.”
Marianne, taken by surprise, stuck her fingers in her mouth and began sucking hard.
“That’s better.”
Marianne suddenly launched herself at him. Lottie missed, but Rohan managed to grab her out of the air.
He held her close, his heart pounding. She was gasping, giving small hiccups. “What is this, little pumpkin? Your mama isn’t here right now, but she soon will be.”
“Mama always kisses me good morning.”
That sounded nice. Dear heavens, he was losing what little brain he had remaining.
“I woke up without my mama’s kiss.”
He kissed her cheek. “There, that’s a baron’s kiss.”
Her fingers went back into her mouth.
“Did you eat, Marianne?”
Marianne just sucked harder on her fingers.
Lottie shook her head. “She wouldn’t accept a single bite, my lord.”
“Very well, then. I’ll take her downstairs. We’ll both have our lunch.”
Lottie could only stare at the master of Mountvale Hall, the man who was known far and wide for his amorous exploits, his wild dissipations. He was willingly holding a little girl? He was willingly taking her downstairs to feed her? She couldn’t wait to go home to begin spreading the news that the baron wasn’t acting as he should. Goodness, he even seemed to be quite fond of the child.
Mrs. Horsely came into the breakfast parlor with a plate that had on it small piles of everything a very young person could possibly desire to eat.
Rohan carried Marianne over from the window. Toby was already seated. He looked terrified, drawn and ill.
“Stop it, Toby, we’ll find her,” Rohan said in a powerful and firm voice, wondering if that commanding voice would convince a flea.
“Yes, sir,” Toby said. “I can’t eat, sir, else I know I’d puke.”
“Then please don’t. Have you ever fed Marianne?”
Toby shook his head.
“Then I suppose it’s my job. Well, little pumpkin, will you take a bite of these very yellow eggs?”