“Given your delicate condition, I will have the carriage ready for your departure. It will take you to London or where you wish to go. I am certain you cannot expect a recommendation from this house. Good day to you, Miss Bellamy.”
Lady Esther swept from the room, leaving Sarah frozen in a state of extreme shock and despair.
* * *
Robert reached homeseveral hours after being called away to assist tenant farmers. The work had been furious and swift, but alongside the farmers and workers from the estate, they had built a deep trench to allow the water to run away from their homes and fields. It was recent construction by a neighbor that had caused the issues and allowed for a few homes to flood. Robert had ordered for them to be given new houses and all their furniture replaced at his cost.
He noted the hallway was quiet, with no joyous laughter from the girls. As he headed toward the study, his sister Esther came from the drawing room looking harried. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she held a handkerchief in her hand.
“You have been crying,” he said. “What has happened.”
“Oh, Robert, it is the most dreadful news. It’s Miss Bellamy.”
Ice gripped his chest. “What about Sarah?” he demanded, looking behind her.
“She is not here, I turned her out, and the carriage left with her about an hour ago.”
Something painful lodged against his stomach. “What?”
“Yes, Robert, she is not the person we thought she was, and I do not believe it wise to keep a woman of her loose morals around the girls. She is bound to set a terrible example. I knew something was off from the manner of her teaching them. Girls need stability, not traipsing through woods and sitting out there for hours painting woodland creatures—”
“Esther,” he snapped, slapping his hat against his thighs. “Why is Miss Bellamy gone?”
His sister’s cheeks turned a bright red. “She is withchild.”
“What?”
“Yes, that was my reaction as well, brother. I never knew she had it in her. Miss Bellamy did not seem to realize herself. Though I am angry at her lack of discretion and proper conduct, I was so pained on her behalf to see the shame and tears in her eyes when she walked out those doors. Now that my anger has cooled, I am worried about her survival. But surely, we cannot have an unmarried pregnant worker here. Think of the girls and the potential scandal!”
Guilt and shame sank its claw into him. He should have offered for her the first day she arrived to be his girls’ governess. He scrubbed a hand over his face. What a damn fool he had been. How alone and frightened she must have felt. Robert damn well wished she had opened her door last night. He had not pushed her but had resolved to knock again tonight until she answered, and then he would bear his heart to her. He rubbed the spot on his chest where he swore it physically ached. “Did she leave any messages for me?” he demanded gruffly.
“Of course not!” Esther appeared so astonished at the idea.
Robert continued down to his library, searching his desk to see if Sarah had left any letters. “Did she say where she would go?”
“No, but I suppose we could ask the coachman when he returns. I instructed him to deliver Miss Bellamy where she desires.”
Fuck. They could be headed anywhere. Robert’s thoughts whirled. “In your conversations, has she mentioned any other family or friends apart from her cousin.”
“I…I regret to say we did not speak about her family,” Esther said, “But Robert, I do not understand. Why are you asking these questions?”
He turned to his sister. “Because that child is mine, Esther, and I cannot bear for Sarah to think she needs to be ashamed of what happened between us or that she might be facing this alone.”
“Yourchild?” Esther pressed a hand over her mouth. “Robert! How I must have wounded her.” She closed her eyes, pained. “I am so terribly sorry, Robert.”
“I must find her, but I cannot be certain she is headed to London. I must take the risk and see.”
He lengthened his strides, calling for his thoroughbred stallion to be prepared. A short time later, he was racing down the country lanes leading from his estate to London. The roads were wet, and deeply mired with mud from the continuing rains, so the carriage would be expected to move slowly and leave noticeable wheel tracks. Once he had cleared the driveway, he urged his horse into a flat-out gallop, hoping that no one else would be so foolish to be on the roads in this deluge of rain. He must catch up with her, he must not lose her, now that he knew how much he loved everything about Sarah. The rain lashed down, driving into his face, and soaking through his clothing, but he cared little for the weather. He only knew that he must reach Sarah and bring her back. He would not live without her at his side.
Robert had been riding at a hard pace for over an hour when he spied his own carriage in the distance. Luckily it had only been harnessed to a team of two. He urged his horse onward until he had caught up with the carriage. The coachman and the tiger recognized him, and they slowed the horses, pulling the carriage to a stop. They looked as bedraggled as himself and thoroughly miserable being out in such dreadful weather. Dismounting from his horse, he opened the carriage door and launched himself into the carriage.
“Robert!” Sarah gasped, wiping the tears which were running down her cheeks. Her chest heaved as he watched her try to suppress her sobs and regain some control over her emotions.
There was a sharp twist inside his chest, and when he leaned forward to touch her cheek, she shrank away from his touch. Lowering his hand, he said, “I am sorry for what Esther did. I am sorry for what I did, how could I be such an utter fool?”
Sarah lifted her chin. “She told you.”
His gaze lowered to where she had a protective hand across her belly. “Yes.”