The dog let out a series of high wines and barks, clearly just as pleased to see his friend. A young girl of about twelve hurried over and squealed her happiness when she saw the duke. She hurtled herself at him, and he enfolded her into a hug. Mrs. Adams cleared her throat, and the little girl flushed, before drawing back and dipping into a most elegant curtsy.
Theo was charmed. The duke stood and returned her bow was exaggerated civility and charm. The young girl giggled before turning curious eyes to Theo. Introductions were made, pleasantries exchanged, and promises extracted that they would be at tonight’s village fair. A may day spring celebration.
They had both promised it before remounting and trotting away.
“You were Horatio’s master once?” the dog had seemed very sad to see the duke leaving.
“I was. We both saved Elise the last time I was here from a drowning. She had nightmares after, and the only thing that soothed her was his presence.”
Theo recalled the love she’d seen on the duke’s face just now when he greeted his dog.
“It must have been painful to part from him.”
“She needed him more than I did, and he was quite happy to stay with her.” That guarded look once more entered the duke’s eyes. “Perdie is not here,” he said slowly and distinctively.
Sudden awareness filled Theo. The anxiousness of hoping was the reason he’d stopped. “You are thinking if she was here…”
“Mrs. Adams would surely have mentioned it.”
“We cannot know the full of it until we reach the cottage.” Perhaps Perdie was there and was being very discreet. Theo doubted it, and the heaviness inside her grew. She prayed he would find his sister at the cottage. England was so vast. Though the duke was undoubtedly wealthy and had the resources to hire many people to aid him, his sister could be irrevocably lost to him and his mother.
They rode in silence for several more minutes until a large house loomed in the distance. It was surrounded by a park wall and miles of rolling lawns and forestry.
The ‘cottage’ was a charming manor situated on a small hill, overlooking the village. Once they reached the forecourt, they dismounted and handed their reins to a waiting groom. Sebastian made his way inside, and Theo hurried to keep up with his long strides.
The housekeeper greeted him with surprised gladness, dipping into a deep curtsy. She was very pretty and a plump woman of uncertain age. She wore a lace cap, and soft red hair curled along her nape and at her forehead.
“Mrs. Thomas is Lady Perdita here?” the duke asked abruptly, walking down the hallway and into a large room which revealed itself to be a tastefully furnished drawing room.
The housekeeper flushed and hurried to speech, “A few days ago she was here, Your Grace, but she departed the very next day.”
Theo gasped. Why would Perdie leave so soon?
Sebastian scrubbed a hand over his face with a hand that visibly trembled. “Was she hurt?” he demanded gruffly.
“Your Grace,” the startled housekeeper cried. “Nay! Milady was as fit as a fiddle.”
“Was there anything that aroused suspicion in your mind? Anything that made you feel worried for her?”
Mrs. Thomas shook her head most vigorously. “I merely thought it unseemly Lady Perdie traveled with only that companion and a lady maid. I saw no footmen or coachmen in your livery, Your Grace. And she left something for you.”
She bustled away and return a few moments later, a letter in her hand. “Lady Perdie directed me to hand you this letter should you come here, or to mail it to you in London after a week has passed.”
Sebastian took it, and it was clear the Mrs. Thomas wanted to know what was happening but dared not ask in fear of overstepping. She bobbed a curtsy and withdrew. At the door she paused, and turned around, looking quite anxious. “There was something else, Your Grace.”
“Tell me.”
“Lady Perdie walked with a bow and arrows and also a fencing sword.”
This was received with evident incredulity. “A bow and arrows?”
“Yes, Your Grace. I thought she might have wanted to practice her arrows, so I instructed Jarvis to set up straws targets thirty feet apart on the eastern section of the lawns.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Thomas.”
She bobbed and hurried from the room.
Sebastian stared at the letter, his expression carefully guarded. Theo suspected he was knotted inside, and silently padded away to afford him privacy. She would find the housekeeper and introduce herself.