“I’m terribly sorry, sir. Please forgive me. My mind was elsewhere.”
Apparently, for the older woman’s eyes were blotchy, as if she had been crying.
“Is something wrong, Mrs. Baum?”
“I don’t want to burden you, sir. Nothing to concern yourself about.”
If there was one thing Heath had promised himself with getting his title, he would never look down nor turn someone away if they were in need.
“Please, Mrs. Baum. If you are in distress, perhaps I may be of assistance.”
He motioned toward the door to the study. The housekeeper nodded and entered the room.
“Please sit and tell me what’s bothering you.”
“It’s the maid, Jessica.”
Heath recalled the young girl, around twenty, very nice, from what he recalled.
“What about her?”
“She’s missing.”
“For how long?”
“Two days.”
“Are you sure she hasn’t just run off?”
Mrs. Baum shook her head. “No. Jessica is a good girl. She wouldn’t do something like that. She’s my goddaughter, sir. I promised her mother I would look after her.” The housekeeper dabbed her handkerchief at her eyes. “I don’t know what to do.”
Heath patted her hand. “We will find her. Is there anyone in Dover who might know? Friends? Family?”
“Her family is from Charlton, about sixty kilometers from here, so she wouldn’t go home.”
“We will find her. I will make inquiries in town and notify the police.”
“Thank you, sir,” she sobbed. “I think they would listen to you better than me.”
“All will be well.”
Heath led the upset housekeeper to the door, then watched her disappear down the hall. Hopefully, he was correct and all would be well. Young girls got fancies into their heads all the time. No doubt, she’d found herself a beau and would reappear in a few days. If not, Heath shuddered to think that something foul had befallen the girl.
There was nothing to do tonight, so Heath continued his trek to his bedchamber. On the way, he couldn’t resist checking Kane’s room. He tapped on the door, but there was no reply. He turned the knob, which opened instantly. One glance showed the room was empty. Kane wasn’t there. He must have left, but where?
A knot of worry twisted in his gut, but there was nothing he could do. Heath didn’t know where Kane had gone. There was nothing for him to do. Besides, Kane was a grown man who could take care of himself. But Heath couldn’t stop the small nagging part of his mind that wondered if he was with someone else. No, Kane wouldn’t do that. Would he?
Sleep refused to come hours after Heath had crawled into bed. His nerves were on alert for the slightest sound. Some time during the early morning hours, he was rewarded when he heard the creaking of floorboards. As quickly as he could with his limp, Heath cracked open his door and peered out. Down the hall he saw a lone figure. It was Kane. What the devil had he been doing? He would get answers in the morning.
* * *
By the time Heath entered the study the next morning, he was tired and agitated. After seeing Kane safely home, instead of relaxing, his nerves had been even worse. He had barely gotten any sleep.
Heath paced the length of the room, waiting for Kane to finally appear. Where was he? Kane was always punctual, but his late night must have made him sleep in. As if reading his mind, Kane appeared in the doorway. Like him, Kane had bags under his eyes and his deportment said he had slept little.
“Good morning,” Kane said. “My apologies for being late. I overslept.”
“Late night?” He wanted to give Kane a chance to explain himself.