Heath fidgeted in his seat. “Yes, well, I hope you find the man you are looking for.”Because it won’t be me.“As much as I would like to accept your invitation, I’m afraid I have other engagements that I must attend to.”
“Very well. Perhaps another time.”
“Perhaps.” He shook Mr. Wilcott’s hand and left.
As he walked down the hall, Heath got that feeling again. His gut told him something was amiss. Miss Wilcott was leaving for Paris, and he’d just seen the mysterious stranger she’d spoken to in the past enter The Painted Pony. It couldn’t be a mere coincidence, could it?
Heath descended the steps outside the house, but the knot of unease would not let up. The last time he’d had this feeling and ignored it, he’d ended up with a bullet in his leg. He wouldn’t be so foolish as to ignore his instincts again, but he couldn’t very well go back in and question Mr. Wilcott about his daughter. There had to be another way.
The groom brought his horse around. Seeing the servant gave Heath an idea.
“I heard Miss Wilcott is getting ready for a trip. I assume her maid is going with her.”
“No, sir. Hildie stays here when Miss Wilcott is going on brief trips.”
“I’m surprised she can cope.” He chuckled.
The groom joined in.
“Have a good day.”
“Thank you, sir.” The servant tipped his hat.
Heath trotted down the lane until he came to the main road. Once he was out of sight of the house, he doubled back, crossing over the fields to come around to the back of the house. He wanted to question the maid, Hildie. Servants always knew what was going on, and he needed answers. Something told him Miss Wilcott may not be the sweet, innocent lady everyone thought she was.
* * *
Kane alighted from the train, excited to see Heath. It had been four days, but Kane had been busy with going to the solicitors to finalize his inheritance from his uncle. It was getting dark since he’d taken the last train from London. Hopefully, he could find a horse to hire to get to Stokesby Manor.
“Kane.”
He turned to see Caroline waving at him. “Hello, Caroline.”
“How are you? I didn’t know you were away.”
“I was in London for a few days.” He would tell her the details later, but for now, he wanted to get on the road. “Anything new since I’ve been away?”
“No, it’s been quiet. No girls have gone missing.”
“Good. I’ll try to speak with you tomorrow if I can.”
“Very well. Have a good night.”
They parted ways. Kane went to the first stable he found, but there were no horses for him to use to make the trip to the house. There were other stables, so he went to the next, but was out of luck there as well. At this rate, he would have to either find a place to sleep for the night or walk.
As Kane headed down the street, a figure caught his eye. At first it looked like a young boy, but the longer Kane studied the figure, he noticed blond curls escaping from under the cap. Then he realized it was Josephine Wilcott. What the devil was she doing dressed as a boy?
His curiosity piqued, Kane followed her at a safe distance. The young woman kept to the shadows, looking neither left nor right. She knew where she was going. The hour was not yet so late that the streets were deserted so Kane could easily blend in, lessening his chances of being spotted. Miss Wilcott ducked behind a building, and Kane did the same. From there she meandered through alleyways like she had done it a thousand times.
Questions raced through Kane’s mind. Finally, she came to the back door of a brick building. From the outside, Kane couldn’t tell if it was a business or private residence. She opened the door, but not before she glanced over her shoulder. Kane ducked behind a barrel, out of sight. She slammed the door behind her.
Why would a gently bred woman like Miss Wilcott dress up as a lad and be scurrying around in the shadows? He was going to find out. Kane leaned against the wall, determined to wait and see.
Dusk turned into nightfall. Kane wasn’t sure how long he’d been there. At some point, he’d sat on the ground, knowing he would hear any commotion if the door opened.
His patience paid off when the door at last opened. He sprang to his feet. The young lady wasn’t alone. Miss Wilcott held two girl’s hands and led them back down the alley. Kane had to find a place to hide, or he’d be discovered. He quickly squeezed himself between the barrels and the wall, hoping he blended in with the shadows. No one raised an alarm.
The girls with Miss Wilcott did not make a sound. No protests, no screams, nothing. So they were going with her willingly, but where?