Since she was not going to ignore the dowager’s wishes, she thanked Millie for her assistance and joined the ladies downstairs. There were several gentlemen present, as well. But the dukes were the ones the young ladies were hoping to see, so supper turned out to be a subdued affair.
They were just finishing the meal, enjoying a lemon syllabub, when the dukes and Lord Covington returned. Table manners fled as everyone jumped from their seats and raced into the entry hall to hear the latest news.
Harriet’s heart sank because the men appeared defeated.
“No, we did not find her,” Pendrake confirmed in response to everyone’s question. “Not a trace. However, we did receive confirmation that a man matching Arlington’s description was seen in the area shortly before Lady Beatrice disappeared.”
“I’m so sorry, Covington,” the dowager said with sincerity. “If there is any good to be found in this sad situation, it is that your daughter might find happiness married to this man.”
“I hope their marriage is blighted,” he growled, and strode into the duke’s study muttering something about needing a drink.
As others began to follow Covington and the dukes to the study, Harriet remained in the entry hall because she did not think Pendrake wished to set eyes on her ever again.
“Miss Harriet?” Flint said politely.
“The study is crowded enough. I shall be in my room should His Grace ask. I’ll come down if he requests it, but I doubt he will.”
As they stood by the front door which was still open, a young boy walked up. “Sir.”
Flint turned to the lad, somewhat surprised. “What are you doing here at this time of night, Simon?”
“A lady gave me this letter earlier and told me to deliver it to Miss Harriet Comeford at sundown.”
Harriet gasped. “That’s me.”
She took the letter from the boy, her hands trembling as she held it. “This has to be from Lady Beatrice.”
Flint gave the boy a coin.
But as the boy turned to leave, Harriet held him back. “No, wait. I think His Grace will want to speak to you. Flint, please escort the lad into the library. I’ll ask His Grace to join us. Are you hungry, Simon?”
He nodded. “Thirsty too, m’lady.”
Harriet cast Flint a wincing smile. “Could you please…and I expect His Grace will also want something to hold him over since I doubt the gentlemen have eaten yet. And someone ought to take the boy home afterward. He should not walk alone to the village in the dark.”
Darkness fell late in the summer, and sundown did not arrive until ten o’clock at night. Much too late for a boy of Simon’s age to be out and not abed.
Flint grinned. “I shall attend to all of it at once, Miss Comeford.”
“Thank you.” She knew she had overstepped her authority, but Flint did not seem to mind.
She hurried to the study, hoping the duke would not ignore her.
Everyone had gathered around him and Lord Covington, and were tossing questions at them. The duke glanced up when he saw her enter and she tried to discretely motion to him. She was afraid he would ignore her, but he excused himself and motioned for the other dukes and a sadly broken Lord Covington to continue responding to the questions.
“What is it, Harry?” he said gruffly, obviously still peeved.
“This.” She showed him the second letter “A lad called Simon just delivered it. He said it was for me. I had Flint put the boy in your library since I thought you might want to question him.”
The duke nodded. “Good thinking. Come along, let’s read that letter and talk to the boy.”
Once in the library, the duke shut the door behind them to allow for privacy while he engaged the lad. “But let’s read the letter first.”
Harriet’s hands were still trembling as she carefully unsealed it.
Dearest Harriet,
Please forgive me for embroiling you in my escapade, but I hoped you would be the voice of reason and allay my father’s fears. Captain Arlington is an excellent man and will take good care of me. I know you were worried for me, but be assured my captain has a charming estate on the Exmoor coast, fully staffed with servants, so I shall want for nothing. I turned one and twenty last month, and am now of age to marry without my father’s consent. My dear captain and I have waited for this moment since I was sixteen years old and he, two and twenty. Please let my father know he will always be welcome into our home, provided he is polite to my husband. Yes, he is my husband. We secretly married the day after my birthday, so please do not blame yourself. You are without fault. I am truly sorry I involved you in my scheme. But I hope you can understand why I had to send the first missive asking you to meet me at the stable at six o’clock. I was long gone by then, but how else was I to delay others from following me? I had to make them think I would meet you at that hour. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me, my dearest Harriet. I think we would have been great friends had we spent more time together. Wishing you every happiness.
