Arabella frowned. Where could Frances be going at that time of the morning? And why was there no one with her except Sir John? She quickened her step, abandoning George to a groom’s care without her usual hug.
She ran headlong into Theodore as she went up the marble steps to the main door and through it into the tiled hallway.
“Where are you off to in such a hurry, puss?” he asked with a grin, gripping her by the arms to steady her.
“Do you know where Frances was going?” she asked. “She just got into a phaeton with Sir John and drove off somewhere.”
He frowned. “Just the two of them?” he asked.
She nodded. “Oh, it is too bad of her, Theo,” she said. “She really ought not to be doing anything so improper. I must find his lordship and get him to ride after her with me. I dare not go alone or he will be dreadfully cross.”
“I should think so too,” Theodore said. “Go and change into some riding clothes quickly, Bella, while I try to find out where they were headed. I shall see if there are two horses left in the stables that can be saddled up for us. You will have to have me for an escort. Astor has not returned yet.”
Ten minutes later they were on their way to Sir John Charlton’s country home, hoping that the groom who had held his horses’ heads for a few minutes was correct in his assumption that that was his destination.
Frances was feeling dreadfully afraid by the time the phaeton drew to a halt outside a square red-brick house. There was no sign of either Arabella or Mr. Hubbard or of anyone else for that matter, except a groom who appeared from around the far side of the house and came to steady the horses while Sir John vaulted to the ground and turned to lift her down. Suddenly he seemed like a total stranger, and a rather menacing one at that.
“Where is Bella?” she asked as he set her on her feet and kept his hands at her waist for rather longer than was necessary.
“Perhaps inside the house,” he said, “or more probably still on the way here. She was exercising that dog of hers, if you will remember. Come inside, Miss Wilson. You will be ready for some refreshments.”
“Oh, no,” she said, “not until Bella comes, sir. Will you show me the flowers? They look quite splendid. Mama prides herself on the flower gardens at Parkland, you know.”
“Indeed?” he said. “Perhaps another time. We will step inside out of the cool breeze.”
“Will you call your housekeeper?” Frances asked nervously as he took her by the elbow and led her over the threshold. “Perhaps she will stay with me until Bella comes.”
“I am quite sure she will not,” he said firmly. “I do not encourage servants to linger in rooms which I am occupying, Miss Wilson. Come now, step inside the salon here. You will hear your sister the moment she arrives.”
“Will you send for tea?” Frances crossed the room to stare out of the window. “I am rather thirsty, sir.”
“Are you?”
She jumped and felt her heart begin to thump. She had not heard him come up behind her. He set his hands on her shoulders, caressing them with his palms.
“Yes, I am,” she said quickly. “I do believe I forgot to have tea with my breakfast. It was very careless of me, but the weather was so glorious that I was in a hurry to go outdoors.”
They both saw Lord Astor riding up to the house at the same moment. Sir John muttered an oath and released his hold on her. Frances sighed with relief and felt her knees turn weak.
“I shall ring for tea immediately, then,” Sir John said with a bow, crossing the room to the bell pull. “Perhaps Lord Astor will have some too. Or perhaps something stronger. I shall have to wait to ask him.”
When Lord Astor was shown into the salon, it was to find an unsmiling but genial host and Frances standing at the window looking out at the garden. She turned when he was announced.
“Ah, Astor,” Sir John said. “What a pleasant surprise. Miss Wilson has joined me for tea, as you can see. May I offer you some, or perhaps something more palatable?”
“I was out riding with Farraday and saw you drive past,” Lord Astor said with a smile. ‘‘The chance of seeing your home seemed too good an opportunity to miss, Charlton. Good morning, Frances.”
‘‘Good morning, my lord,” she said, her eyes looking a suspiciously bright shade of blue.
‘‘I am delighted you decided to follow us,” Sir John said with a bow. “Perhaps after refreshments I can show you and Miss Wilson something of the house and garden. My servants keep both immaculate even though I am rarely here.”
“Your maid is in the kitchen, Frances?” Lord Astor asked, strolling across the room to look out through the window next to the one against which she stood.
“N-no, my lord,” she said, “I did not bring a maid. Bella is on her way here with Mr. Hubbard. I expected that she would be here already, but she is exercising George.”
“Indeed?” Lord Astor said. “How fortunate, then, that I arrived when I did.”
“Y-yes,” she said.
