Her mouth parted. Would she try to refute his charges? Instead, she said, “Thank you for telling me. But perhaps you ought to return to your practice. I will let you know when Sir John is able to communicate his wishes to you.”
“Will you? Now that you know what he asked me to do?”
“Yes, I will.”
He smirked at her. “Are you telling me I’ve worn out my welcome already? Are you asking me to leave?”
He noticed her fisting her hand.
“Of course not, Mr. Lowden. I merely think your interests would be better served by returning to Bristol.”
“And what of Sir John’s interests?”
“Do you not think Dr. Parrish capable? Do you doubt Sir John is in good hands?”
“It is not Dr. Parrish’s hands I worry about.”
For a moment they stared at one another. Lady Mayfield’s cheeks singed red with embarrassment or anger or both. She took a deep breath, clearly fighting to maintain self-control.
“If you will excuse me, Mr. Lowden. I am going to see to my son. And to his humiliated nurse.”
Face fuming, Hannah swept out of the morning room and walked briskly out to the garden to find Becky and Danny. To reassure the girl that she had done nothing wrong. And to gently remind her what not to say. But she saw no sign of them in the garden.
She returned to the house and climbed the stairs. Becky must have slipped inside and up to the nursery without Hannah noticing, so heated was her discussion with Mr. Lowden.
Yet she found the nursery empty, the whole floor quiet. She looked in her room, Sir John’s room, every room, as she made her way back downstairs. Her pulse began to accelerate with each empty room she passed.
She hurried down to the housekeeper’s parlor. “Mrs. Turrill, have you seen Becky? She took Danny out to the garden but they’re not there now.”
The older woman looked up in concern. “Have you looked in the nursery?”
“That’s the first place I went. I’ve searched the whole house except here belowstairs.”
“Probably wandered over to the Parrishes’. Shall I send Kitty round to find out?”
“Please. I’ll search the garden again and the little wood beyond. Becky liked the bluebells there, I remember.”
Mrs. Turrill nodded. “My fault, I’m afraid. Told her they were my favorite.” The older woman rose. “I’ll go through the rest of the house again.”
Dread seeped through Hannah’s veins. A knowing. A fear...
She ran back outside and into the garden, calling for Becky. Remembering the girl’s distraught face as she had last seen it, Hannah prayed,Please, God, don’t let her do anything foolish.
Mr. Lowden followed her out of the house, looking at her in concern, brows drawn low. Only then did she realize tears ran down her cheeks.
“What is it?” he asked. “What’s happened? Is it Sir John?”
“No. Have you seen Becky? She took Danny into the garden when you ... while you and I spoke and now I cannot find them.”
“Have you searched the house? Asked the Parrishes?”
She nodded. “The maid has run over to the Grange, and Mrs. Turrill is going through the house again.”
The young manservant, Ben, came out of the nearby stables, leading a saddled roan. “Here’s your horse, sir. All ready for your morning ride.”
“Thank you, but Becky Brown has gone missing, her young charge with her. Have you seen them?”
“No, sir,” Ben replied, eyes round.
