Helen inclined her head.
“You have heard, I trust, that Margaret has gone missing?”
“I did. Mr. Saxby brought the news from town a few weeks ago. Do you fear some harm has befallen her?”
“I pray not. That is why I am doing everything in my power to find her.”
“Is it?” she asked archly.
Careful, Miss Helen...Margaret thought, worried Miss Upchurch might unintentionally tip her hand.
“Did she leave alone?” Helen asked.
“As far as I know, though she may have taken her maid with her.”
“The maid is missing too?”
He shifted his feet. “She was dismissed from our employ the day Margaret disappeared.”
“May I ask why you are so concerned? The Margaret Macy I remember was young and foolish. Impulsive even.”
Margaret winced.Ouch...
“I hope you take no offense, Mr. Benton?”
“Not at all.”
Nathaniel Upchurch cleared his throat, perhaps aware of the listening ears of many fidgeting servants. He said, “Why do we not continue this discussion in the library. In private?”
Mrs. Budgeon and Mr. Hudson exchanged relieved looks. As Mr. Hudson dismissed the staff to return to their duties, Margaret felt similar relief but also dread, wondering what would be said about her when she was not there to hear.
In the library, Nathaniel leaned against the desk, arms crossed. His brain pounded painfully with Benton’s words “her repentant future husband... future husband...”
Helen took a seat and gestured for Benton to do the same, but he refused her offer and continued to stand.
Helen asked, “So how do you know Margaret hasn’t simply gone off on a lark? A shopping trip or a visit with friends?”
Benton pulled a face. “For nearly a month?”
“Surely she had the means,” Helen said. “A girl like that always has a good deal of money in her purse, has she not?”
Benton looked away. “Actually she did not. We were... forced to stop any allowance to her. Her expenditures had become exorbitant.”
“Ah. And what of friends or family she might have gone to?”
“I have already been to see her friends and sent a man to call on her few remaining relatives. No one has seen her.”
“So you believed they had not seen her but, I take it, question my brother’s word, as you insisted on seeing me?”
Benton fidgeted. It was the first time Nathaniel had seen the man look uncomfortable. “Perhaps you are not aware that your brother Lewis danced with Margaret and paid her several calls in the past and again earlier this season.”
His sister shot Nathaniel a look. “Did he?”
Nathaniel ignored an irrational stab of jealousy and answered coolly, “Lewis dances with any number of women, as you well know. I can assure you, Benton, your stepdaughter was not alone in receiving his attentions.”
“Do you suspect an elopement?” Helen asked, incredulous. “Lewis would never do such a thing. And why would you think Margaret would countenance the notion? I thought you said she was all but engaged to your nephew.”
Sterling stilled. “I never mentioned my nephew. Who told you that?”
