My best to your family. I remain with respect and affection,
Leona Leonard
“Damnation, ”Deveraux swore as he lowered the letter. In the region of his heart an icy hand clenched.
“May I?” inquired Keirsmyth.
Mutely Deveraux handed it to him.How could she run off like this?Did she misconstrue his anger last night? Did she feel it was all directed at her when it was his fears for her that fanned the flames of his ire?
“Nigel!” called Lady Nevin from the top of the stairs. “Leona is gone! I have a note?—”
“I know, Maman,” he said, cutting her off. He walked to the base of the stairs. “I have one, too. And please lower your voice. We do not need to wake our other guests.”
“Bah!”
Another door farther down the hall upstairs opened, letting out the sound of sobbing. “Oh-h, Lady Nevin! Lady Nev-vin!” cried Maria, coming out of the room.
Lady Nevin hurried toward Maria Sprockett, enfolding her in a warm embrace. “I know, I know. Leona’s gone.”
Maria sniffed and nodded, her handkerchief held up to her nose. She turned to allow Lady Nevin to lead her toward the stairs. Lady Lucy brushed past them. She ran down the stairs.
“Nigel! I’ve looked everywhere, and I’ve sent the other servants out as well, but it is the oddest thing. I can’t find Sarah.”
“Sarah Jewitt? Your dresser?”
She nodded. “I-I think something may have happened to her. I even checked her room. It’s in great disarray—which is not like her at all! And worse, I think—I think there's blood on the bed!"
“Miss Leonard!Is something amiss? What is it, lass?” Mr. Tubbs called out as he ran out of the inn while wiping his hands on his leather apron.
Leona pulled Molly to a stop and tossed the reins to one of the Golden Goose’s ostlers. “I need a horse, Mr. Tubbs. Thefastest one you’ve got!” She jumped out of the small carriage, dragging her portmanteau with her. It bumped heavily against her shins. She stumbled and grimaced at the sharp pain.
“You need another carriage horse?” he asked, watching as his man led Molly toward the stables.
“No, no! A riding horse! I must return to Castle Marin as swiftly as possible.”
“Return to Castle Marin!”
“Yes. Dear Mr. Tubbs, I know I am a sad trial to you, but please trust me. I know what I’m doing.”
He scratched the balding spot on top of his head and looked at her dubiously. “‘Tis mighty late, Miss Leonard.”
“Which is why I’m proposing to ride! It’ll be much faster than by carriage.”
“Excuse me, Miss Leonard,” interrupted Noah Tubbs, coming up next to them. He quickly grabbed the cap off his head and held it before him in both hands, twisting it round and round. “But we don’t have no lady’s saddle.”
She dismissively waved her hand. “I shall ride astride then. It would probably be safer for the pace I’ll be setting. I’ll just tuck my skirts about my legs. They’re full enough. Please, do not think to make any more excuses. It is not a matter of wanting to go today. It is a matter ofhaving to.”
“Now, now, lass,” Mr. Tubbs said, taking her portmanteau from her and leading her into the inn. “You’re talking like it were a matter of life and death.”
She rounded on him,grabbing him by his beefy upper arms. “Mr. Tubbs, it is.”
He scratched his head. “Well, I don’t know?—”
“Mr. Tubbs? Is that Miss Leonard out there with you?” called a woman’s voice from down the hall.
Leona turned toward the voice, a quick smile lighting her face. “Yes, it is, Mrs. Tubbs.” Her smile broadened when she saw an apple-cheeked woman in an oversized mobcap.
“Bless you, child. Mr. Tubbs said you were here earlier. I was right sorry to miss seein’ you. Now, what can the Tubbs family be doing for you?” she asked kindly, taking both of Leona’s hands in hers.
