As he said it, he glimpsed at Christopher who crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“That is true, Your Grace,” Lady Hazelshire beamed. “By God’s Grace, we all will be.” She looked from Christopher to Catherine, the two exchanging an uneasy nod.
I wonder what became of the spat between Lady Catherine and Rowena. They appeared quite close, seated in the pew. Lady Catherine has been decidedly restrained.
He wished he could see Rowena, to speak to her and discover what had happened after they had so hastily been torn away from one another after the dinner.
She had yet to return from the church and he was growing ever more concerned about the serious expression upon her face.
As the banter between the family and Thornmouth carried on, Christopher felt his feet itching with the need to move toward the church.
Sensing his unrest, Henry leaned into his brother, placing an arm on his shoulder.
“You wish to seek her out, do you not?” he murmured. When Christopher nodded, Henry sighed. “Very well. I shall, once again, rescue you.”
After a few more minutes had passed, Henry began to frantically pat as his waistcoat.
“By Jove, no,” he said quietly, although loud enough that Lady Catherine, who was standing beside him, could hear.
“What is it, Mister Newmont?”
Henry shook his head. “It is nothing, I must be…” he broke off, stuffing his hands inside his pockets, then sighing dramatically. “No, no I did not. I must have–”
“What is it, young man?” the Earl now asked, one eyebrow raised.
Henry shook his head. “I seem to have misplaced my pocket watch. Or rather, my Father’s pocket watch. I had it when we went into the church, for I glanced at it to see if the service began on time. And now it is gone.”
“How dreadful,” Lady Hazelshire exclaimed. “Your Father’s, you say?”
“Yes, it was. I…I must have dropped it in the church. I will do a search, if you will excuse me. Christopher would you assist me?” He looked at his brother with an expression so pathetic Christopher nearly broke into laughter.
Composing himself, he nodded. “Of course, of course. Please, let us go quickly.
The two bade their farewells and set off toward the church when, to their shock, Lady Catherine spoke up.
“I will help you. I have a keen eye and three pairs are better than two.”
Christopher wanted to protest but thought better of it when he saw the determined look in the young woman’s eyes.
“Of course, my lady. I am grateful.” Henry smiled at her and together the three made their way toward the church.
Once they had made it a few steps from the group, Christopher turned back just in time to catch the Duke’s glare. Shuddering, he pressed on.
“You may wish to hide your dislike for the Duke, Your Grace,” Lady Catherine said as they went. Before he could express his surprise at her words, she continued. “Just because my parents have not seen through you does not mean that I haven’t. It is only lucky that I know of your entanglement with my sister and I can assist, for I must say, the two of you are rather hapless.”
She shook her head and looked from one to the other, although she did not speak with maliciousness, rather there was amusement in her voice.
“I do not know what you are talking about,” Christopher meekly replied.
The young girl rolled her eyes at him. “The lost watch was a good ruse. Alas, I knew it to be just that. Mister Newmont, I saw you looking at it in your pocket the moment before you claimed it lost.”
Henry’s eyes widened as he looked at the young woman, a grin playing around his lips.
“Is that the case?”
She nodded with a grin. “Indeed. And for you both to hasten to find it, in the same church Rowena presently is in, was rather obvious as well.”
They were approaching the entrance as the shadow of the large church fell over them, taking away from of the sting of the heat.
