* * *
Christopher and Philliped scanned everywhere they could.
Minutes turned into what felt like hours as they scoured the area. With every passing second, Christopher grew more and more worried.
Where were they? How could he have let this happen?
“Do not worry.” Phillip patted him gently on the shoulder. “I am sure that they are around here somewhere.”
“How is it that you are so composed? I believe I am going to have a breakdown if we do not find them soon.”
Phillip pressed his lips together. “Well, worrying is only going to make the search inefficient, and I do not wish for that. But rest assured, we are going to scan every inch of this park.”
Christopher tried to placate himself with his friend’s words, but it was not proving to be so effective.
Surely, he should take a page out of his book, right? Phillip had years of parenting on him, so his word should hold some weight.
“Edwin, Ernest, Theodosia! Where are you?” Christopher’s voice gave away the desperation he felt.
Then, just as he was about to call out again, he spotted something a few yards away, partially hidden by a cluster of bushes.
“Theodosia!” he shouted, breaking into a run.
Phillip, close on his heels, reached her first.
The sight was something that Christopher had never wished to see. Nor did it do anything to soothe his anxiety on the matter.
Nestled into the shrubbery, Theodosia was lying on the ground, her face pale and her eyes closed.
Phillip dropped to his knees beside her, gently shaking her shoulder. “Theodosia, sweetheart, can you hear me?”
The commotion was enough that even the women caught onto it, and they hurried over.
Esther’s face turned ashen at the sight of her daughter lying so still. “Theodosia!” she cried, her voice cracking with fear.
Slowly, Theodosia’s eyes fluttered open, and she groaned softly. “Papa…”
Phillip’s face broke into a relieved smile, though his voice remained calm. “I’m here, my darling. What happened? Where are Ernest and Edwin?”
Theodosia blinked a few times, looking around as if trying to remember. “A man,” she said weakly, pointing towards the park’s edge. “He took them…”
Christopher’s blood ran cold, and he stood up, his jaw clenched. “Which way?” he demanded.
Theodosia lifted a trembling hand, pointing towards a narrow path that led into a dense grove of trees. “That way,” she whispered.
Christopher felt his heart drop, cold fear gripping his chest.
The worst of what he had feared had happened. The twins were not with Theodosia, and they had no leads on them whatsoever.
“We have to find them,” Frances said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Christopher, please. You have to do something.”
“Stay here and take care of Theodosia,” Christopher instructed. When noticed how pale Esther seemed, he added, “And take care of your sister. She needs you right now, more than ever. And, Phillip, you stay here too.”
Frances nodded, and Christopher could tell that she was trying to be strong for him.
“What should we?—”
Christopher interrupted her. “In fact, it is best that you take the carriage and head back to the estate. It is not good for Esther to be here in this condition, and Theodosia requires rest.”
