He didn’t know what to call it. It wasn’t love. It couldn’t be.
CHAPTER 21
“Odette, it is time to wake up.”
Penelope went to Odette’s room early the next morning. She wanted to make up for what had happened the night before.
Somehow, her conversation with Alexander made her feel much more empathetic toeveryonethis morning. There was no answer from the girl’s side, however.
Strange, Penelope thought to herself but made nothing of it. It was possible that she had simply over-slept. Penelope crossed the room to the windows and tugged the curtains open slightly to let in the light.
It was then she realized the bed was empty.
Her steps slowed as she approached it.
“Odette?” she called again, a bit louder this time, though the girl was clearly not in the room.
Where could she have gone to? It was truly strange. Penelope did not wish to panic, but she was already beginning to worry. She made her way out of the room and found one of the staff members in the hallway.
“Have you seen Lady Odette anywhere?” Penelope asked quickly.
The maid shook her head.
“No, Your Grace. We haven’t seen her since last night. I assumed she would still be sleeping.”
Penelope scrunched up her nose. “She is not asleep. In fact, she is not in her room at all. Was she at breakfast?”
“I—I don’t believe so, Your Grace,” the maid said. “Would you like me to ask some of the other staff members?”
“No, I will do it myself,” Penelope shook her head. The matter felt too urgent to be left for others to do.
Surely, she must be in the library. Penelope wandered over to it and found another maid inside , dusting along the shelves.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” she greeted, cheerfully. “You are in the library quite early this morning. I am just cleaning it up for you.”
Penelope had little time or patience for small talk at this moment.
“Have you seen Lady Odette?” Penelope walked into the library. “I suspect that she would be at the library. She sometimes comes here early in the morning to read.”
“Ah yes,” the maid nodded. “I often run into her here. Perhaps she is somewhere around the back shelves.”
Penelope nearly ran to the back shelves.
“Odette?” she called out. “Where are you? If you are playing a game with me, this is really not funny. I am growing worried.”
There was no response.
“Your Grace,” the maid appeared again. “Would you like to sit down for a moment? You seem very stressed . I am sure the little miss is around the estate somewhere.”
Penelope felt at a loss.
“She had been fine last night,” she muttered to herself. And then immediately realized that it was not the full truth. Odettehad been strangely distant the night before, when Penelope had broken the news to her that her father had not given permission for the walk.
All manner of wayward thoughts began to enter Penelope’s mind. Her hands tightened themselves up into fists.
Could it be possible that Odette had attempted to run away?
Just the thought alone was so dark, it made her gasp instantly.
