“Your Grace,” the maid looked extremely worried now. “Please, tell me what I can do to make you better. You are going purple in the face from worry.”
“Can you tell the other maids to look for Odette?” Penelope requested. “But make sure the news does not reach Alexander yet. I do not want both of us to worry.”
The maid nodded, and exited the room immediately. Penelope followed her out and made her way downstairs. As she walked, she kept asking the staff if anyone had seen her. But no one had a clue.
That was until she met the gardener.
“Why yes,” he said. “I believe I saw the little lady early in the morning. I meant to ask her why she was awake, as it was quite unusual for her .”
“Did you manage to talk to her?” Penelope’s voice was coming out high- pitched and panicked.
“No, I am afraid she did not look too interested in speaking,” the gardener replied. “I did not wish to disturb her either, as I know she can have a mind of her own at times.”
Penelope pressed her lips together. Her mind was spinning now, and she almost knew for certain that Odette had done something that she ought not to.
“Can you send for Nancy?” she asked the gardener. “I need her outside urgently.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” the gardener said, scurrying away at once.
Penelope did not want to deal with the possibility that Odette had run away, but it would be irresponsible of her not to at least consider it. Her fingers tightened around the front folds of her dress, which had now scrunched up in wrinkles from worry.
“The park,” she whispered to herself. That was the only place Odette could have snuck off to, if she was not anywhere in the estate.
Penelope knew what she had to do.
“Your Grace,” the gardener returned, looking worried. “I have searched the grounds further, but there is no sign of the little miss. Shall I inform the duke?”
“No need,” Penelope said quickly. The last thing she wanted to do was get the duke involved at this stage, for she knew that he would worry far too much. “I shall look for her inside. Perhaps she is in the library.”
The lie rolled off her lips with some difficulty. But she could not let anyone else in the estate get even the slightest hunch that Odette was missing. Otherwise, the news would reach the duke in no time at all.
“Are you certain, Your Grace?” the gardener asked, his tone wary. “Shall I inform the indoor staff to assist you in the search?”
“No need,” Penelope said again, plastering a smile on her face. “I shall see to it myself. You should resume your work for the time being.”
The gardener lingered for a moment, before curtsying and scurrying away. Penelope let out a breath she did not realize she had been holding. Once she was certain that the gardener was out of view, she began to make her way over to the stables.
There was only one thing left to do. If she was to find Odette, she would have to go look for her at the park. That was the only likely place where she could be.
“Hush,” she said to the mare as she stealthily climbed onto its back. She did not want to draw any attention to herself, and hoped to slip out of the estate unnoticed.
The mare galloped into motion, as Penelope steadily lead him out through the gates.
“Going somewhere, Your Grace?” the footman at the door intercepted her halfway. “Shall I call for Fergus or Lewis to accompany you?”
“I am not going very far,” Penelope’s voice shook as she spoke. “Please, do not bother them. I shall be back before you know it.”
“But His Grace has given clear instructions…”
Penelope did not wait for him to finish the rest of the sentence, and was already riding out through the gates. Now that the footman was privy to her leaving, she knew she did not have long before the news reached Alexander.
She had to act fast, if she was going to stay out of trouble. Penelope had never ridden so fast in her life. It was not long until she finally reached the park. She hastily got off her mare, and parked it to the side before rushing inside the park.
The morning sun had not even reached its zenith, and cool air circulated the park’s premises. Looking around, she could hardly see any other people there, only lush green grass and trees that peppered along the walkways of the park. At this hour, there was no wonder that no one else had come to the park.
“Odette?” Penelope called out as she began to navigate the park, the worry settling deeper into the creases of her face for Odette was nowhere to be seen.
Penelope looked around every corner, calling out to her. The park was nearly empty, save for a few curious onlookers who were eyeing Penelope with great curiosity. She ignored them, and continued with her search.
