“I don’t need?—”
“You do need supplies. We don’t know how long this will take. We’ve sent messengers ahead to find out what they can. We’re not just sitting around doing nothing. Remember that.”
Silas nodded, feeling a little better. “Fine. I’m going to pack and leave instructions for the household. But then after that, we should set out.”
“We’ll be ready.”
Helena’s wrists ached but she didn’t stop trying to pull them loose. Whoever had tied her, however, had done a thorough job. The ropes seemed to get tighter the more she struggled.
She began to shout for help. Her voice was already hoarse from the cold and her previous attempts to call for help. She felt as if she might soon lose her voice.
“Excuse me, guards?” she called.
She could hear them talking outside the door and knew they could hear her, but they ignored her call.
“Guards!” she yelled louder, to no avail.
“I’m hungry. Are you not going to feed me?”
There was still no answer. She panted for a few minutes, thinking hard.
“I feel quite sick,” she said at last. “If I die without telling Uncle James what my husband has planned for him, he’ll have your heads.”
The talking outside the door abruptly stopped.
One of the messengers they had sent came riding back as they were crossing the border between Highcliff and Downfield.
“Your Grace, I inquired with our man at Downfield. He confirmed that James Porter and the Dowager Countess left last night. They went to a second property they own in the downlands near the abbey. I inquired whether they knew where Lady Amelia or the Duchess were, but all they could confirm was that they were not at Downfield.”
Silas grunted. “Do you think they are at this second property, or at the abbey?” he asked Benedict.
“I’m not sure, but at least we have a direction of movement. I doubt that they’re far from either one of these locations. We can check them both.”
Silas agreed. “Yes, now let us ride like the wind. We have kept the Duchess and my sister waiting for long enough.”
James stepped into the room, his face like thunder.
“I do hope you don’t think you can push my men around and send them on wild goose chases, Helena. If you have something to say to me, say itnow.”
Helena smirked, “Or else what, Uncle James? What will you do to me otherwise?”
Her uncle raised his arm as if to slap her.
“Do not fall for her provocations, James,” the Dowager Countess said, stepping out from behind him. “You know how much she loves it.”
James growled. “Such an ill-mannered child. It is a wonder you keep your composure around her, my dear,” he said.
Helena’s lips twisted. “And what of my brother? Is he ill-mannered too? What have you done with him?”
Lady Downfield frowned. “Charlie is perfectly fine. The better for being away from you and your rebellious influence.”
“Away fromme?” Helena said in disbelief. “You think that him standing continuously under Uncle James’s sword of Damocles is better than associating with me, Mother?” She shook her head in disbelief.
“What are you on about, silly girl?” Lady Downfield asked irritably.
Helena looked at her mother with disbelieving eyes. “Don’t tell me you don’t know, Mother. Don’t pretend. Not now.”
“Know what?” Lady Downfield asked in annoyance.
