Again, his aunt shook her head. “At her age, one should believe that all will end well. I fear she has learned otherwise or will soon do so.” She averted her gaze, her throat working. “I failed her in this, though I endeavored to do my best. I fear that she will be the one to pay the greater price.”
“I will find her,” he vowed again and left when his aunt did not reply.
Nicholas took the stairs three at a time, knowing he might never enter this house again. He could not tell what was missing in Helena’s chamber, but he went to his own room to retrieve his few possessions of import. He knew he should not have been surprised that the bank notes he had hidden beneath the floor in his own chamber were gone. Too late he recalled the feminine scent he had detected earlier in the day and knew his sister had been the source. He took his father’s letters, knowing there was little else he needed, then leapt down the stairs, seizing his hat and gloves from the parlor.
Nicholas strode toward Haynesdale House and, more importantly, the stables where Sterling was kept. Melbourne had three hours’ lead upon him and he only hoped he could make up the difference.
It was a long ride to Gretna Green, but the first night the happy pair spent at an inn would damage Helena’s reputation beyond repair. He hoped they rode through this night, and he had a day to catch up with them.
In fact, he might have only hours to save his sister from her own folly.
Nicholas broke into a run.
Eliza heard her brother return at half past ten from his club, which was early for him. He paused to speak to their mother and Eliza arrived at her mother’s room in time to encounter him there.
He smiled and bowed to her, looking purposeful. “I bid you both farewell, for I ride to Dover tonight.”
“Dover!”
“I have business in Paris and will sail with the first tide. Thomson will drive me there and return with the carriage. I will write when my return is imminent.”
“What business?” Eliza asked, but her brother only smiled.
“None of concern to you,” he said, maintaining his mysterious manner.
“But how long will you be gone?”
“It is impossible to say. As mentioned, I will write.” He kissed their mother’s cheek, while she frowned at her plan for the gardens. “Please do not commence upon this endeavor before my return, Maman.”
Lady Haynesdale gave him an intent look. “Then you had best return quickly. The roses can only be moved before they bloom and if their season is compromised by your whimsy, I will be most displeased, Damien.”
“Then I suggest you brace yourself, Maman. I doubt I will return before May.”
“May!”
“It gives you another year to perfect your plan, to be sure.” He bowed then and left, as was his custom, before any more protest could be made. Evidently, he had given instructions as to his packing before leaving for dinner, for he descended the stairs immediately and strode to the stables. Eliza heard the horses stamping and Thomson’s voice. A clatter of hooves soon followed and the house seemed suddenly to yawn with emptiness in Damien’s absence.
“It is a woman,” Lady Haynesdale muttered, moving a placard an increment to the west. “Mark my words, there will be a duchess in this house soon, and the change cannot occur quickly enough to my view.”
“No?”
Eliza won a piercing glance for that. “He grows no younger, Eliza.” She sat down hard and pursed her lips. “Perhaps the reflecting pond should be square.”
Eliza might have helped her mother to draft the new shape, but she heard more ruckus from the hall below. Thinking that Damien had returned for some item, she hastened downstairs, to find Higgins in an uncharacteristic fluster.
“What is it, Higgins?”
“I fear it would be indelicate for me to specify, my lady. Suffice it to say that Captain Emerson has arrived to collect his horse on a mission of some urgency.”
Eliza hurried to the stables to learn the truth herself. Nicholas was saddling his horse, his expression grim, and the stablehands looked alarmed. Even Tupper, the stablemaster, had appeared to look askance on proceedings from the end of the stables.
“What is this?” Eliza demanded of Nicholas. “Do you join Damien?”
“No.” Nicholas looked beyond her, then stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I tell you in confidence that Helena has fled for Gretna Green with Mr. Melbourne.”
Eliza was shocked. “But how? And when?”
“She deceived my aunt with some tale of meeting you here to attend the theater.”
