Philip stared at him.
Arabella tugged at his sleeve. “I think he is telling the truth,” she said gently.
“God knows you have no cause to trust me. But I am indeed speaking the truth. The boy is not with me, nor have I any hand in his disappearance.” He frowned. “In fact, this is worrisome. If you like, I can help find him. I have connections with the Bow Street Runners.”
Philip felt the blood drain from his face. “It hasn’t come thus far.”
The duke summoned the butler. “If he is not in his usual places, I strongly suggest we hire the Bow Street Runners. Let me do that for you.” The duke placed a gnarly hand on his arm.
Philip looked at it. Then he nodded.
Morley looked relieved. “In the meantime, continue looking. I will notify you if there is news.”
Philip and Arabella left the duke’s home. “I blame myself,” Philip said. “I should’ve given him more attention. Where could he have gone?”
“Have you checked Hyde Park? He’s been talking about the balloons, so maybe he wanted to see the place where the last ascent was.” Arabella suggested.
Philip’s face brightened. “Of course! Let us go there right away.”
But he wasn’t at the park.
With every minute that passed that Robin wasn’t found, Philip’s panic grew. They returned to his grandfather’s house, where the butler informed them that the Bow Street Runners were already scouring the streets.
Morley joined them in the drawing room, wearing an embroidered banyan. The worry in his eyes seemed authentic.
“What is taking them so long to return with news?” he muttered and hobbled outside to consult with his butler.
Philip collapsed in an armchair.
Arabella sat next to him. “They will find him,” she said in a soothing voice.
He uttered a hollow laugh. “Ironic that I am applying to my grandfather, of all people, for help.”
Arabella hesitated before she said. “I understand what you went through as a child was a terrible experience for you. There is no excuse for that.” She hesitated before she continued. “He told us the story of how your mother died. It seems to have been an accident. He admitted to having been responsible and took the blame. I also had the impression your grandfather, at least in part, seems to feel some regret for his actions, for the way he has treated you and your mother. He seems sincere in wanting to make amends.”
Philip leaned his head against the armchair’s upholstery and closed his eyes wearily. “Maybe. I don’t know. I don’t care about what my grandfather feels or doesn’t feel. I only care about my son.” He opened his eyes and regarded Arabella. “Nothing matters to me more than my children. Nothing.”
Lowering her head, she nodded. “Of course. It wouldn’t be natural otherwise.” Maybe he imagined it, but she seemed to wilt just a bit. He pulled a hand through his thick hair. “I was unfair to you earlier. I made unfair accusations. For that I apologise. I always prided myself in being an even-tempered man.” He pulled a wry smile. “I suppose I’ve got a temper, after all.”
She acknowledged his apology with a nod and played with the golden teaspoon. The tea, untouched, had long gone cold.
“There is another idea that I have.” She sat up straight. “How could I have been so foolish as not to think of this earlier?”
Philip looked at her with incomprehension. “What do you mean?”
“I think I know where Robin is.” She got up.
“Where?”
Arabella took several steps to the door, turned and with a deep breath said, “Do you trust me?” There was something in her eyes that made him realise that his answer to this question mattered.
He floundered and flailed. “Um.”
Not the right answer. Arabella seemed to think so, too. Her shoulders slumped as she turned away.
“Of course I do,” he said a tad too quickly. “But what does this have to do with Robin?”
“Come with me,” she said, putting on her bonnet.
