She shoved the relic into her pocket and strode out the door, not even bothering to shut it. She was on a double mission now—to find Pennyandask what the girl knew about the valuable antiquity.
She ran into Dixon the moment she descended the stairs. “Do you know where my sister is?”
The housekeeper angled her head. “I assumed she was with you now, miss.”
“So you did see her? Did she tell you where she was going to look for me?”
Dixon cradled her feather duster like a babe in arms. “I never spoke with her, miss. When Mary went in to draw the drapes, she said your sister’s bed was empty. I merely thought the girl had woken early—maybe suffered a bad dream or the like—and crawled into bed with you as she used to when she was little.”
“No, she did not.” Eva’s finger flew to her mouth, but at Dixon’s frown, she clasped her hands in front of her. “I hate to ask you this again, but would you mind searching the house, please? I will check with Professor Webb, since she visited him the last time I could not find her.”
The housekeeper bobbed her head. “I’ll get on that straightaway, miss.”
After retrieving her hat and coat, Eva crunched across the backyard’s gravel all the way to the cottage Bram shared with his uncle and crew. She rapped on the door, and it swung open.
“Good morning.” Bram grinned as he knotted his bow tie. “I am afraid we’re running a little late for church. Go ahead and leave without us. I shall make sure the fellows sneak in the rear entry on mice feet to avoid Mr. Blackwood’s evil eye.”
“Very good, but my sister should come with me. Is she here?”
Bram’s fingers stilled at his neck. “No.”
Alarm tightened Eva’s throat. “Has she been here?”
Bram shook his head.
Eva froze as Penny’s words of the night before barreled back to slap her in the face.“Maybe it is time forsomething different for me. ... Perhaps it is time I grewup.”
Her throat didn’t just tighten, it closed. Those were the sentiments of a desperate girl, one who wouldn’t think twice about running away.
“Eva, are you all right?” Bram clutched her arm, shoring her up. “You have gone pale.”
She stared up at him, horror wrapping around her like a cold mist. “I need your help.”
Bram would rip out his heart and offer it on a platter if doing so would remove such a frantic look from Eva’s face. Whatever help she needed would be hers, no matter the cost.
“You always have my help, Eva. What do you need?”
“It is Penny. She is gone, and this time she is not with you.” Eva wrung her hands. “It is all my fault! She is probably still cross with me. I should have checked on her earlier this morning. Oh, why did I not check on her?”
“Blaming yourself will not help the situation. Give me a moment while I fetch my hat and coat.” He gently pulled her inside the cottage.
“Good morning, Miss Inman,” Uncle Pendleton called from across the room. The students dipped their heads in greeting as well. Thank heaven they were all in the last stages of getting ready for Sunday service instead of lounging about in shirtsleeves as was the usual.
“There is no time for pleasantries, men.” Bram shrugged into his coat. “Young Miss Penny has gone missing. Lads, I need you to split up. One of you take the barn, the other two walk the route to the dig on the off chance she wandered out there.”
Uncle Pendleton grabbed his hat, wincing from the reach. His back, while better, yet pained him. “I’ll stroll along the front drive and see if Miss Penny has gone that way.”
“Thank you.” Tears strained Eva’s voice.
And broke his heart.
He grabbed her hand and led her out across the drive.
“Where are we going?” The morning sun illuminated the tears shimmering in her eyes. Would that he could pull her to his chest and cradle her until every last one dried up.
But there was no time for that now ... and who knew if there ever would be?
He guided her down an overgrown path that followed a creek. “Remember that old greenhouse? As I recall, there was a time or two you hid in there when you did not wish to be found.”
