It was at just that moment that a carriage, driven rather fast, was heard on the drive outside, the occupant calling loudly as he descended. The marquess’s eyebrows rose at this unseemly arrival, and it was no surprise when the door opened moments later to admit the newcomer.
It was somewhat more of a surprise that it was a somewhat agitated Mr Franklyn.
“Embleton, I have bad news,” he said tersely. “I regret to inform you that the Lady Euphemia has run away with Lord Grayling.”
“Nonsense,” the marquess said robustly. “My sister is a d-dreadful flirt, Franklyn, but she kn-knows where the line of p-propriety is drawn.”
“Read this letter she left for Lady Olivia,” Franklyn said, thrusting a paper at him, “and then tell me that she knows what she is about.”
The marquess held the letter in his hands, frowning and motionless, as if he could not quite grasp the meaning of the words. Then he groaned. “Just when I think that minx has done her worst she comes up with some even more outrageous scheme. What on earth am I to do with her?”
“My carriage is outside and at your disposal, my lord,” Franklyn said. “We can be after them as soon as your man can pack a bag for you.”
“We?”
“Lady Euphemia was left in my charge,” Franklyn said grimly. “The failure is mine and thus I offer whatever aid is at my disposal, but we cannot delay if we are to have any chance of catching them before...”
His words trailed away, but they all knew what he meant.Before it is too late. Before she is irredeemably ruined.
“You are right, Franklyn, we must make all haste to follow them, however futile it may prove,” the marquess said, crumpling the paper in agitation. “Never mind the bag. My man can follow in my carriage. I need only my greatcoat. Come, man, let us be off at once. Kiltarlity, you will excuse me for rushing away, I am sure.”
“Are they gone to Scotland? If you can catch up with them in time, you may take Lady Euphemia to my mother and sisters at Strathinver. That can be passed off as a planned visit. In fact, I can undertake to tell everyone that is what has happened. It will explain your absence as well as your sister’s.”
“Ah… an excellent notion,” the marquess said. “Thank you, Kiltarlity. You are the best of good fellows.”
He pumped Robert’s hand vigorously.
“God speed, Embleton, and may you find them soon.”
And then he was gone, Franklyn in his wake, leaving Robert alone to ponder the strange ways of the nobility. And the foremost thought in his mind was that Olivia could not now fall into Grayling’s clutches. It was oddly cheering.
17: Reputations
Robert abandoned any plan to return to Chilford Lodge before he reached the end of the Pelham House drive. That foolish girl had run away with Grayling, and poor Olivia would be distraught. She was such a sensitive soul that she would feel the disgrace as deeply as if it were her own. He would go directly to Briar House and see how she was bearing up. He could also spread the story that Embleton was taking his sister to Strathinver, for who knew what rumours might spring up once it became known that Effie had vanished?
He had expected the house to be as lively as a stirred anthill with one of its inhabitants having vanished, but all was quiet. The butler received him serenely, assuring him that several of the gentlemen were taking an early breakfast, if he wished to join them.
“What of the ladies?”
The butler smiled knowingly. “I believe the Lady Olivia is there too, my lord, with the Lady Esther Franklyn.”
Olivia looked rather pale, he thought, as he was shown in to the breakfast parlour. She was holding a bun of some sort, but she dropped it in surprise when he was announced. Lady Esther watched him warily over the rim of her coffee cup. It was Miss Bucknell who rose to greet him.
“Lord Kiltarlity! What a delightful surprise! Will you join us for breakfast? There is a seat beside Lady Olivia. Thomas, some coffee for his lordship.” As Robert slipped gratefully into the designated place, she went on, “What brings you to our door so early, Lord Kiltarlity?”
It was the opening he wanted. “I had business with Lord Embleton, but found him on the point of departure.”
Lady Esther lowered her coffee cup slowly.
“Departure? Is he leaving Leicestershire so soon?” Miss Bucknell said.
“He is. Lady Euphemia had a whim to be gone, so I invited Lord Embleton to take her to my mother at Strathinver. My sisters will be delighted to have company there.”
“Oh.” Miss Bucknell gave a little frown of puzzlement. “So Lord Embleton will wish to collect the Lady Euphemia this morning?”
Robert laughed easily, reaching for a bun. “I think you will find that Lady Euphemia has already left, Miss Bucknell. She is a regrettably impetuous young lady. Lord Embleton has his hands full there.”
“Already left!” she said in astonishment. “Without a word of farewell? Surely not!”
