‘Thank you for rescuing me, Harriet,’ said Grace.
‘Rescuing you? See here, Grace, I do not know what you two were about, but it will not do.’ Her nails sank into Grace’s hand most painfully. ‘Is this why you left your husband, over some foolish infatuation for another man? I was not aware you even knew Caville.’
‘No. You misread what you just saw. I loathe him.’
Her brows knitted. ‘Why do you loathe that gentleman when he is all chivalry and generosity when he has been in my company?’
Of course he was chivalrous to a woman who was not penniless and helpless and thus prey to his appetites. Grace considered telling Harriet the truth about Caville, but how could she when he was a firm friend of Gilbert? Caville’s attempt to make her his mistress was disgusting, revealing his degenerate character, but if she confessed it, then it would only degrade her in her friend’s eyes. So she dissembled.
‘Caville is a friend of my Uncle Charles and I find him rather proud and vain, that is all.’
‘Oh, so you are determined to taint him by association with your Uncle Charles.’
‘No, Harriet…I…it is just that.…’
‘Oh, never mind,’ said Harriet with an impatient shake of her head, blonde curls bobbing. ‘Let us make haste. Go and get your coat, Grace. We must go before Gilbert finds out.’
***
In a temper of epic proportions, Rawden burst into the kitchen at Causton House to find Reeves seated before the fireplace, calmly patting his dog’s head. He did not flinch when Rawden started shouting.
‘Why are you here, Reeves? I told you to go and search the streets.’
‘I take it she was not at her uncle’s, or he would not own to it,’ the man replied.
‘She was not there. If she had been, the fool would have confessed because he is afraid of me.’
‘No point in searching then. I have been all over and found no trace of your wife,’ he shrugged. ‘If she wants nought to do with you, best let the little rabbit run. She will write to you when she wants money.’
‘What?’
Reeves sighed. ‘What were you thinking, Master, taking a wife and one destined for your brother, too?’
‘Hold your tongue, or I swear I will cut it out,’ hissed Rawden.
‘No, you won’t because I am speaking sense and the truth, as I always do, whether you want to hear it or not. You are too rough for that gentle young soul to handle, and you know it. What did you hope to gain?’
‘A home. A family. A marriage, Reeves. I wanted something sweet and clean and pure for a change.’
‘With an unwilling, desperate bride. You are not your brother, Rawden. He was a calm, steady soul.’
‘And I am the opposite, of course. Bad blood will out, as they say.’
‘Aye, there is a black river of folly running through your soul, to be sure. But you are not so black of heart as the late earl - cold, selfish and uncaring. I would not still be in your employ if you were.’
‘Carry on, old man, and you will find yourself out of my employ.’
‘What I mean to say is, do not become a bully where you seek to protect. That is what your father would do. If you set out on an honourable course, you must stick to it.’
‘I have been honourable, as far as I am able. When last I left Grace, she seemed downcast but not distressed enough to run away.’
‘Surely you know that women hide themselves well, and a great deal festers beneath the surface. One never knows what they are thinking, and it’s not as if you ever troubled yourself with asking.’
Reeves sighed into the fire, and the dog rolled over and showed its belly. Rawden boiled with frustration and worry. His pride would not accept that Grace had run away. ‘What if she did not run? What if she was taken?’
‘Taken?’
‘Get me a carriage. I am going to pay a visit to a certain Caville Sharp.’
