“If we’re all here, where could she have gone?” Ashley pressed.
Rotheworth nodded slowly. “I’m not sure, but I do know Paisley left the estate just under an hour ago. Took a carriage. Bumped my shoulder on the way out—with that air about him.”
Thomas made wide eyes and groaned.
Sebastian’s head snapped toward him. “What?”
“Yes.” Rotheworth crossed to the decanter and poured himself a drink, as if this were any ordinary conversation. “I saw it myself. Polished black carriage. Looked like he was in a rush.”
Sebastian took a slow, deliberate step forward. “Did he say anything?”
“Not to me. I didn’t think too much of it.”
Ashley’s eyes widened. “Wait… do you think…?”
Lady Charlene shook her head. “Surely not…”
Thomas turned to Sebastian. “He wouldn’t dare.”
Sebastian’s voice came out low and rough, like gravel ground beneath a boot. “He would. If he thought he had no other chance, if he was desperate enough, he’d find a way to get her alone. To trap her.”
Ashley’s hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes were wide, shimmering. “Maddie would never meet Paisley alone. And someone would have seen if he carried her off—kicking and screaming—someone would have heard.”
Sebastian said nothing. His mind turned the idea over like a knife in his hand.
Not if she went willingly. Not if she didn’t know.
“Oh dear,” Lady Charlene said softly. “Do you think he forged a note?”
The floor seemed to tilt beneath him. Sebastian froze. His breath stopped.
That was exactly what Maddie would respond to, some cheeky invite…
His voice dropped to a whisper. “He could have. And if she thought it was from me…”
“She’d go,” Ashley breathed. Her voice cracked with certainty. “She’d go without question.”
“Hold on,” Rotheworth said. “Do you truly believe Paisley would do something like this?”
“Yes.”
The word dropped like a cannon shot.
Sebastian’s jaw tensed. His pulse surged with cold dread. Even if they were wrong, that would be fine. But if they were right—
“Then we haven’t a moment to lose.”
Thomas was already at the door. “We’ll check the route to town.”
Sebastian was right behind him, his strides swift and silent.
Maddie, where are you?
He turned to Ashley, every muscletight with dread. “What does Paisley want with Maddie?”
Ashley’s lips parted—but no words came. She looked stricken. When she finally spoke, it was only a whisper. “There’s been talk.”
She bit her lip hard, as if to keep the rest inside.
