Sophia would be in turmoil if she knew of this.
They’d been unable to keep Justin from climbing partially down the cliff from various points, until only a little while ago. He’d finally been convinced by St. John that the family needed him back at the castle — for spiritual and emotional guidance.
He’d reluctantly acquiesced to their wishes.
He’d not been unaffected by the loss of their cousin. Many of those who’d come out to search for Harold grieved. Seeing this warmed Dev’s heart, but it mostly made him ill at the deception of it.
Dev dreaded facing Harold’s parents.
The duchess would be the worst.
He wondered how Sophia fared.
Left a few moments alone, St. John had briefly described how she’d truly seemed devastated when Harold went over. He also admitted that bringing Lady Caroline had been a mistake.
Oh, yes, even Dev had heard the screaming from below, inside of the cave.
It had gone on forever.
Miss Mossant had been the voice of reason, St. John had admitted. She’d comforted her friend in a calm manner and somehow prevented Justin from diving in after Harold.
They waited until sundown to call off the search.
It was too dangerous, they said. If Harold had survived, he would have been found by now.
Damp from spending so much time on the water, Dev entered the castle from one of the side doors. His arms and back ached from rowing. Blisters were forming on his palms.
He would assure himself that Sophia was holding up, and then he would go to his aunt and uncle.
When he entered the foyer that led to her room, consternation filled him. Both the maid and Miss Mossant sat outside. “Is Lady Harold well?” he asked Sophia’s friend.
The protective maid glanced up at him and then toward her mistress’ chamber door, but it was Rhoda who spoke. “She’s locked the door. I think she’s asleep from the draught the doctor gave her.”
Dev did not like to think of Sophia drugged and locked inside alone. Removing a knife from his boot, he approached the lock and picked around inside of it. It was ancient and simple. It clicked open easily.
He could not go to her now, but at least she would not be alone. Glancing at Sophia’s friend, he realized that the day’s events had not been easy for anybody. The normally vibrant young woman looked pale and drawn. A haunted look lurked in her eyes. When he looked down at her hands, he realized they were shaking.
He kneeled in front of her and took both of her hands in his. They were freezing. “You must rest as well, Miss Mossant. Lady Harold will sleep. Allow me to escort you to your chamber.”
“He was there, Captain. One second he was there, and then he was gone.” Her lips looked almost bloodless. The shock of the accident must have been delayed. This was not the woman St. John had described earlier.
He assisted her to her feet. “Where is your chamber, Miss Mossant? Do you have a maid to assist you?”
She nodded but did not seem to hear him.
Penny pointed to the end of the hallway and spoke up. “Miss Mossant’s room is at the end of the foyer, Captain Brookes.” And then with a curtsey, she disappeared into Sophia’s chamber.
Dev escorted Sophia’s dearest friend to her own chamber and then turned to seek out his father and his aunt and uncle.
This devastation was not Harold’s fault.
It was not Sophia’s fault.
Dev would accept much of the blame as his own.
He had ignored the struggles Harold had endured all these years. He’d separated himself from the prejudices and not allowed himself to become involved. Perhaps, he could have done something. He could have said something…
Anything would have been better than this.
