“Do you know where she went?” He knew he shouldn’t be asking Miss Fairchild this, but it was possible Charlotte had told her where she would go.
“Mama says Scotland. I have an aunt who requires a companion.” Miss Fairchild shuttered. “A veritable demon, that woman. I must admit, I don’t envy Drake such an appointment.” And then a pretty sigh. “She should have tried harder at her position here.”
Anthony burst from the chair, knocking it over in the process. She cannot have travelled far in these conditions. A good deal of the snow was already melted but the roads remained muddy and wet. Panic struck at the thought of how vulnerable she would be.
Before he could excuse himself, the viscountess pushed the door opened. “Is everything all right in here?”
Just the person who might hold the answers he needed. As much as he hated revealing too much of his personal inclinations to Lady Denton, his need to locate Charlotte was even greater.
“Your daughter says Miss Drake, has left your employ.”
A satisfied look entered the lady’s eyes. “She has. I dismissed her yesterday afternoon. Was there any particular reason, my lord, that you would be inquiring as to one of our former employee’s current situation?”
In that instant, he knew. Charlotte lost her job because of him.
Yesterday afternoon. She’d known when she saw him last night. Damn his eyes, he should have told her of his plans then. He shouldn’t have left anything to chance.
Shehadbeen telling him goodbye forever. He slipped his hand into the pocket where he carried her locket and grasped it in his palm.
“I wish to speak with the lady. When did she leave?”
Lady Denton flicked some imaginary lent from the sleeve of her dress. “Hours ago.”
“Scotland?”
Another long drawn out pause. “She refused my offer. Foolish girl. If she thinks she’s going to get a reference from me, then she has another thing coming.”
He’d have to strangle this woman before she’d give him the information he needed. With a nod in Miss Fairchild’s direction, Anthony practically sprinted from the room.
What had Daphne told him when he’d first met Charlotte? It had been the vicar who had recommended her to Denton in the first place. He’d have no difficulty finding the vicar. On Christmas morning, he’d be either at home or the church, preparing for services. Wouldn’t he?
What in the hell did a vicar do when he wasn’t preaching from the pulpit anyhow?
He’d damned well be finding out soon enough. He glanced toward Viscount Denton’s closed door. He and the man had had a good relationship for as long as he’d remembered. He’d have to make amends another time.
All he could think of right now was locating Charlotte.
Chapter 11
Christmas Day
“Amen.” Charlotte spoke the word, oh so gratefully.
She’d asked the driver to deliver her to the vicarage this morning instead of Scotland. Kenneth had not complained. Bundled from head to toe, he’d been only too grateful to cancel such a dangerous journey in the midst of winter. As it was, even the short drive to the vicarage took longer than normal.
This was the only place she could think to come today where she wouldn’t be turned away. Mr. Frye the local vicar, had been a friend of her father’s. He was also a man of God.
As luck would have it, Charlotte was not to be destitute after all. But until she could make the journey to meet her aunt, she was grateful for a roof over her head. Mrs. Gibson had given her a shilling when she’d left. Charlotte hadn’t wanted to take it, suspecting it came from the housekeeper’s own pocket, but she hadn’t much choice if she were to make it to London.
Lady Denton had not mentioned Charlotte’s wages when she’d dismissed her.
Hopefully Charlotte could repay the housekeeper someday soon.
If only she could make the journey on foot. That would be foolish though. She needed to be patient. The mail coaches were notorious for running on time but wouldn’t be operating on Christmas day. She wasn’t keen to travel over muddy roads, anyhow and she was, oh, so grateful to be out of the cold.
The vicar and his sister had welcomed her with open arms when she’d arrived just after sun up. She’d stood on their doorstep with nothing but her bag, wearing her well-worn coat, her scarf and the loveliest pair of gloves she’d ever hoped to own.
She’d opened his present as soon as she’d settled onto her cot the night before.
