His words tore through Meredith, making her stomach roll. She rubbed her damp temples and breathed deeply, trying to quell the dizziness.
“So you came to the duchess’s garden party intending to kill me?” Meredith whispered. “How did Lady Lavinia become involved?”
Hawkins’s eyes took on a feverish intensity. “She was wearing your shawl. I followed her to the folly, thinking I at last had you alone. I attacked from behind, taking only a moment to enjoy her final gasps of life. It was not until later, when I spied you weeping beside her lifeless form, that I realized my mistake.”
“Lavinia died eight years ago. Why have you waited so long to come for me?”
“You were suffering. That pleased me. And then Mr. Wingate left London and soon after purchased his commission. We were out of the country for many years. Yet in all that time I never forgot about you, Lady Meredith.”
Hawkins continued talking, fast and furiously, and it was difficult to follow the conversation, to understand his words. When it was necessary, Harriet prompted him with a question and Meredith was grateful for her help. The other woman seemed to understand their only hope of surviving was to keep him talking—for time was fast running out.
Meredith was not in the room. Trevor felt certain of it. The marquess rubbed his brow and leaned against the wall, his gaze glued to the rows of gold-gilt chairs where the guests were seated for the musical performance.
He scanned the rows once, twice, then a final third time, but the results remained the same. Meredith was not where he had left her, nor had she moved to a different seat. At first Trevor reasoned she might have slipped away for a few minutes, as he had done, but as the seconds ticked away he grew more concerned.
If she had left on her own, she would have returned by now. Something was dreadfully wrong.
“Thinking about making another escape, Dardington?” Julian Wingate asked. “If so, I suggest you make a run for it before the soloist begins. My grandfather adores this woman, but her voice has been known to make grown men weep. In agony.”
“Wingate.” Trevor favored the other man with a curt nod. “Actually, I was looking for my wife. Have you seen her?”
“No.” Wingate raised both eyebrows. “Is she truly missing?”
“Yes.” If the situation were not so dire, Trevor might have smiled. The black fear that was rolling inside him was so intense he was now confiding in a man like Wingate on the off chance he would be able to help. “I need to ask the other guests if anyone has seen Meredith, but would prefer to do it without causing a great alarm.”
“I will help.”
The two men took off in separate directions.
“Have you seen Meredith?” Trevor asked his brother-in-law when he happened upon Jason in the card room.
“No, but ’tis strange you should inquire about my sister. I have been searching for Miss Elizabeth for nearly an hour. Finally, with great reluctance, I asked Miss Harriet where she had gotten to, and she went in search of her sister. But Miss Harriet has yet to return. Now Meredith is missing also. Do you think this is just an odd coincidence?”
Trevor frowned. “I suppose they all could have needed to leave for a few minutes to attend to some female matter, but I think they have been gone long enough for us to be suspicious.”
Jason grabbed the marquess’s arm. “Are you implying they might be in danger?”
Trevor’s blood ran cold. He was not a man given to panic, but every instinct within him was screaming with fear. “I believe it would be wise of us to locate the women as quickly as possible.”
Wingate joined them. He looked at Trevor and shook his head. “I’ve questioned the servants on this floor. No one has seen Lady Meredith. And yet they are fairly certain no one has left the house, either. She must be here somewhere.”
Trevor grimaced. “Miss Elizabeth is missing also. Her sister, Harriet, went to search for her and has not yet returned.”
Wingate’s brow drew together in confusion. “Harriet is missing, too? I had no idea.”
The marquess expelled a long sigh. If the servants said no one had left the premises, then they must assume the women were somewhere in the house. But where? It was a large residence, with many rooms. It would take several hours to search properly.
With growing concern, Trevor remembered Meredith’s shredded parasol, the bruises around her neck that night at the theater, the uneasy feeling she experienced at times of being watched. He knew they did not have a moment to lose. If Meredith was in danger, she needed to be found. Quickly.
Fear for his lovely wife made it difficult to think, but Trevor marshalled his wits. He turned in haste to Wingate. “Are you well acquainted with this house?”
“I have lived here for the past two months. And I visited often as a boy.” Wingate’s mouth curled. “Harriet and Elizabeth are guests of my grandfather. I know where their chambers are located. Do you want me to take you there?”
Trevor forced his racing heart to calm while he tried to think. “No. Is there an area of the house that is seldom used?”
“The east wing has been closed for years.”
He hesitated a moment, knowing if he were wrong precious time would be wasted. “I think we should start our search there.”
