Clucking with distress, Georgy ran to the press. Flinging open the doors, she began hunting through the drawers. “Well, the newest gowns are still here. Oh, but I don’t see the ones she first got at Emmeline’s. No, and look, Alex! Her undergarments are missing!”
Alex declined to inspect Apple’s clothing. “What did she pack her things in then?”
At this point, the maid tapped on the open door, coming in on the echo of her knock.
“Oh, Nelly, where did Miss Apple keep her valise and the bandbox she had?”
Nelly blinked at her in some confusion, but on being urged not to stand like a stock, she moved towards the free-standing mirror in the corner. Stopping in her tracks, she pointed. “The bandbox is there, my lady.”
Alex went across and looked behind the mirror. Sure enough, the bandbox from Emmeline’s was set neatly against the wall. Nelly joined him, and let out a gasp, putting her hands to her mouth.
“Oh, but the valise ain’t there! It were down beside the bandbox, for I set it there myself.”
That was enough for Alex. With a brief word of thanks to the maid, he seized Georgy’s hand and dragged her willy-nilly from the room, beginning his questions the moment they were out of earshot.
“Yesterday at the Luthrie Arms, Georgy. What happened after I left with the hunt?”
Georgy, hurrying along beside him, protested. “Stop rushing me, Alex! I’m in a delicate situation, remember.”
Alex cursed and let her go, slowing his pace as they approached the stairs. “Very well, but answer me!”
“Nothing happened, for goodness’ sake! I was talking with Maria Ambleside for a while, and then we got into the carriage and —” She broke off, halting in the middle of the stairway.
Alex stopped, taking in vaguely that both his parents were standing in the hall below, watching them. “Well?”
“Apple went into the inn for a bit. I thought she’d gone to use the facilities.”
“Vergette! Damn it, she must have seen him!”
He left his sister on the stair and hurtled down the remainder of the steps, shouting for Meech.
“Alexander, what does this mean? What has happened? Where is Appoline?”
Alex turned to confront his mother, but before he could speak, his father intervened.
“Has she left us, my boy? Run away perhaps? Now, why?”
Alex drew a huge breath and let it out. “No point in concealing it from you any longer. Come into the breakfast parlour.” With which, he strode towards the parlour door and met the butler coming out. “Meech, has there been any note left for me?”
“Not that I am aware, my lord, but I will enquire.”
“Do so with all speed, if you please.”
Striding into the breakfast parlour, he found the rest of the family crowding in. His father came up and laid a hand on his shoulder.
“Sit down, my boy. Let us all take a cup of coffee and calm ourselves. There is nothing to be gained by panic.”
Alex allowed himself to be pushed into his recently vacated chair, reflecting that panic was the least of his problems. Churning deep inside him was the hideous certainty he’d lost Apple as surely as if she’d died. Her flight, on the heels of Vergette’s arrival, confirmed the suspicion he’d nurtured for weeks.
To his abiding gratitude, Lord Luthrie busied himself with replenishing cups and keeping his wife and daughter from bothering Alex with questions. Though Georgy looked distressed, he had no room to spare to comfort her for the desolation in his own heart. He was glad of the butler’s return, hope reviving as he saw the man held a slip of paper in his fingers.
“This arrived but a few moments ago, my lord. The messenger came from the Luthrie Arms.”
“Vergette!”
Alex tore open the note.
I regret I am obliged to return with all speed to London, my lord Dymond. Our meeting must be postponed. I will write to apprise you of my movements.
