Thus adjured, Joan hurried to the press to search. Presently she was able to report that only one had been removed, besides that which Rosina had been wearing. Hope lit in Raith’s breast. Perhaps she had not gone with the intention of remaining away for long. But in that case, why had she written as if she meant to leave him? He had supposed at first she must have gone to her nurse at Withibrooke. But she could not have been safe there. How could Mrs Hoswick protect her? Where the deuce was she?
“Go down and tell Kirkham to come to my bedchamber. Immediately!”
Sweeping through to his own apartments he found that Paulersbury had brought a jug of cold water which he was tipping into the basin. With relief, Raith splashed his face. Then he tore off his bed gown and threw the icy liquid over himself in handfuls that wreaked havoc upon the floor of his dressing-room. Ignoring his valet’s protests, he performed hasty ablutions, and was in the act of donning his rust-coloured frock-coat and waistcoat, over buckskin breeches, when a discreet knocking heralded the arrival of his butler.
“Kirkham, what an age you have been! For pity’s sake, where is her ladyship? Did you see her leave the house?”
“I did not, my lord, but I have made enquiries, and I understand from Parton that the chaise left not half an hour since.”
“Then Parton knows where she has gone?”
“It appears that her ladyship desired Catterline to drive her to Banbury.”
“Banbury?” Relief swept through Raith, as a line from Rosina’s note came back to him. She had gone to consult with Ottery. Consult? Or was it a refuge from her husband?
Rosina regarded the lawyer seated on the other side of the desk with some anxiety. “Can you not arrange it, Mr Ottery?”
Under the grey wig, the kindly features creased with concern. “I can oblige you, ma’am, if you wish for it. But I am loath to do so without talking to his lordship. My dear Lady Raith, have you considered the consequences?”
“I need only consider the alternative. I will not have my husband face the shame and disgrace of hearing my name — no, his name, for that is the one I bear — abused. You best know how much he has already suffered, Mr Ottery. I will not be the means of bringing to him further cause for bitterness.”
The lawyer rose from his chair, and moved a trifle restlessly about his own office. Rosina watched him, puzzled by his attitude. He seemed deeply troubled. What ailed him? Surely he must see the rightness of her demand?
“What is the matter, Mr Ottery?”
He paused by the desk, looking down at her with an expression hard to interpret. “Lady Raith, you have put me in a quandary. I saw his lordship only yesterday, when he came to me here to be given certain information.”
Rosina coloured, looking away. “I know what it was. Lord Forteviot informed me that my guardian had given you a similar tale to his own.”
“Not similar, Lady Raith. Exactly the same.”
Something in his voice made her look back at him, a wild hope in her breast. “Can it be...?” She swallowed, and tried again. “Mr Ottery, did you believe him?”
“On the contrary, ma’am. I told his lordship I was inclined rather to believe in you, for I felt certain a collusion had been formed between these two gentlemen.”
Rosina felt a bursting at her heart. Tears welled at her eyes, but she dashed them away. She bit her lip, and turned her eyes away from the concern in the lawyer’s face. “But he did not accept it, did he?”
Ottery did not answer, and Rosina forced herself to look at him. She was right, then. Raith had chosen rather to believe in the falsehood. He had not been drunk last night from elation. Hurt gripped her, and it was some moments before she was able to speak.
“How much do you know, Mr Ottery?” She gave him look for look. “Why could he not trust me? Was it the doctor’s evidence?”
The lawyer compressed his lips, and Rosina found herself burning with resentment. As if impelled, she rose from her chair, leaving in it the cloak that had slipped from her shoulders. She took a hasty turn about the room. His silence was driving her mad. She faced him.
“Must you be so discreet, Mr Ottery? I am sure you know it all. Pray, why must I be left in ignorance? I thought you approved me. I thought—”
“Don’t, ma’am!” A sigh left his lips, and he came up to her. “Won’t you sit down again? Believe me, Lady Raith, I am on your side.”
“As is my husband. He will not set me aside, no matter what he believes.”
The lawyer’s eyes regarded her keenly. “Are you certain?”
Rosina looked him full in the face. “He has given me reason enough to be so.” A faint flush stained her cheek. “That is not to say he has not thought of separation. But he will not now be willing to part from me. That is why—”
“That is why you are proposing to sacrifice yourself.”
“I am relying on you, Mr Ottery. Pray help me.”
He took one of her unquiet hands in his. “Lady Raith, you cannot possibly expect me to aid you to leave him. Especially in light of what you have said.”
Rosina regarded him with suspicion in her face. “You would do so, had the request come from him.”
The lawyer looked altogether upset, but before he could respond, they were interrupted by a disturbance outside the office door. There was the sound of a slam, and a raised voice, one all too readily recognisable. Rosina jumped, and her heart began to hammer in her breast. Two other voices answered, and a second later the door flew open, and Raith entered the room.
