But how could Grandfather have written the letters? He had died the day before they were received.
Still, Percy’s words lingered in Isaac’s mind with eerie finality. It was one of the last things Percy had said to him before he all but disappeared. Isaac hadn’t seen him since the ball. He seemed to be hiding from the consequences of his actions. Lord Blackstone hadn’t made a scene over the situation for Prudence’s sake, but Percy was wise to avoid a confrontation of any sort. Was he even still in London?
The mystery remained unsolved, and it vexed him. Almost as much as the fact that Sophia was engaged to Lord Finchley. Had their conversation the night before changed her mind? Isaac could hardly dare to hope for such an outcome. He had been betrayed by his hopes too many times. Despite the dangers of doing so, he needed to call upon her that day.
He didn’t have a moment to lose. Blackstone could drive him out of the house if he wished, but Isaac had to finish his conversation with Sophia. He had to know if his hope was in vain.
The sky was clear for the first time all week as Isaac made his way to her house. At the front door, he raised the knocker and struck it three times, and the butler welcomed him inside. Before Isaac could be directed to the drawing room, he was nearly knocked over by Mrs. Liddle as she rushed around the corner of the entrance hall.
He managed to dodge her, but only just. The woman pressed a hand to her chest, gasping for air. “Mr. Ellington!”
“Mrs. Liddle.” He read the signs of distress on her features. “Is something amiss?”
No sooner had the question left his lips that Sophia appeared from around the same corner. Her steps halted when she saw Isaac. Her cheeks were ruddy, her hair hanging loose about her shoulders. She wore a thin white chemise, a brown shawl wrapped around the upper half of her body. She appeared to have just stumbled out of bed and followed her aunt on a rampage through the house.
Her cheeks darkened a shade as she seemed to realize how she appeared. Isaac could never properly tell her how attractive she looked, so he simply stood there, admiring her at his own discretion. He hadn’t seen her hair loose since their days in Cornwall, but it suited her. It made his heart ache to realize that all these years, she thought he had cast her aside because her dowry wasn’t enough. He wanted to tell her over and over again how false that was.
“Isaac.” Her eyes flickered down to her shawl, and she wrapped it tighter around herself. Her aunt seemed too distracted at the moment to notice Sophia’s use of his Christian name. But it didn’t escape his notice. His heart lifted at the familiarity of it, that flicker of hope growing stronger inside him. He stamped it down before he could become carried away. Breaking off an engagement to an earl was no small feat, and the consequences to Sophia’s reputation and family would be severe.
“Yes, something is very much amiss.” Mrs. Liddle stepped between them. Isaac had forgotten that he had asked her the question at all. “Prudence has run away.”
He reared back in surprise. “Where has she gone?”
“Cornwall.”
He frowned. “Surely she hasn’t traveled there alone?”
Sophia sighed, and the worry in her features became apparent as she walked closer. “She claims not to be alone, but in safe, reputable company. I don’t dare imagine what her definition of reputable company could be.” Her eyes glistened with suppressed tears. “She said she missed her dogs, but she has never taken such drastic measures before.” Her lower lip quivered, and were it not for Mrs. Liddle standing a few paces away, Isaac would have wrapped her in his arms. “I worry that she didn’t leave of her own accord.”
A chill ran across Isaac’s shoulders. Was Percy capable of kidnapping a young woman and forcing a marriage? Isaac’s original assessment of his cousin’s character had already proven to be far milder than it actually was. Could Percy have had more up his sleeve? The idea made Isaac’s stomach sink with dread.
“I don’t know what to do.” Sophia drew a shaky breath. “I just found her letter this morning. None of our carriages are gone, so that means she must have traveled with a private coach, or by mail coach. If she traveled through the night, we have little chance of catching her before she reaches her destination.”
“Did you not see her when you returned home last night?”
“No. I went straight to bed.” Sophia’s blue eyes spilled over, and she wiped at the tears. “After all we did to keep them apart, I cannot bear to think of her being taken like this. She didn’t want to attend the party yesterday, but I should have made her. I shouldn’t have let her out of my sight.”
Isaac couldn’t take it a moment longer. He would have to test his luck with Mrs. Liddle’s eyesight. Stepping forward, he wiped a tear from Sophia’s cheek. His touch seemed to take her by surprise, but she didn’t pull away from it. She stared up at him, and it was confirmed once again that there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. His heart flopped as her gaze moved gentlyacross his features. He struggled to speak. “We will find her,” he promised. “Have you told your stepfather?”
“Not yet. He left for Hampshire early this morning. He’ll be back tomorrow, but by then we would be too late.”
Isaac gave a swift nod. “I’ll prepare my carriage now. If we can’t catch her before she reaches Cornwall, we can at least be there shortly after she arrives.”
Sophia’s brow furrowed. “No, I should not have burdened you with this. My stepfather will be on the road as soon as he hears of it.”
“And by then, I will already be several hours ahead of him.”
“As will I,” Mrs. Liddle blurted. She marched forward, her liquid eyes magnified through the lenses of her spectacles. “My nerves cannot tolerate being left here to wonder what has become of our dear Prudence. Sophia and I will take our own carriage behind you. The journey should only take four to five days if we travel through the night, and should we encounter any highwaymen or other dangers, Mr. Ellington will be nearby to protect us. We might even enlist Lord Finchley’s help.”
“No,” Sophia blurted. “I mean—” her cheeks flushed. “Lord Finchley is not accustomed to the discomfort of a long journey. I wouldn’t wish to trouble him.”
A wave of satisfaction crossed Isaac’s stomach. Eating cashews was one thing, but being trusted by Sophia was a far greater victory. He tore himself away from her side, despite how badly he wanted to remain close to her. This was his moment to prove his devotion to her and her family—Lord Blackstone in particular. He needed to act. Prudence’s safety was the top priority at the moment—not how lovely Sophia looked with her hair down.
“I don’t think Percy’s involvement is likely,” Isaac reassured her. “Let us hope for the best…that she simply missed her dogs.”
Sophia nodded, but her eyes still glinted with worry.
He hadn’t planned to travel back to Cornwall until it was absolutely necessary. This was that moment. He pushed aside the dread he felt at the prospect of seeing Morvoren House again and what he had caused to become of it through his neglect. The land prospered, the tenants and mines were thriving, but the house itself was likely in disrepair. Percy was right.
