"Something's wrong," she said, leaning forward to peer through the window.
Sebastian had noticed it too. She could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hand had moved unconsciously to the carriage door.
"It may be nothing," he said. "The household may simply be occupied elsewhere."
"My mother is ill. There should be servants everywhere, attending to her needs."
"Let's not assume the worst until we know more."
The carriage rolled to a stop before the front entrance, and Harriet was out the door before the footman could assist her. She took the steps two at a time, her heart pounding with anxiety that had nothing to do with the exertion.
The front door opened before she reached it, revealing the pale, worried face of Mrs. Briggs, the housekeeper.
"Lady Harriet! Thank heavens you've come. Your mother has been asking for you."
"Is she all right? What's happened?"
"She's resting comfortably, my lady. The physician visited yesterday and declared her much improved, it was a chill, nothing more, though it gave us all quite a fright." Mrs. Briggs' eyes moved past Harriet to where Sebastian was emerging from the carriage. "And Lord Vane. Mr. Thornton has been expecting you, my lord. He arrived this morning."
"The solicitor?" Sebastian's voice was sharp. "He was supposed to meet us tomorrow."
"He said the matter was urgent, my lord. He's waiting in the study."
Harriet felt a chill that had nothing to do with the weather. Urgent matters. Solicitors. The pieces were beginning to fall into place, and the picture they formed was not reassuring.
"I want to see my mother," she said.
"Of course, my lady. I'll take you to her directly." Mrs. Briggs hesitated, glancing at Sebastian again. "Perhaps his lordship might speak with Mr. Thornton while you visit Lady Fordshire? There are... things that need to be discussed."
"What things?" Harriet demanded. "What is going on?"
Mrs. Briggs' face was a study in careful blankness. "I think it best if your mother explains, my lady."
Harriet turned to Sebastian, who was watching the exchange with an expression she couldn't read.
"Go to your mother," he said quietly. "I'll speak with Thornton and find out what this is about."
"If it concerns my family…"
"Then I'll tell you everything I learn. I promise."
It was strange, trusting Sebastian Vane with something so important. But there was something in his eyes, a steadiness she had not noticed before that made her believe him.
"Very well," she said. "But if you keep anything from me…"
"I won't." He held her gaze. "You have my word."
Harriet nodded once, then turned to follow Mrs. Briggs up the stairs. Behind her, she heard Sebastian's footsteps moving in the opposite direction, toward the study and whatever revelations awaited him there.
She had the distinct feeling that nothing would ever be quite the same again.
***
Lady Fordshire was sitting up in bed when Harriet entered, propped against a mountain of pillows with a book open on herlap. She looked thinner than Harriet remembered, and paler, but her eyes were bright and sharp as ever.
"Finally," she said, setting aside her book. "I was beginning to think you'd lost your way."
"The roads were terrible." Harriet crossed to the bed and took her mother's hand, relieved to find it warm. "How are you feeling?"
