“Of course, Kilsyth,” Keegan responded as he walked to the library entrance. “Our mistake.”
Keegan’s smirk betrayed his thoughts and the man didn’t believe he was mistaken. If Henry read the expressions of his fellow Devils, they also believed his concern to be more than simply worry about the location of his ward.
None of that mattered. It was something Henry didn’t have time to think about now, or explain. After he found Eve again, then he’d examine the reasons for his unusual behavior.
* * *
After hailing a hackney in the early morning hours, Eve had arrived at the coaching inn just in time to book passage on the first mail coach traveling toward Cornwall. Once she found her seat, which was thankfully not in the middle of two bodies, she tucked her reticule inside the folds of her pelisse and clutched it tight. Inside were what was left of her funds after paying passage and the necklace. Eve feared that if she fell asleep, she could be robbed. And, fall asleep she did.
Of course, Eve shouldn’t be surprised. She’d barely slept before the night of the ball and then last night, after they’d returned and she had learned the fate of her brother, Eve hadn’t slept at all. Instead, she’d packed her clothing and snuck out of Kilsyth’s townhouse hours before the sun rose.
All day she rode, exiting when they changed horses, then reclaimed her seat to sleep some more. In fact, Eve slept more than she had in the last week and didn’t know if it was from the rocking of the carriage, pure exhaustion or the pain at the loss of her brother and leaving Kilsyth behind for good that she tried desperately to bury. This was not a time to succumb to emotions and Eve feared that if she gave into her mourning, she’d cry all the way to Cornwall, surrounded only by strangers, and she couldn’t have that. Instead, she closed her eyes to avoid making conversation and tried to think of anything but what she’d lost.
Almost thirty-two hours after leaving London, Eve arrived in the village of Kirksbury. Despite the fact that she’d slept on the mail coach, she was still exhausted and her body ached. Yet, she’d not reached her destination. Now she must find the Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies.
After retrieving her satchel from the top of the coach, Eve was left on the walk as the mail coach drove onto the next destination. With a deep sigh, she did a turn, taking in the village when she spotted a tea shop. Once she enjoyed a bracing cup of tea and perhaps some sustenance, she’d continue on her journey and pray that it wasn’t so far.
Unfortunately, the tea room served only tea and breads, buns and sweets and after taking a seat at the only available table, she ordered tea alone and settled back to try and relax before she set out on her final trek to her sister.
Poor Cait, she wasn’t expecting Eve, but Eve desperately needed to see her sister. Needed her wisdom or maybe just to have her near. But Eve also prayed that her sister wasn’t punished by her employer when Eve showed up on the doorstep of the school without warning or invitation. Cait had only written the kindest things about Mrs. Wiggons so certainly, she’d understand. But what if Eve wasn’t allowed to remain and needed to return to town. Perhaps she should secure a room for the night to be assured that she’d have a place to sleep in the event Mrs. Wiggons did not allow her to stay?
But first things first and when the servant delivered the tea, Eve asked for direction to the school.
“After you leave here, turn right and it’s only about a mile down the road.”
A mile wasn’t so far. “Thank you.”
“Excuse me, I couldn’t help but overhear, but did you say you were to visit Wiggons’ School?”
Eve looked to the dark-haired woman who had been in quiet discussion with the gentleman beside her. “Yes. I need to visit my sister.”
“Is she a student?” the woman inquired.
“A teacher.”
The woman straightened. “Which one?”
“Miss Caitlin Doyle,” Eve answered. “Do you know her?”
The dark-haired woman brightened. “Yes, I know her. We used to teach together. I adore Caitlin.”
A relief Eve hadn’t anticipated swept through her.
“She didn’t say that you were to visit.”
And in a rush, the sadness overcame Eve.
“Gabriel,” the woman turned to her husband, “This must be Eve. You remember Caitlin talking of her sister.”
“It’s very nice to meet you.”
“Oh, forgive me. I know who you are but you don’t know me.” She held out her hand. “I’m Lady Norbright, formerly Claudia Morris, and this is my husband, Lord Norbright.”
Relief returned. “My sister wrote of you. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
“I wish Caitlin would have told us you were visiting. We could have arranged to have someone meet you.”
“She doesn’t know that I’m here,” Eve answered.
