“He did not.”
Though it was a crushing blow to the young man, James didn’t see the reason for alarm. “He probably went home to mourn your loss in privacy.”
Elsbeth shook her head. “That’s why I came as soon as I heard. One of his friends said he planned to get fuddled at the Devil’s Own pub and didn’t care what happened after that.”
“The Devil’s Own pub?” Joanna looked at him. “I’ve never heard of that, and I know almost every establishment in the area.”
Elsbeth squeezed his hand, her eyes clearly watering now. “It’s down by the docks.”
“Bloody hell.” Joanna’s swear caught them all by surprise. “It’s been hours since that dance. Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”
He patted his cousin’s hand in his. “That’s a fair question.”
“I didn’t know he left until I danced with his friend. When I discovered he was at this pub, I searched you out immediately.” Two tears had now started down her cheeks.
He gave her hand one last squeeze. “It’s not your fault. “You were right to tell us.”
“We have to find him.” Joanna picked up her skirts to walk back in.
He let go of Elsbeth and caught Joanna by the hand. “Wait. You aren’t going anywhere.”
She spun to face him. “You can’t stop me.”
“Joanna, let me do this. It’s not safe down there.”
Her eyes narrowed and she pulled her hand from his. “Either I go with you, or I take our coach, but one way or another I’m finding my cousin and bringing him home.”
There was no way he was letting her go without him. She was right. He couldn’t stop her as he wasn’t her husband, but he doubted even that would make a difference. Was that why she feared getting married? As if the sun had finally shown itself from behind the clouds, he knew he was right. Relief and determination swept through him like a winter storm. “We will take my coach.”
“James.”
At his aunt’s voice, he paused. “Yes.”
“Be careful and take a chaperone.”
He understood the look she threw him. While Teddy’s disappearance was paramount, keeping his future duchess’s reputation was equally so. “We only have two footmen with us.”
“We have two as well. Let me get my cloak.” With that, Joanna strode back into the ballroom.
His aunt held Elsbeth, who now cried in earnest. She spoke over her daughter’s shoulder. “I suggest Lady Mariel. She is discreet and will do as you ask.”
Because Joanna wouldn’t. He understood the message. Giving her a quick nod, he went in search of Lady Mariel and her sister, and to let their parents know he would retrieve Lord Mabry.
He found Joanna outside with the Mabry footmen. She’d called for his coach and paced as she waited. He moved toward her to halt her frantic movement, but Lady Mariel tapped his arm. “Let her be. She needs to expend her worry this way.”
He remained where he was, wishing he could help alleviate that concern immediately, but it was out of his hands at the moment. Finally, his coach pulled up and they piled in. Luckily, his driver knew where the Devil’s Own pub was. Asking for directions along the docks in the middle of the night, was not something he had wanted to engage in.
The streets were empty, everyone home or wherever they planned to be for the night. The Stocktons’ ball wouldn’t end until early morning and it was still just after midnight. There were far fewer streetlamps as they drew closer to a side of Town he’d spent very little time in. They drove by two urchins stealing a drunk man’s coin as he wobbled down an alley, and his protective instincts rose. Though they were there to find Teddy, Joanna would be his priority.
They had ridden in silence, but Mariel broke it. “Joanna, I’m concerned you made the wrong decision.”
Joanna had been observing everything outside the window, or what could be seen when they drove by a lantern. She didn’t take her gaze from the streets. “Wrong decision about what?”
Mariel took a deep breath as if finding her patience. “With coming down to the docks ourselves. I’m sure His Grace could handle this without us.”
“Of course he can. And when Teddy refuses to come with him because he’s in his cups, a fight will ensue in which either Teddy or Lord Northwick will be injured.”
“And you think we can keep that from happening?”
