“That’s terrible news.” Bolton frowned. “I suppose he decided to search for his family on his own.”
Frances pressed a hand to her heart at the thought of the sweet boy trying to look all by himself. Quick action was needed before Peter got too far away or he might never be found.
“What’s happened?” Phoebe asked as she joined them, looking between Frances and the others.
Frances was relieved when Viscount Garland explained.
“How unfortunate.” Linford studied Frances. “There has to be something we can do.”
Yes, but what?
Frances felt the weight of everyone’s attention as work halted around the table, and they all looked at her.
She shifted, her body trembling. The group watched her as if they expected her to not only have an idea but be able to express it.
Their stares had her looking at the floor, unable to think or speak. How she hated this feeling—her mind blank as helplessness filled her. A hot wave of embarrassment took over, worsening the sensation.
She’d been so certain that she was overcoming her shyness. But no. She was the same old Frances. A timid woman who couldn’t move past her reticence no matter what was at stake.
“Frances?” Her mother rose from the far end of the table, her expression concerned and yet also resigned. Somehow, that made matters worse.
Her throat felt as if it were closing, and no matter how much she wished otherwise, she couldn’t have forced out a word if her life depended on it. She was letting down Thomas, Peter, and her friends, along with her mother, by not being able to overcome her nerves.
She shook her head and rushed out of the dining room, needing to escape.
Chapter Nine
Thomas leaned out the window, searching the walkway and the portion of the street he could see as the carriage edged through the thick traffic.
Urgency filled him, especially after what his mother, and then the cook had shared upon his return home. All the servants and his parents were distraught that they hadn’t seen the boy slip away.
“I’m very sorry, sir,” Stokes, the butler, had said, with a shake of his head. “I didn’t realize he was so upset.”
Apparently, the cook had tried her hand at a German dessert with the hope of cheering Peter. The baked dumpling with stewed plums tucked inside sweet dough with cinnamon and other spices was supposed to make the boy feel better.
She’d presented the dessert to Peter after luncheon. He’d started crying when he took a bite but told her it was delicious. He’d finished it between his tears and thanked her profusely. Yet it was clear the boy was even unhappier than before if that was possible.
When the cook asked what was wrong, he said the dumpling reminded him of his mother. That he missed his parents so much. That Christmas wouldn’t be the same without them.
The servants had comforted him, and he’d composed himself then insisted on returning to his duties. When the butler had checked on him a short while later, he was gone, along with his few things.
The staff wasn’t to blame. Thomas should’ve realized the extent of Peter’s upset and found a way to comfort him. He should’ve been looking for the boy’s family instead of at the gathering enjoying himself.
But it was yesterday’s conversation with Peter that struck Thomas the most. The boy had remarked how pretty Frances was and asked if Thomas was going to marry her. Thomas shared that one of the reasons he’d returned to England for the holidays was to ask her to wait for him with the hope they would eventually marry.
“You must vish you had more time with her since you’re only home for Christmas,” Peter said. “I’m sorry you have to help me.”
“Not at all,” Thomas insisted. “There’s nothing more important than locating your parents.”
Yet the very next day, Thomas had left to help with the decorations. Was it any wonder Peter might think Thomas didn’t want to aid him?
Thomas ran a hand along the back of his neck, his concern growing as the carriage drove through one neighborhood after another without success. Two of the footmen had joined the search and rode on the carriage with the driver.
“Try the next street over,” Thomas called out.
“Yes, sir.”
They’d already been down more roads than Thomas could name in the short time they’d been out. First, they’d scoured the ones near Thomas’s home and then broadened the search.
