“I am here, Your Grace.” Annabelle appeared.
“Why is Oliver not with you?” Catherine stood up, alarm flooding through her.
“He is in the gardens.” Annabelle held up her hands as though to soothe her. “It is such a beautiful day, and he seems to be enjoying himself.”
“You left him outside by himself?” Catherine exclaimed.
“He was with one of the gardeners when I left him, and I asked one of the other maids— Imelda, I think that was her name; well, I asked her to watch him while I came to check if you needed me to dress you.”
Catherine knew that her lady’s maid was only trying to do what was proper; after all, it was a governess’s job to look after children, but still. “Then let us be quick. I do not like the thought of him in the gardens without one of us by his side. Though I suppose I should get used to it.”
She reminded herself that she would not be at the estate forever. Only long enough to get some answers and ensure that Alaric would do his duty and care for his son.
Annabelle pulled a pretty green dress out of the wardrobe and a blue one with simple embroidery. “I thought it best that I unpack, given that we will be here for some time. Once Mrs. Danvers arrives– ”
“Mrs. Danvers is coming?” Catherine interrupted, gesturing to the green dress.
“Yes. She will be the one bringing your clothes and other essentials. She will leave one of the more senior maids in charge in her absence. His Grace felt that it would be best that she join you as you will both be in residence in Bath.” Annabelle escorted Catherine into her dressing room.”
And they could not risk hiring a new one with Alaric’s memory as it is.Catherine nodded as Annabelle helped her into the dress.
“And how is my husband? Have you seen him today?”
“Save for when he asked that I let you sleep, no.” Annabelle began fussing over Catherine’s hair.
Catherine waved her off impatiently. “I would remind you, you take your orders from me, Annabelle, not him.”
“Of course, Your Grace. You did seem like you needed the rest, though.” Annabelle hung her head.
“Tomorrow, you will wake me up at the regular time.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Now let us go and check that Oliver is still all right.” Catherine slipped on her coat and walked out into the gardens with Annabelle.
On another day, she would probably have appreciated the beautiful flowers bursting with life. Everywhere she looked, there was a burst of vibrant and stunning color. Everything was perfectly maintained, carefully planned to ensure that the grounds would be a spectacle all year round.
“Where did you leave Oliver?” Catherine asked.
“By that tree, but I do not see him or Imelda.” Annabelle bit her lip.
“Hopefully, they will not have gone far. You go that way, and I will go this way.” Catherine gestured toward the horizon, where a lake was visible.
God, I hope he is nowhere near that. How could Annabelle have been so careless?
She did not even know if the boy could swim. She shook her head as she set off toward the lake, calling out for Oliver.
The clear blue sky and dazzling sun felt like some kind of cruel joke. How could the day be so beautiful when a child was missing?
She heard a splash and saw several birds take flight. Panic seized her. Someone was in the lake. She lifted her skirts and ran as fast as she could.
Her breath came in quick, sharp bursts; her lungs felt like they might burst, but she kept going. She reached the end of the pier, searching for any sign of Oliver. The water rippled, barely moving except for the wind.
And then she spotted something moving toward her.
“That is far too big to be Oliver.” She took a step backward.
The Duke burst out of the water in a spray of droplets that caught the sunlight, forming a small rainbow as he climbed onto the pier. He brushed his wet hair back from his face, gave himself a quick shake, and sent water splashing everywhere.
