“If I had spoken to him about such a matter, I would have told him that it requires him to prove that his wife had been unfaithful.”
“I see.” She forced a smile to her face. “Even if it’s false?”
There was definitely pity now, and she was not going to fade in the face of it.
“Lady Sarah, if a man truly wishes to divorce his wife, there are ways to do it. Or, if the man is an adventurer, he can simply leave the country.”
She turned and faced him.
“Mr. Eston would not have done such a thing. Instead, I believe him to be an honest man with honorable principles.”
“As do I, Lady Sarah.”
Wordlessly, they faced each other.
“I am trying to find my husband, Mr. Smythe,” she said, her pride falling beneath a greater need, that of locating Douglas. “He seems to be missing.”
His expression changed, became more cautious.
“When was this?”
“Immediately after visiting you, sir. Do you have any idea where he might have gone from here?”
He shook his head.
“Are you certain?”
“Lady Sarah, if I had any additional information that I could pass along to you, I would do so. Unfortunately, there is nothing more I can say.”
She caught the inference in his words. “So, my husband did seek your advice on another matter as well.”
“I have said enough, Lady Sarah,” he said, walking to the door. He opened it, held it open, and smiled, a perfectly genuine smile if she hadn’t looked in his eyes. He appeared as worried as she felt. “Good luck with your search. Please let me know what transpires.”
She wasn’t willing to leave quite yet.
“You have no idea where he might have gone, Mr. Smythe?”
“Give my good wishes to your father, Lady Sarah. He is the Duke of Herridge, isn’t he?”
She was almost through the door when she turned and looked back at him. There was a solemn expression on his face, one he’d not worn in all the time she’d been in his office.
“How do you know my husband, Mr. Smythe?”
He smiled. “He saved my life, Lady Sarah. I was aboard a ship that sank off the coast of France. Your husband was aboard the rescue vessel. He kept me afloat until I could be rescued.”
“If I told you that I was going to visit the Duke of Herridge right now, what would you say?”
“I would wish you the best of luck, Lady Sarah. I would also tell you to be careful.”
She nodded and left him without another word.
Edmunds was standing outside, guarding the carriage.
“You’re going to see him, then?” Alano asked. “He’s not a nice man, your father.”
“You’re right,” she said. “He’s not a nice man.” In addition, there was every possibility that he wasn’t her father after all.
“Does your father have a stable?” Alano asked.
