She took a step toward him, but he lifted a hand, sharply, to fend her off. “No!” He regarded her as though he could not focus clearly. “I’m sorry, but I have to go now.”
Hurt at his rebuff, Diantha swallowed. “Of course, I understand. Is there anything I can do to help?”
He sighed, and it seemed to her that a burden of immense heaviness settled on his shoulders. “Pray for the dead.”
She nodded, unsure of her next course of action.
Barclay’s voice burst through the door. “Kieran!” Anger shaded it now.
She wanted to hold him to her, to comfort him, but he only turned and disappeared into his room. His departure released her from her own state ofsuspended animation. Going to the bellpull, she jerked it imperiously.
By the time Florette entered, she knew what she wanted to do in the immediate future. “I need to dress, and the table must be cleared away. I should find out if the house has any supplies which can be sent along.”
The Frenchwoman nodded soberly.“Oui, milady.”
Diantha dressed as quickly as she could, feeling remarkably useless. Her father’s company had lost ships only twice in her memory. They had been serious occasions, but had involved no more action on her part than attending the memorial services with her mother.
This would not do. Rising from her dressing table, she moved to her writing desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. She needed a list.
For a while, the only sounds in the room were the soft scratching quill on paper and the clink of dishes. She lifted her head and swiveled around in her chair. Florette had quietly stacked the dishes and stood prepared to pick up a tray.
Diantha regarded her lady’s maid in amazement. “Whatever are you doing? We can summon footmen.”
The older woman’s hands stilled. “I know, milady, but this news has affected many of the servants. Several had friends or relatives on the boats.” She sighed. “Not only that, many large waves hit the town. They fear the town itself may be badly damaged.”
Diantha shuddered, then recollected herself. “I shall leave you in charge of removing the dishes, then. I shall make sure messages have been sent to the rest of the estate and Doctor Andrews. If youneed me I shall probably be in the gallery or the drawing room.”
She left her chamber to find signs of panic immediately. Charles, the footman, rushed up the stairs with a housemaid in tow. Seeing her, both came to a halt. The footman apologized for not fetching the dishes from her room earlier, while the young girl beside him tried to choke back her tears.
Diantha took command. First asking Charles if he knew anyone on the missing vessels. At his negative answer, she asked him to take a note to Dr. Andrews in Ulladale. “You will notice it on my writing desk. When you get back from your errand, please come find me.”
He nodded and gave the girl a sympathetic look. “Beattie here is from Cariford, your ladyship.”
As he hurried off, she put her arms around the girl’s shoulders. “My dear, I am so sorry. Did you know anyone on the boats?”
A sob escaped the servant. “Me dad’s a fisherman—and Jamie Cruikshank—we were supposed to be married in the fall.” A lump rose in Diantha’s throat as the slight body shook with weeping. “Please, I must go home. Me mum needs me.”
“Of course, I understand.” Leading the girl to a bench, she held her close and rocked her while she cried.
The door to Kieran’s bedroom opened. She scarcely recognized her husband in the grim-faced man that stalked down the hallway. Dressed in heavy trousers and a thick jumper, he resembled a villager.
For the sake of the girl sobbing on her shoulder, she softly called him. “Kieran?”
He looked at her absently, the way he had when they were first engaged. Her heart failed her before she reminded herself that he had just suffered a shock.
She told the girl’s story briefly. “I told her we could spare her for a few days to go to Cariford.”
“No!” He nearly shouted the word before hunkering down to the servant’s eye level as she sat next to Diantha. He took her hand until she lifted her gaze to his. “Beattie, I know you want to go to your mother, and I think you have two sisters as well?” He spoke firmly, but gently. “Think: all will be confusion for the next few days, and you won’t be able to help.
“Now, if your family needs you, perhaps we can find a place for them near here. Don’t you think that would be better?” She hiccupped and nodded. “Good girl. Now, go downstairs and have a cup of tea to compose yourself. I’m going to Cariford now and I promise to send word of what has actually happened.”
The small maidservant heaved herself to her feet. “Thank you, your lordship.” Hanging onto the wall for support, she slowly made her way toward the stairs.
Kieran’s gaze followed her for a moment before he took Diantha’s arm. “Come with me, please.” Opening the door to the nearest room, he drew her inside.
Alarmed at the tightness in his voice, she turned to him as soon as he shut the door behind them.They stood in an unused bedroom. All about them furniture lay shrouded in Holland covers.
He held up a hand before she could utter a word. “I understand you want to help, but under no circumstances should any of the staff be allowed to return to Cariford just now.”
