He shook his head. “Just a dark shape moving away.”
She gasped. “I left Barbara alone. We must go back.”
They descended the stairs and hurried along the corridor to the nursery. “We mustn’t worry Barbara with this, William.”
“No, Jenny.”
In the nursery, Barbara was sobbing and giving a garbled account to the mystified footman.
“It’s all right, dearest. William and Carrot are here. They’re both safe.” Jenny forced some warmth into her voice while her mind was struggling with the possibility that someone intended to harm William. Too many coincidences, she heard her father saying.
She placed the kitten in Barbara’s arms. The animal immediately kneaded a spot on the bed and settled down. Barbara yawned, lay back on the pillow and closed her eyes. Soon, she slept.
Jenny turned toward the footman. “George, can you have some hot chocolate sent up for Lord William? The kitten escaped so you see we’ve had a bit of a scare. After you bring it, could you spend the rest of the night here?”
George, reassuringly tall and of a solid build, nodded. He bowed to William. “Of course, Miss Harrismith. I’ll see to it, right away.”
Jenny locked the door behind George. “Back into bed, William. After your chocolate you must try to sleep. In the morning, your father will deal with this.”
“Father will be angry.” William shivered as he climbed into bed.
“Yes he will be. But not with you, William.”
The next morning,Jenny dragged herself from her bed. William was still asleep, exhausted by his experience during the night. She washed and dressed quickly.
George napped in a chair she’d placed by the door. She poked him gently on the arm and his eyes flew open.
“Thank you, George. I’ve rung for Mary. I need to speak to the duke.”
The footman stood stretching his arms. “Glad to be of help, Miss Harrismith.”
When Mary arrived, Jenny explained her mission, without telling her the reason. She hurried downstairs to the kitchen.
Cook stood before the mammoth stove stirring eggs. “I’m sorry to interrupt you at this busy time, but has His Grace breakfasted?” she asked raising her voice above the clatter of a pair of kitchen maids bustling in and out of the pantries, and a maid in the scullery, working furiously at their tasks.
Narrow-eyed, Cook glanced at her. Jenny knew that a governess was not viewed as part of the staff below stairs, and she did not have any authority here. It was a difficult position to be in. And the fact that she was a lord’s daughter didn’t help.
“His Grace has not eaten breakfast. Nor does he require any,” Cook said.
“Why?”
Cook kept stirring the wooden ladle coated with egg. The strong smell of bacon fought for ascendency with the parsley. “Best you ask Mrs. Pollitt.”
Jenny knocked on the housekeeper’s door. Invited to enter she hurried inside. “I need to speak to His Grace, Mrs. Pollitt. It’s important. Do you know if he’s here?”
Mrs. Pollitt’s features arranged themselves in strong disapproval. “Are you sure it is important?”
“I am not dramatizing the situation, Mrs. Pollitt.” Jenny tried not to show her annoyance at the housekeeper’s insinuation. “Something happened during the night that His Grace must be made aware of.”
“And what was that?”
“Lady Barbara’s kitten escaped and…”
Mrs. Pollitt clucked and held up a hand. “I don’t see that it’s anything to bother the duke with.” She lowered her head over her accounts book. “His Grace has sent word that he will not require either breakfast, or luncheon. You might ask Mr. Forrester if you wish to know more.”
“I shall. Thank you, Mrs. Pollitt.”
Jenny left her, chewing her lip in frustration. Mr. Forrester was polishing silver plate and glassware in the butler’s pantry. He informed her that the duke had gone to London, but would return tonight.
