“Anabel was an orphan, staying with an aged aunt who has since died. That’s all I know about her. Charlotte is above average height and very slender. She has golden hair and brown eyes.”
As they walked the horses, he listened while Joanna told him about the young lady. “She considers herself too tall to attract a husband, but her grandfather is determined to see her wed.”
What had Virden done with her? Got one of his scoundrels to kidnap her? Would the girl stand a chance when she’d been gone for days? He doubted anything could be done for Anabel. Were either of them still in London? Or even alive? He ordered his thoughts for the search, which he would put in motion as soon as he left Joanna. They reined in at the end of the Row. “I’ll ride with you to the stables.”
Her eyes beseeched him. “Reade, what will you do to find her?”
“I intend to look for her, Joanna. But you must leave it in my hands.”
“Do you think a procuress abducted Anabel and Charlotte?”
He cursed under his breath. Joanna was smart. He might have known she’d consider the possibility. He didn’t want her anywhere near this investigation. “There are many reasons for a girl to leave London. Not all of them bad.”
“I know you will find her, but let me help, please. Tell me what to do.”
It tore at him to see the trust in her eyes. She believed he wrought miracles. He could not tell her of his worst fears. “You will help me by staying safe and letting me deal with it.”
“Do you think the same people took Charlotte as those who abducted Sally?”
“That I don’t know. If I have news, I’ll send you a note. In the meantime, I’ll advise Bow Street.”
“I thought we might utilize Sally’s experience to find her.”
He groaned inwardly. “I don’t see how.”
She looked at him keenly. “We could retrace the route the jarvey took when he drove Sally home.” Jo glanced behind her. A group of riders had captured Sally’s attention. “Sally might remember something which leads us to the lady who helped her. Anything might happen after that. But I wish I knew why they let Sally go.”
His jaw tightened. “Most probably because she has people who care about her.”
“But Charlotte has Mrs. Lincoln.”
“We don’t know yet what happened to Charlotte. London is a big city.” His gaze took in the determined set of her slim shoulders and her curvy figure in the riding clothes. “But I promise you, I’ll do my utmost to find her, even if she has married and is living in Scotland.” Was it a reckless promise?
“If she planned to marry, Charlotte would have confided in Mrs. Lincoln. I believe she was fond of her and would not want her to worry. She would also have told me.” She paused. “You think something terrible has happened to her, don’t you?”
“Let’s wait, shall we, until we find out more.”
“I know you will do all you can, Reade.”
They joined Sally and turned the horses toward the park stables.
“I wonder if Mr. Ollerton might be an acquaintance of yours?” she asked. “He recently called on us.”
He frowned. There seemed a lot of gentlemen calling on Joanna. “Ollerton? I don’t believe so. Who is he?”
“The second son of Viscount Cranswick.”
What the devil? Reade turned to her sharply. “I’ll escort you home.”
“There is no need. Sally is with me, and it’s only a few blocks from the stables to my home.”
“Indulge me. You have exhibited a knack for getting yourself into hostile situations.”
“In Mayfair?” She turned on the saddle to scowl at him. “That hardly seems fair.”
“I know of Viscount Cranswick. He hails from the north, as do I. To my knowledge, he has only one son.”
“But can you be sure of that?” she asked as they rode across the grass.
