“Yes, my lord. I suggested he take Daniel, but his lordship said he didn’t need a groom as he had your permission. I suspected he didn’t, but…” He shrugged.
Nicholas eased his tense shoulders. “Did he say where he was headed?”
“North. Said he wanted to follow the river to see where it led him.”
“He might not get far. The river overflows its banks in some places.” Aquilo needed food and water. “Saddle Prince. I’ll return in a moment.”
When Nicholas entered the house, strains of Beethoven drew him to the music room. Carrie looked up as he came in. “It appears your brother has ridden off somewhere.”
“With a groom?”
“Refused the offer of one.”
“Oh, how foolish of him.” She rose quickly from the piano.
“Did he mention anything to you?”
“No. He must have gone to visit the dogs as you suggested at breakfast.”
“Perhaps.” He was about to leave the room when she called him. “But it disappointed him not to see the ruins.”
“Do you think Bella knows where he’s gone?”
“No. She has been in the schoolroom all morning.” She hurried over to him. “May I come with you?”
“No, Carrie. I must leave right away.”
She followed him from the room. “But it’s best I deal with him, as he listens to me. Can you not wait for me to change?”
Nicholas searched her worried face, his admiration for her tinged with frustration. He wished he could enfold her in his arms to ease her anxiety. “Jeremy is now my responsibility,” he said in a gentle tone.
“You seem concerned. Might he have taken it into his mind to go to the ruins of your ancestral home?”
“If that was his intention, he is unlikely to succeed and is probably riding home this very moment. The river will have flooded the low-lying meadows.”
Her eyes widened, and she put a finger to her mouth. “Jeremy is stubborn. He’ll find a way through.”
Nicholas stepped closer and took her hands. “I’m being overly cautious. Jeremy will be with his pup. He’s likely to arrive back any minute.”
“Yes,” she murmured, but her expression spoke of her doubts.
He took her hands and gently squeezed them, his thumb stroking her smooth skin. Aware of the inappropriateness of the gesture, he released her hands. “Don’t be too hard on Jeremy if he comes back before I do. Wait for my return. I don’t want him getting his dander up and storming off somewhere again.”
Carrie inclined her head, seeing the sense of it, her big eyes searching his in appeal. “I’m sure you’ll find him, Nicholas.”
Her faith in him made his chest tighten. What if he failed and Jeremy reached the ruins? With a reassuring smile, he left the room.
Nicholas would bring Jeremy safely home. He refused to consider anything else. He was soon back in the saddle, and after fighting Prince to make him understand who was in charge, rode to the kennels.
When he arrived there, apart from the din the dogs made to see a visitor arrive, there was no sign of Jeremy.
Bevans came over to him. “Can I help you, milord?”
“Have you seen Lord Leeming today?”
“No, milord. Hasn’t been here.”
“If he comes back, tell him to wait for me in the library.”
