“Lady Madeline visited her old nanny in Malmesbury occasionally. And more often, her aunt, Lady Dalby. She and her daughter, Catherine, live in Bath. Never known milady to visit anyone else.”
“Did you accompany her on these visits?”
“Yes. Always.”
“Can you give me their directions?”
“Certainly, milord.” Henry went into the stable and returned with the addresses written on a scrap of paper. “If you find her ladyship, will you bring her back?” he asked, his eyes shadowed.
Hart pulled on his gloves. “I must find her first.”
“Lady Madeline won’t appreciate being returned here, if you’ll forgive me for saying so. And should she return, milord? With that cut strap and all? She doesn’t trust her uncle. Told me some ruffians come at night to play cards after she is abed. Said she wanted to find out more about them, but I warned her not to.”
“Strange. Have you seen them?”
“Once when I was up late at night with a horse in foal. Not that well, though. They hugged the shadows, like they were up to no good, and had a carriage waiting for them farther down the road.”
Disturbed, Hart swung his leg over the saddle and took up the reins. “Thank you, Henry. You’ve been very helpful.”
“I’m glad of it, milord. I pray you find her before something bad befalls her.”
Hart nodded. “That is my aim.”
Hart rode out the gate. After walking the five miles to the nearest village, Maddie and her maid must have traveled to Tunbridge Wells where she could purchase tickets on the stage. He looked down at the paper where Henry had written down the addresses. The nanny lived in Malmesbury, which was closer than Bath. Maddie might choose to go there. He tossed up in his mind where to go first and decided on Malmesbury and rode home to pack a portmanteau.
Hart ordered the curricle to be brought around and glanced at the sky as he walked to the house. He had about five hours of daylight left.
*
In the lateafternoon, the coach reached Bath and pulled up beside the Crown Inn. Maddie and Jane climbed gratefully down. As they gathered up their bags tossed down onto the pavement, Maddie took a deep breath of fresh air. The coach stank of sweat and meaty odors after the man opposite brought out a sausage and took a painstakingly long time to eat it. A young child sniveled on her mother’s lap. The woman looked exhausted, but she shook her head when Jane offered to hold her child so she could rest.
Maddie stretched and gazed around to get her bearings. They must find a hackney in Milsom Street to take them to her Aunt Libby’s townhouse. It would be a long walk uphill, and she and Jane drooped with fatigue.
“Aunt Libby will be pleased to see me,” she said, attempting to sound cheerful, although she longed for a cup of tea and a sandwich, followed by a good long rest. They barely had time to eat when the stage stopped at the last inn, and the rocking of the coach took away her appetite.
On reaching Milsom Street, Maddie saw a hackney coming along the road. She ran out to hail it down.
The jarvie put them down outside her aunt’s terraced house on Bathwick Hill. Maddie paid him, and they carried their luggage to the door.
With the lure of comfort and friendly faces, Maddie grasped the knocker and rapped smartly.
A moment later, a maid in a mobcap opened it. The girl’s mouth formed an ‘o.’ “Lady Madeline?”
“Yes, Mary.” Maddie walked past the astonished girl and removed her soiled gloves. “Is my aunt in?”
“No, milady. Your aunt is in London.”
Maddie’s heart sank. “London?”
“Yes. I’ll fetch Mrs. Wilmot. The housekeeper will explain.”
Maddie and Jane sank down on the sofa in the parlor. Mrs. Wilmot bustled in a few minutes later. “Lady Madeline! Lady Elizabeth and Catherine left yesterday for London. They’ll be gone for two months.”
“I wasn’t aware they were to leave so soon,” Maddie said, her hopes dashed.
“I believe your aunt wrote to advise you of their plans and invite you to make your come- out with Catherine. Did you not receive her letter?”
Maddie stared at her. “No, I didn’t.”
