He took her hand as they turned toward the porch steps, but just then, Dominic flew from the house. When he noticed them, he stopped sharply. Deep lines were around his eyes and mouth. His attention shifted between Ellie and Vincent.
“What’s wrong?” Dominic asked.
“I should ask you the same thing.” She released Vincent’s hand, walked up the stairs, and touched her brother’s arm.
Dominic sighed heavily. “Father has gone missing.”
Chapter Nine
The next twohours crept by. Vincent paced in the duke’s drawing room, along with Dominic and Ellie. The Metropolitan Police had arrived and asked everyone questions. Their inspectors scoped out the property, but neither the duke nor Ellie’s horse were located.
Many times, Vincent wanted to hold Ellie and comfort her, but that wouldn’t be proper until their wedding announcement was made…and he now wondered if that would ever happen. Indeed, there were games afoot, and none of them were worth playing.
Ellie eyed her stepmother warily. As misfortune had touched the duke’s household, it appeared to bring Edgar Stone with it. There were many reasons why she didn’t like that man. One of them being that Ellie’s parents had wanted her to marry the terrible fellow. But over the years, the imbecile had also given Vincent several reasons not to like him. Stone was a poor gambler, and a worse loser. He was a violent drunk, which was why he struck women until they were bruised and bleeding.
Vincent poured some of the duke’s finest port in a glass and tossed it down. Helplessness swept over him. There must be something he could do to assist in the matter. Ellie, her brother, and even her stepmother appeared desolate. If Vincent had only known the duke better, perhaps he’d be able to help the police with the investigation.
He looked back at Ellie. A maid had fixed her hair into a coil at the back of her head, but Vincent imagined it the way it had been this morning. Although she wore a day dress, she appeared as though she’d just awoken from a long night’s rest. Her long hair had waved down her arms and back in a very seductive fashion. Usually, he didn’t see a woman’s hair like that unless he was bidding them farewell the next morning after an eventful evening of passion.
From across the room, her gaze rested on him. The police inspector who’d been asking her questions finally left. Vincent walked toward her. The poor woman’s eyes were red and puffy from her crying. An overwhelming urge to enfold her in his arms came over him, stronger than before. If they were the only two people in the room, he’d gladly take her in his arms and comfort her.
“Walk outside with me?” he asked when he reached her.
“Yes. I do need some fresh air.”
She hooked her hand around his elbow, and he led her out of the drawing room and outside. The sun disappeared behind a dark cloud, and the wind picked up. But Ellie acted as though she didn’t mind the slight chill in the air. Vincent enjoyed the refreshing temperature, but especially the open space. If he had stayed inside that room one more minute, he would have screamed.
Ellie stopped, closed her eyes, and tilted her face upward. Her bosom rose and fell from her deep breaths. He could stare at her like this for hours without getting bored. She was simply adorable.
“Oh, Vincent. What are we to do?” She looked at him. “What if Father isn’t found?”
He took her hands into his loosely. “Try not to think that way.”
“How can I not? You received a threatening note, and now this.” She paused, glancing toward the stable. “I believe it’s all connected some way.”
“It certainly seems planned.”
She turned back to him. “Did you tell the police about it?”
“I did, and they seemed rather put off that I hadn’t reported it earlier.”
“Why hadn’t you?”
“Because I wanted to speak to your father first.” He squeezed her hands. “I knew he would know what we could do about it. That is why I came this morning, when I found you by the stable.”
Sighing, she stepped closer to him and rested her head on his chest. “I told the police about the suspicions I have over Edgar Stone and my stepmother.”
Curiosity rose inside of him. “What suspicions?”
Her body stiffened before she looked up. “I didn’t tell you?”
“No.”
“I overheard Augusta speaking with her nephew. The whiney little bugger still wants to marry me, and Augusta promised she couldswaymy father’s thinking. Augusta told Edgar to do something that would impress me.” She huffed. “I don’t think the man is intelligent, but would he take my horse and father as a way of impressing me? I don’t think so.”
Anger pulsed inside Vincent. How dare those two try to complicate Ellie’s life? “I pray the police take what you told them seriously. Like you, I don’t think Edgar is smart enough to think of a plan like this, but the duchess may be that vindictive.”
“I’m quite certain Augusta is very intelligent and calculating. I’ve always felt that she manipulated herself into my father’s life.”
