“Might she have gone with him? Or perhaps he encouraged her?”
“It is possible.”
Thomasin sighed. “I should have left her in Suffolk. She has proven to be more of a challenge than a blessing. Do we know where this smith is based?”
“In Ironbar Lane. Williams has gone there already.”
“Right. Then we must await him. I am in need of some wine, Giles, if I am to survive this day!”
SIXTEEN
Williams returned within the half hour, shaking his head sadly. His cheeks were ruddy and he paused to recover his breath before joining them in the parlour.
“My lord, ladies, I regret to inform you that she has not been seen this day in Ironbar Lane. I spoke with the smith and his son, who had engaged with her earlier this afternoon, but neither could offer any news as to her whereabouts, although I offered them both coin.”
“Thank you, Williams. Please ask any other tradespeople coming to the house for sightings of her.”
“Yes, my lord.”
After he had gone, Giles turned to Thomasin. “There is little more we can do. She might be anywhere in London by now.”
“I can’t abandon her.”
“I’m not suggesting you do. We can inform the sheriff, but short of that, we could only walk the streets, looking.”
“Then perhaps that it what we need to do.”
“You must be realistic. London is a huge place.”
“I can’t just sit here and do nothing. I don’t understand why she has gone. I made it clear to her after the fire.”
Giles shrugged. “I think to a country girl, the attractions of the city have proved too much. You cannot have known she would prove so flighty.”
“But I do not believe she is. She does not seem to have a flighty character, more of a nervous, anxious disposition, from what I have seen. There is something seriously amiss here. I dread telling her father I have lost her!”
“She has lost herself!” said Lettice indignantly. “You gave her this opportunity, brought her here, and she has caused nothingbut trouble. She does not deserve your concern! I would never behave as she has!”
“Lettice, you have had many advantages that Mariot has never enjoyed.”
“But she has been told, twice. None of our other servants in any of our properties have made such mistakes as she has. You should send her straight back to the country for all the worry she has caused. And the fire! All that cost.”
Thomasin sighed. She could not argue against her sister’s points, but she felt a little more compassion for the girl.
“She will probably come back soon,” said Giles, “when she remembers, or finds her way. She is likely to be lost again.”
“Perhaps she won’t!” raged Lettice, her eyes growing fiery as her temper rose. “She has taken advantage of you and is off having fun in some unknown place while you worry at home.”
“Let us all take a moment,” said Giles calmly, “and think of any other places where she might go.”
“Have you looked in her chamber?” asked Thomasin.
“Yes. There is nothing there to guide us. Just her bed and clothing.”
“So she took nothing with her?”
“Nothing but the clothes she was wearing, by the looks of things.”
“Then she has not planned to stay away; that is something.”
