“It is about your brother, Georgie,” Catherine put in, frowning at her husband.
“Has he finally offered for Lady Sarah Wharton as our parents wish?All London has been holding its breath,” Georgiana said.
“No!The gossip is that her father gave him an ultimatum and he declined to offer.”Catherine told her.
“That sounds like Richard,” Georgiana said.“He doesn’t take kindly to coercion.”
“Have you seen him,” Will asked.
“No.Not— What is going on?”Georgiana demanded.
“He’s gone missing.”
“Ridiculous!”Andrew said.“The Marquess of Glenaire does not just go missing.”Richard would never do anything so thoughtless.
“Have you spoken with his minions, Roger Heaton and Walter Stewart?”Andrew asked.
“I cornered Heaton at Whitehall, and he was evasive,” Will answered.
“There you have it.Richard is off on some secret government mischief,” Andrew said.
Will shook his head.“Heaton looked nervous.Worse, worried.I don’t think they know where he is.”
“Are you implying my brother ran off without Castlereagh’s directive?”Georgiana demanded.
“That is exactly what I’m saying.”
Andrew studied his wife’s worried face.“He wouldn’t run off to avoid gossip like some men would.”
“Never,” she agreed.“He’s been obsessed with the Volkov business.And Lilias Thornton.”
Will nodded “I’m worried.This is not like him.
A disturbance at the door interrupted them and Roger Heaton himself barged in before the butler could announce him.His bow, even to the earl, was perfunctory.
“Forgive my rag manners,” he said, hesitating.“I thought—that is—” He ran a hand though his hair.
“It is my brother the marquess, isn’t it?”Georgiana said.
“He has disappeared.Is it Volkov?Tell us what you know,” Andrew demanded.
Heaton looked harried, but came to a decision.“The Marquess left on the Gibralter packet from Portsmouth yesterday.We lost track of Volkov.He may have gone in pursuit, he’s been that determined to stop the man.I thought—that is I hoped he left word with family, but His Grace, your father, dismissed it as nonsense.”
“He left no word with us,” Andrew said, taking Georgiana’s hand.
Heaton nodded sadly, made his apologies, promised to bring word if there was any, and left.
“What do you think, Andrew?Gibraltar?”Will asked.
“I don’t like this any more than you do.If the issue is private…” Andrew murmured.
“He may prefer the help of friends over officials.”Will finished.
“If he’ll take help at all,” Andrew muttered.
Andrew turned to his wife.“He may need help, Georgie, no matter what quest he’s gone off on by himself.He would?—”
“Yes he would help any of us.Besides, Will will go without you if you don’t follow him,” Georgiana replied.She smiled sadly at Catherine.
