Stewart yelled into the phone as I pulled it away from my ear. "Tell Mr. Worthington I will be there in thirty minutes."
I immediately summoned Mrs. Bigsby, Stanley our head groundskeeper, and Marcus our head mechanic. I paced in the kitchen until the household was assembled before me.
Puffing out my chest, I tugged on my waistcoat before speaking.
"Staff, we have a situation. Mr. Worthington's Mercedes has been found crashed near Ravenscroft Estate. He may be injured, wandering in the woods, disoriented. There is also a chance he may be suffering from a gunshot wound."
Mrs. Bigsby gasped.
"A gunshot wound," she repeated in a shocked whisper as she pressed her pudgy fingers to her lips.
I sniffed before lifting my lip in a sneer. "Please, Mrs. Bigsby, this is no time for hysterics."
The elderly lady lowered her head. "Sorry, Mr. Tompkins."
She lifted her gaze just enough to meet mine. Mrs. Bigsby had served this house longer than I had. Very little escaped her notice, and even less surprised her.
"If I may, Mr. Thompkins," she said, stepping closer to me, her voice dropping so the others wouldn't overhear. "Thisbusiness at the courthouse. It wouldn't have anything to do with that girl, would it?"
I held her stare. "That is not our concern at present, Mrs. Bigsby."
"No," she agreed, folding her hands over her apron. "I suppose it isn't." She had her own opinions on the matter, as did I. However, as an equally loyal servant, she would keep them to herself...as would I.
Noddingcurtly, I turned to Stanley. "Release the dogs to see if they can pick up a scent. If we are lucky, they will lead us to Mr. Worthington. Marcus, please go collect Mr. Worthington's car. We have no need for anyone from town viewing the accident scene, which couldlead to idle speculation and gossip. I want the scene cleared before the first busybody arrives with a camera phone."
"Yes, Mr. Tompkins," they both said in unison.
A clap of thunder drew our attention to thekitchen's massive arched window. Swiveling my head back to the staff, I barked, "You have your instructions. Go, now. Work quickly. We haven't much time."
They dispersed.
All except Mrs. Bigsby, who lingered by the doorway, one hand on the frame.
"Out with it," I said without turning.
"That boy has been nothing but trouble since the day he drew breath. I've said it before and I will say it again, they may have been twins but they were never equal. He may be dead but with all the trouble Jameson is causing from the grave it is clear to me the Lord wasn't the one who took him from this earth but the Devil himself," she murmured as she crossed herself.
I stiffened. "That will be all, Mrs. Bigsby."
She dipped her chin and withdrew, her sensible shoes making no sound on the hardwood.
Once again, my gaze was drawn to thestorm battering the groundsoutside.
While I hoped Mr. Worthington was unharmed, I couldn't help but reflect on the damage both he and his despicable brother had wrought on the fine name of Worthington these last few months.
Perhaps it was past time I put into action the plans their late father entrusted into my care should either of his sons bring disgrace upon the family name. It would bea drastic response, but the circumstances left little room for half measures.
I feared I may have been too patient, too willing to believe the Worthington name could weather any storm on its own. That indulgence was finished.
CHAPTER 28
MADISON
After unbinding my wrists, Pierce rose to stand over me.
Another spark of lightning brightened the sky behind him. The grim halo of light backlit him so only the outline of his jaw and shoulders showed against the sky as he reached out his hand, palm up.
I ignored the gesture and tried to rise on my own, pushing my skirt back down and pulling my torn shirt closed. My knee hit a rock as I collapsed back onto the cold ground.
