One dark brow lifted. ‘Miss Lucas, you are playing a dangerous game. If I am to uncover these people, I must know everything.’
‘I have questioned her already,’ Charlotte replied quickly, deciding Sarah’s name must remain concealed as well. ‘She knows nothing further. But if you summon her—or even speak with her below stairs—you may place a target upon her back. She is terrified, and rightly so. I will not risk her safety.’
She steadied herself before continuing.
‘But I strongly advise posting trusted men near the maids’ quarters.’
Lord Stanley exhaled slowly, frustration and reluctant admiration warring across his features.
‘If Mrs Dent was seen removing the girls’ belongings and claiming they left willingly, where precisely did she say Lucy went?’
‘The maid told me Mrs Dent sent Lucy on an errand to the village the day she disappeared.’
Lord Stanley turned away, his voice edged with steel.
‘So the girl could have been taken anywhere between the estate and the village.’
‘I thought so too at first,’ Charlotte admitted, wringing her hands. ‘But I no longer believe Lucy ever left this estate.’
That brought his full attention back to her.
‘Explain.’
‘One of the footmen was sent to the village afterwards to collect supplies for the cook—not ten minutes after Lucy departed. Had she truly gone towards the village, he would have seen her.’
He stared at her for a long moment. Then a flicker of impressed surprise crossed his face.
‘Very well deduced, Miss Lucas. It takes nearly twenty minutes merely to reach the edge of the grounds, which leaves a far more troubling conclusion. The girl was abducted on my own land.’
A terrible weight settled over the room.
‘But how is that possible?’ he muttered. ‘The grounds are watched. Any strange carriage or wagon entering the estate would have been reported at once.’
A heavy silence descended between them.
Mrs Dent might hold the answer to this. But to accuse her openly would risk exposing Lord Stanley’s infiltration of the Odd Fellows.
Neither needed to say it aloud.
Their eyes met in silent understanding.
At last, Charlotte said quietly, ‘Perhaps Lucy was taken out another way—one no one has considered.’
Lord Stanley shook his head.
‘Since my return, I have secured all other means of access to the Alderley grounds, mostly to guard against further attempts upon my life. The approaches are constantly watched.’
‘I see.’
But Charlotte did not see at all. How was this possible? It was as though the girl had vanished into thin air. She found herself utterly perplexed, unable to draw any sensible conclusion.
‘Miss Lucas...’ Lord Stanley’s attention settled fully upon her. ‘You have done remarkable work uncovering all of this. Leave this matter with me now. I shall investigate it further.’
Then his expression grew more serious.
‘As you may already have observed, I have stationed footmen outside your rooms. In fact, every male servant in this house is one of my Bow Street men—Holden included. Nevertheless, you must exercise caution when walking the grounds with Tom. I shall ensure a footman accompanies you.’
Alarmed, Charlotte tightened her grip upon the arm of the chair.
