Page 45 of The Widow Wore Plaid

“Yes, I need my riding breeches, jacket, and boots.” Not waiting for assistance, Matthew kicked his shoes off, then peeled the evening jacket from his arms and flung it in the air. “The rest will have to stay the same. I’ve not a moment to lose.”

Snaring the evening jacket handily, the valet automatically folded it over a chair. “Of course, my lord.” As though the castle were ablaze, Tidwell commenced to strip off Matthew’s pants, adding them to the jacket, then disappearing into the dressing room. In record time he’d produced a brown hunting jacket and buckskin breeches and commenced the re-dressing. Matthew took the opportunity to scribble a note for Fanny. The women should know what was going on, but he couldn’t take the time to tell her in person. Not ten minutes after he’d called for Tidwell, Matthew handed him the note with instructions, then hurried back down the stairs and out into the dusky twilight.

Grant had been good as his word. Grooms stood about, holding horses. Torches flared and footmen carried lanterns, except for one who held a tray of stirrup cups, as though it was a hunt. Well, it was a hunt of sorts. Matthew mounted Lucifer, grabbed one of the silver fox-headed cups, and downed the swallow of good port. He needed a cool head and a steady hand tonight.

Soon the men were assembled, astride their horses, and Matthew gave the coachman the signal. The older man gave a shout and led them across the bridge and to the right. According to Grant, Loch Kinellan was scarcely half a mile from the castle, although the loch itself would take several hours to cover the four miles of shoreline surrounding it. Blast, there was also that crannog Kinellan had told him of. An island jutting into the loch, not far from the castle and a likely picnic spot. He touched Lucifer’s flank and the horse stepped up his pace to a gallop. Best catch the coachman before they got too far from the island. With a little luck, they’d return to the ladies in no time, with Kinellan and Jane in tow and quite a tale to tell.

* * *

The atmosphere in the drawing room after dinner had a brittle feeling to it, an uncomfortable sensation for Bella, to say the least. Like balancing on your toes and having pins and needles all at once. Therefore she kept waiting for something to happen, but nothing did. The ladies of Maria’s circle gathered, as usual, on the sofa and surrounding chairs. The women related to Lord Kinellan, a much-reduced group by this time, sat on chairs and chaises near the fireplace. Tonight that meant only two ladies were so situated, Lady Prudence and another woman Bella didn’t know. Perhaps she should suggest to Maria to invite the family members to join the Happy Ever Afters’ gathering. Everyone was still talking about the same thing: the conspicuous absence of the host and hostess.

“I am beginning to be worried,” Lady St. Just said, dropping lump after lump of sugar into her tea. “It’s not like Jane not to send one of us a note at least.”

“It certainly isn’t like her, Georgie.” Maria had worked herself up into such a state she couldn’t sit still, instead pacing back and forth before the sofa, like a caged beast. “My cousin simply wouldn’t make us wait so long to know she was safe.” She sniffed and dove into her reticule for a handkerchief. “No, I fear something horrible has happened to her.” Maria dropped down onto the sofa, weeping softly.

“Now, my dear”—Lady Brack pulled Maria’s head onto her shoulder and grasped her hands—“you really must not take on so. Such weeping will harm the baby.”

“Please don’t worry, Maria.” Lady Wrotham leaned over Lady Brack to pat Maria’s arm. “You know how resourceful Jane is. How organized. If something untoward has befallen her and Kinellan, Jane will devise a plan. Mark my words.”

Maria, however, would not be consoled. She buried her face in Lady Brack’s shoulder, her tears wetting the fabric, quite possibly ruining the lovely rose-colored gown.

The door opened to admit Grant, who headed directly for Lady Lathbury and presented her with a folded piece of paper. “For you, my lady.”

The lady read it and a grim look of satisfaction crossed her face. “Thank you, Grant.” She turned to the ladies of the group. “Matthew has taken matters into his own hands and organized a search party.” Raising her chin, she addressed the ladies sitting across the room, their eyes fixed on her. “Lady Prudence, Mrs. Cameron, would you please join us? As you are Kinellan’s kinfolk, this must concern you as well.”

“It’s about time one of the gentlemen came to his senses and decided to take action.” The feathers in Lady Prudence’s black turban waggled back and forth when she spoke, making it difficult for Bella to stifle her laughter. But as the imposing woman rose and made her way toward the sofa, that laughter died away. “Was it your husband, my dear? The dark one who’s of the same stature as Kinellan? Very like they seem to be.”

“Yes, Lady Prudence, my husband, Lord Lathbury, is attempting a rescue this instant.” Fanny smiled and sat straighter. “Please do be seated over here.”

“Come along, Hortensia.” The elderly lady shot her companion a pointed look. “We may as well be informed as not.”

A middle-aged matron who had been talking to Lady Prudence bounded up at the command and rushed to keep up with her. Much to Bella’s dismay, they settled in chairs on either side of hers. Now she’d have to behave with utmost decorum. She’d always been a little fearful of Jane, to tell the truth, but that was as nothing compared to the depth of her terror at the thought of Lady Prudence sitting mere inches from her. Bella inched backward in her chair and kept her attention on Lady Lathbury.

“The note just delivered to me has informed me that the gentlemen have mounted a rescue mission. There is some speculation that Lord Kinellan and Lady John were taking a picnic lunch to Loch Kinellan and have met with some slight misadventure.”

Lady Lathbury’s words were interrupted by a huge sob from Maria.

“Shh, my dear.” Lady Brack patted her friend’s back. “They will find them, I am sure.”

“We must now wait for the gentlemen to return, hopefully with the lord and lady none the worse for wear. I shall ring for more tea. We will likely need it.” Fanny tugged on the bellpull and gave the order to Grant when he reappeared, then returned to the group. “We have to believe this is all a tempest in a cream pot and we shall laugh about it tomorrow.”

“I only pray your words are true, my lady.” Lady Prudence sniffed. “It would be just like Kinellan to get himself and his bride into mischief practically on the eve of their wedding.”

“I’m certain they did not do this on purpose, Lady Prudence.” Lady St. Just spoke up, cocking her head. “Or if they did, it was just a lark that went badly. I’ve had that happen to me before. Rob says I have a talent for it, in fact. Lord St. Just, that is.”

“If only Kinellan had listened to me and married Lady John when she first arrived at Castle Kinellan, I wouldn’t have had to worry so much about him getting an heir.” Lady Prudence sniffed again, her eyes mere slits. “If they had married in June, Lady John could have been a good three months gone with child this minute, unless Kinellan is different from most of the Seton men. Every one of them has four or five sons to his credit. Kinellan’s father, Hamish, had four sons and two daughters, although Kinellan’s the only son to survive.” The older lady looked upward, a thoughtful look on her face. “Come to think of it, the only Seton to have a single child was Hamish’s younger brother Ian. Only the one child, but a son nevertheless.” She shook her head sadly. “He’s been here most of the week, so Kinellan told me. I saw him at the luncheon, and I talked to his wife, Kitty, earlier tonight, though I’ve not seen him today. Rory Seton.” She looked around the little group expectantly. “Kinellan’s heir, well, at least until he gets one of his own.”

Bella sat taking in every word, memorizing every name and detail to relay to Lord Harold. She couldn’t be sure any of Lady Prudence’s ramblings would make any difference, but still it would give her something to talk about when the men returned. Lord Harold would surely have much to tell her as well.

“Where is Mrs. Seton?” Fanny’s keen eyes took in all the faces around their circle.

“I was talking to her before we went in to dinner.” Lady Prudence peered around the room as though she could have overlooked someone. “Odd behavior even for Kitty. She never stirs a step unless Rory is with her.”

“Was she at dinner?” Lady Wrotham looked to Fanny, who closed her eyes and began a count.

“Matthew, St. Just, Brack, Wrotham, Granger, Cameron, Argyll.” She opened her eyes. “The men were all down at the far end of the table and the ladies at the other. Oh.” She turned pointedly to Bella, who had been trying to be so quiet and unobtrusive. “Except for Bella and Lord Harold. They were in the middle, side by side, talking exclusively to one another.” She pursed her lips and stared hard at Bella. “I don’t suppose you remember seeing Mrs. Seton?”

Blowing out a breath, Bella shook her head. “Not at dinner.” She’d only noticed Lord Harold. “But before dinner, I saw her sitting alone in that corner”—she pointed to the corner with a window—“then Lady Prudence went to talk to her.”