An Unsinkable Love(71)
Malcolm headed to the alcove where he'd left his fiancée, but the chairs were empty. He asked everyone standing nearby if they'd seen her leave. The blank or curious stares he received in return were answer enough. This didn't feel right. Malcolm was sure Eldon was up to more than just causing a rift between him and Bree, and the thought caused a painful contraction in his chest. He followed the hallway, opening doors as he came to them. When he looked across the library and realized he could see Melody framed by the middle pane of windows, a flash of guilt jolted through him, followed by a feeling of dread. He pushed open the door at the end of the hall and entered the kitchen. Controlled mayhem confronted him as Bertie and her assistants bustled around the room, dodging servers loading heavy silver platters and trays with food and drinks. There was a loud crash and the sound of breaking glass as two men collided.
Bertie swore like a drayman.
He surveyed the kitchen but saw no sign of Bree. Malcolm started to turn back when a scullery maid tentatively approached him, plucking at his sleeve. "Sir? The little miss.
Is she all right?"
He bent down to the maid, not more than thirteen or fourteen, the eldest daughter of Bertie. "What do you mean?"
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An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
The girl appeared ready to bolt but managed to stammer out, "The miss. She looked like she was crying."
Malcolm grabbed her by the shoulders but quickly let go as sheer panic filled her eyes. He took a calming breath and asked quietly, "When did you see her?"
"Just a bit ago. She went out back. I checked a few minutes later, but she was gone."
Malcolm heard the last part of the sentence over his shoulder as he slammed through the screen door into the night.
* * * *
The yard was empty. Silent as a grave. Seeing no sign of Bree, he turned to the barn. Perhaps she'd gone to see Murray. Maybe her legs hurt and she went for more salve?
Malcolm's feet moved faster across the hard-packed dirt.
There were only a few lanterns burning in the massive building, giving off a faint, smoky light that cast deep shadows. "Bree?" he called, running more than walking now.
"Bree, are you there, love?"
Silence.
He was only a few stalls from the far end when one of the half doors swung into his path. He barely managed to stop as Murray stepped out.
"What's the hurry, boy? You and that pretty miss playing hide-n-seek?" Murray's face crinkled in amusement at his joke.
"Have you seen Bree? They said she came out into the yard, but I can't find her."
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An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
The smile slipped from Murray's face. "She's not here. I ain't seen her." The old man seemed to sense Malcolm's growing panic.
He spun away, thinking frantically of where else he should search. The groom called after him, "Carl took the big car out, and Mr. Eldon took the Pierce Arrow right after. They ain't been gone more 'n ten minutes or so, but I didn't see your girl."
Malcolm stopped in his tracks. Eldon drove the Arrow? Why would Eldon take his car when Carlisle drove the Rolls? He was more convinced than ever Eldon was up to something that did not bode well for Bree.
In a few long strides, Malcolm was at the Mercer. He quickly made the necessary adjustments and cranked the car.
With a throaty roar that left the barn full of horses kicking and prancing, and would certainly earn him a dressing down from Murray, he accelerated out into the lane. He pushed the car as fast as he dared, the small electric headlamps barely piercing the darkness. As the car slewed around a corner, Malcolm wrenched the brake handle and careened across the road to avoid hitting a car parked half on and half off the roadway. The racecar bounced down a small embankment and barely missed a big maple before rattling to a stop. He shook his head to clear it from the wild ride, then shifted into reverse and powered the car back up to the road. As he braked hard the car skidded around, its feeble lights illuminated a prone body lying in a pool of dark liquid next to the Rolls' open door. With a heavy weight in his chest, Malcolm climbed out and knelt next to Carlisle's body. A quick 241
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
touch confirmed the man was dead. Malcolm stepped around to the Rolls and climbed into the back seat, his heart pounding. No small, copper-headed body sprawled lifelessly on the broad bench seat. Thank God! The weight in his chest eased a tiny bit.