Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(58)

“I’ll have a footman find her. Should she meet you in the parlour?”

“Yes, Waters. Thank you, and thank the staff.”

Waters bowed then went about following his orders.

Edward went into the parlour and paced. “Edward, what’s happened? Is it Penelope?”

His face showed his concern with furrowed brows and a downturned mouth. “She’s missing. It’s been over two hours, maybe longer. I’m concerned. There are search parties inside and out.”

Cecilia’s hands moved to her mouth of their own volition. “Do we know where –”

“I bumped into him outside in an area none of us usually go. He was heading back here as I was running there. He was his surly self and no help. I told Old Robbie, and he’s scouring the area.”

Someone brought in tea and refreshments, but Cecilia and Edward didn’t notice.

Cecilia went to the window. Edward thought his mother might hope to see Penelope coming back from a long walk. Cecilia turned to Edward, “He’s done it this time, hasn’t he?”

Edward nodded. “Yes, I’m certain he’s behind it. I can’t believe I wasn’t watching her. It’s all my fault.”

Edward put his hands on his face while Cecilia rubbed his back up and down like she used to do when he was a child.

“You are guilty of nothing. He would have found a way to get to her no matter how closely you watched her. She’s a fourteen-year-old girl. She didn’t understand the true danger she was in.”

Edward’s voice was shaky. He was trying not to cry. “Mother, I hope she comes through the door after an enjoyable time in the village.”

Cecilia sat and hugged a pillow. “That menace not only makes our lives miserable but puts our lives in danger.”

She was looking into the empty fireplace when the door opened. She stood. “Avery, have you heard any news?”

He shook his head and put on a fake smile. “No, Cecilia. I have not. I just wanted to check on you and Edward. I can’t imagine the angst you are going through, but I will do everything I can to help.

“I understand all our men are searching the property, and the servants are searching the house. Is there anything else, anything at all I can do for you?”

Cecilia closed her eyes to stem the tears. “No, thank you, Avery. Your staff is wonderful, and they have put my mind at ease with all they are doing.”

Edward cleared his throat, “I hope you don’t mind, Uncle, but in my haste to search for Penelope, I asked your servants to help without first coming to you. I apologize.”

“No need, Edward. Anyone would have done the same thing in your situation.

“I also wanted you to know that I talked to Henry to see if he knew anything. He mentioned bumping into you near the meadow. He knows nothing either and is also panicked by the accident.”

Cecilia raised her head, “Accident? She has been in an accident? What do you know Avery?”

Avery quickly backtracked, “I didn’t mean to say she was in an accident. It is just one of the theories running through my head when I wonder what could have happened to her. I am sorry to alarm you. I meant nothing by it.”

Cecilia and Edward exchanged glances.

“Well, I will leave you. I’ll check in soon to update you on any progress I might hear. Dear Cecilia, I am hopeful for a good outcome. You need to be too.”

Edward sat and stared at the ceiling. “Why did Uncle say she was in an accident?”

With tears running down her face, Cecilia choked out, “Because Henry might have done something to her.”

Edward was sixteen, and he thought he was too old to cry, but tears streamed down his face. “Yes. He is capable of anything.”

Cecilia sobbed. She thought so too. And he would get away with it. Her brother was already covering Henry’s tracks. She was in an ‘accident.’

Cecilia and Edward sat in silence, the only sound in the room the tick of the clock. Edward wanted to throw it out the window. It was a reminder of how much time had passed since Penelope went missing.



Cecilia and Edward didn’t speak; they didn’t eat. Every hour, Edward went out to talk with Waters. He knew Waters would come to him immediately if there was something to tell, but he felt the need to go anyway. After the initial flurry of news about the village and the inside of the house – she was not in either location – news only trickled in.

Edward had to tell himself they were being very thorough and that’s why the wait was so long. He had to tell himself that repeatedly.

After over six hours since Edward realized she was gone, Cecilia and Edward heard the urgent voices of several men. They quickly looked at each other and ran to the door.

In the hallway, Penelope was unconscious and bleeding heavily from her head, in the arms of Old Robbie. He ran up the stairs two at a time and kicked in Penelope’s bedchamber door. He gently laid her on her bed.

Cecilia and Edward were right behind him. They knelt by her side. She was white and laboured to breathe. Cecilia looked at Edward. “She is close to death,” she whispered.

Edward went to Old Robbie.

He put a hand on Edward’s shoulder. “I sent a man into the village for the healer. She’ll be here soon.”

Edward closed the door and took Old Robbie to a corner of the room, all the time watching Penelope. “Is she going to make it?”