The Marquis and I (The Worthingtons #4)(19)
Betsy immediately clasped her hands together, holding them to her chest. “My dear Mrs. Wick, surely she would not have run off. Annabelle is such a good girl.”
“She is at that.” The older woman wiped her eyes and nodded. “He must have knocked her out and took her.” Betsy could see when the idea entered the woman’s head. “Can ye help, miss? I know yer used to working for folks richer than us. We don’t have a lot, but we’ll give ye what we got to get our dear girl back.”
“You do not even need to ask.” She wrapped her arms gently around Mrs. Wick. “You and your family have been such good friends to me, I will do it without compensation.”
“Oh, thank ye, thank ye. I don’t know what we’d do without ye!” She straightened her apron. Pulling out a fresh handkerchief, she blew her nose. “Will ye go right away?”
“Of course. If you will tell me the name of the man who took her and anything you can remember about him, I shall begin the search as soon as I have delivered the lady the Smiths brought in yesterday.” Betsy glanced at Burt. “We’ll leave within the hour.” Turning back to Mrs. Wick, Betsy asked, “Do you think you are well enough to prepare something for the young lady upstairs to eat, and help her clean up?”
“Oh, goodness.” The woman jumped. “I’d forgot all about her. I’ll have her ready directly after I bring you a cup of tea in the parlor. Won’t do for a lady such as yerself to be in the common room. Not even this early in the morn.”
“You are so kind, Mrs. Wick. I thank you.” Betsy smiled at the lady before making her way to the only room in the inn that could pass for a parlor.
It was because the place did not generally cater to gentry that she’d chosen it. What she really wanted to know now was who the gentleman was who took Annabelle and how much he’d pay Betsy to keep the chit. It stood to reason that by the time she found the girl she’d no longer be a virgin.
Several moments later, an ear-piercing scream stabbed the air.
“I’ve found her, I’ve found her!” Mrs. Wick’s shouting could have been heard in the next village.
Well, that was a short-lived deal, Betsy thought sourly.
The landlady ran into the room. “Oh, Miss Betsy, you won’t believe what happened. That wicked young lady, although I don’t know as I should use that term for her after what she did, had a gun and tied my Annabelle up. That Lord Braxton helped her.” Mrs. Wick was wringing her apron again. “He must have been the reason she ran away from her lawful husband.”
Betsy bit down on her lip hard to keep from saying things she shouldn’t. Burt and Dan would have a lot to answer for. Bloody fools letting Lady Charlotte get away after all the planning that had gone into capturing her. And how the devil had she got ahold of a pistol? They’d answer for that as well.
“Please tell both Mr. Smiths I would like to see them.”
“Yes, Miss Betsy. I’ll get them right away.”
She had just drained the cup when Burt knocked on the door and opened it, dragging Dan by the sleeve. For several long moments, she remained where she was, allowing the silence to weigh heavily while the two men fidgeted. Finally, she asked, “How did she get a pistol?”
Burt looked at Dan, then back to her. “She must a had it in her basket.”
Betsy’s back teeth clenched as she tried to control her temper. Losing it here where everyone thought she was a lady would not help. “A basket.” She bit off the end of the word. “Is there a reason you did not look in this basket?”
“I asked,” Dan said, glaring up at Burt. “Asked if she had any food in it.” Dan shrugged off Burt’s hand. “She said she was going to fetch somethin’.”
Betsy focused on Burt. “And it did not occur to you to think she was lying?”
“No, miss. I was busy keeping Dan from trying to get to know her, if you know what I mean.” He glowered at Dan. “I never thought a young lady would have a gun. She was just walking to the other house.”
Well that, she had to admit, made sense. Betsy didn’t think she would have thought of it either. Although, if she were a man, she’d plant both of her employees facers just for losing the chit. And Dan. Bloody hell! Just what she needed, a man who couldn’t keep his hands to himself.
Reaching into her reticule, she pulled out a sack. “Dan, here is your payment. I will not need you again for a while.”
His jaw dropped, but he grabbed the money and dashed out of the parlor.
“Burt, how do you plan to remedy this problem?” Because she would get Lady Charlotte back. The amount that lord was willing to pay for her made the gentry-mort worth more than Betsy’s last three packages all together.
*
The early morning dew had dried when Lord Kenilworth handed Lady Bellamny and Charlotte into her ladyship’s large traveling coach. She could barely stand to have him touch her and was glad for her gloves.
Thinking he would travel with them, she had sat next to Lady Bellamny. Thankfully, his lordship had opted to drive his phaeton instead of riding in the carriage with the ladies.
“I shall put your lack of manners, which I know you possess,” Lady Bellamny said in a caustic tone, “to the horrible experiences of the past day.” Her ladyship looked at Charlotte, making her feel as if she were six again instead of eighteen. “I will expect you to behave correctly to Lady Kenilworth.”