Page 76 of The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess
“Miss Robins, good morning,” Moses greeted with enthusiasm, “From Lord Dalton are Miss Verona Mills and Mr. Henry Cartridge. They will be your companions while I am away.”
Verona curtseyed, “Pleased to meet you, Miss Robins.”
“As am I,” Caroline replied humbly as the magnitude of what was happening fully dawned upon her. These people had come to assist her but the unspoken reality was that they might lose their lives doing so. All because of her evil uncle who could not let her go.
“Aye, Miss Robins,” Mr. Cartridge echoed after his bow, “Lord Dalton sends his regards.”
“I cannot think of how to repay him,” Caroline added, “This generosity is unfounded in human nature.”
“Actually,” Moses mused, “It is only very rare.”
It was then Caroline noted the Duke’s dress and saw that he was clad for the journey back. Profound regret through her like a heated lance. “You are going back, now, aren’t you?”
“I must,” Moses sighed, “Will you both excuse us for a moment? Your rooms are down the hallway to your right.”
Both made the appropriate curtsey and bow before leaving and just looking at the man she loved and knowing that he had to part ways, left Caroline with the empty sensation of the air being sucked out of her lungs.
“I know this is hard, my love,” Moses said quietly while resting a hand on her shoulder, “But I must return. I have to find out who the spy is and have them punished. You have to understand, Caroline, I cannot let this injustice continue under my roof.”
“I know and I do understand…” she trailed off, “I suppose it is that I will…miss you.”
His hand rose to brush against her cheek then drew back, “As will I, but take heart. I will work tirelessly to have this matter resolved and you can come back a free person with no hounds of hell chasing you.”
Caroline swallowed as she fought the tears she felt building behind her eyes, “Thank you…and safe journey.”
Nodding, Moses swept his cloak over him and smiled once more. Then he was gone. Caroline gravitated to the window to look as he boarded the carriage and it was off. Pressing her hand to the pane she looked out as the tears silently dripped down her cheeks.
* * *
The Barony of Rowe
“What do you mean she’s gone?!” Albion hollered at Mr. White “How can she be gone?”
The blackguard did not flinch at the man’s bluster but calmly replied, “No one has seen her from three days ago. The household woke up and she was gone. Our contact in the house says not a word was said in regards to where they were going.”
“They?”
“She and the Duke, My Lord.”
A fragile figurine that usually rested on the Baron’s desk as a paperweight was lobbed right into the wall and the splinters shattered on the floor.
“Unacceptable!” Albion roared, “She must be found! We are this close, we must find her. I don’t care what the cost is, round up every blackguard, every charlatan, and every crony you can, and find her!”
“Yes, My Lord.” Mr. White replied while donning his cap. “And if we do find her?”
“Kill her, without remedy.”
Chapter 28
The moment Moses set foot back into the mansion after a two-day journey back home—they had cut out the frequent stops for food and lodging—the Duke was on a mission to find who the infiltrator in his house was. He quickly changed out of his traveling clothes and back into his normal stately attire and went to his study.
“Hinds,” Moses spoke strictly as he entered the room. “Gather all the main house staff and line them in the dining room as soon as possible. I need to have a discourse with them. If they ask why they are being summoned, just say it an order. Get them there.”
“Understood, Your Grace,” the butler replied and bowed out.
The Duke caught a glimpse of himself in a nearby mirror and noted the line in his jaw and the hardness in his eyes. A burning fire was in the middle of his chest and the push to find this traitor consumed him.
“They are ready, Your Grace.”
