Page 79 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife
She could have been abducted.She could have had an accident.She couldn’t have lost her way.York wasn’t large, and they’d explored it together when they first arrived.They’d been happy then.Lost in a sensual Eden and reveling in each other’s company.
Hugo rang the bell and when Liddell appeared, he waved toward Wesley.“Get Wesley something to eat and some hot water.And send Fogg to me as a matter of urgency.”
“Very good, Sir Hugo.”Liddell hid his curiosity well, but Hugo knew that the butler was as agog to know what was wrong as his sisters were.
Wesley stood and bowed.“Thank you, Sir Hugo.”
“Stay and rest while I ride to York.Follow when you’re up to it.”
The man lifted his chin.“Begging your pardon, sir, but I’ll come back with you, if you don’t mind.All the servants are devoted to Miss…” He cast a glance at Liddell.“…the lady.We want to see her safe.”
Hugo was touched to hear that the servants loved Athene.She tried so hard to pretend she was flint-hearted and independent, but the act wasn’t very convincing.He summoned up a smile.“If that’s what you want.Thank you.I’ll be ready to go in the next ten minutes.Grab something from the kitchen and we’ll be off.”
Wesley bowed and went out with the butler.
While he waited for Fogg, Hugo racked his brains for where Athene might have gone.The most obvious answer was that she’d sought out her family.But he’d believed her when she said that they’d broken with her forever.
Liddell must have taken Hugo’s request for haste seriously.Within minutes, Fogg appeared.“Sir Hugo, you wanted to see me?”
“Miss de Smith has gone missing in York.I want you to come with me and help look for her.”Fogg knew every groom and coachman in Yorkshire.He had access to information beyond Hugo’s reach.And he was a friend as well as a servant.Hugo had an ominous feeling that he’d need a friend before this matter reached its end.“Saddle our four fastest horses.I’ll meet you in front of the house in five minutes.”
“Four horses, Sir Hugo?”
“Yes.You, me, Wesley, and Paul.He knows what Miss de Smith looks like and he knows how to keep his mouth shut.”
Fogg didn’t bother asking any more questions.He bowed and marched off with a swift purpose that went some way toward bolstering Hugo’s failing courage.
Hugo had changed into his traveling clothes and was running down the stairs when he saw his sisters and their husbands gathered in the hall.
“Hugo, what on earth is going on?”Maria asked.As the eldest child, Maria was the usual spokesperson for his many relatives.A role she relished.“Where are you going?”
“I have confidential business in York.I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Maria, devil take her, wasn’t to be fobbed off with that.“York again?You went yesterday and arrived back altogether done in.Surely you don’t need to make another trip so soon.”
“Maria, I can’t explain now.”Or ever.But he’d have to come up with a story sometime.After he knew that Athene was safe.He prayed that he’d arrive in York and find her waiting for him with some reasonable explanation for her absence.But the weight of foreboding in his gut told him that was unlikely.
“That’s not good enough.”His sister was on her high horse, he regretted to see.
“No, it’s not, Hugo,” Julia, his second sister, said.She’d made a lifelong career of backing up the more forceful Maria.“You haven’t been yourself this Christmas.It’s as if you’re not even here with us.Given we’ve all traveled so far to visit you, it’s not fair.Tell whoever wants you that they can see you tomorrow.Or even better, next week when you’re not playing host to your entire family.”
Hell, he didn’t have time for this.It was a good two hours’ ride to York.Who knew what could happen to Athene before he got there?
“I’m sorry.I’m sorry for everything, but I have to go.”Amidst a storm of protest, he pushed through the crowd.Liddell, bless him, had the door open already.Hugo hurtled down the exterior steps to find Wesley, Paul and Fogg already mounted.He flung himself onto his horse’s broad back and the four of them galloped along the avenue to the gates, even as his family rushed outside after him.
Chapter 21
I’m lost in night.
You’re not in sight.
The dark is near.
There is no cheer.
Once they reached York, Hugo immediately rushed to the house, hoping against hope that Athene would be there.She wasn’t.
He questioned every member of the household about her movements, including her tearful maid Franny, who was overcome with remorse that she hadn’t gone with her mistress.But it was as Wesley had said.Athene had slept the morning away, picked at a light meal, then left on what she’d said would be a short stroll.
