Page 59 of His Perfect Bride
He tried to catch her eye, but she was too busy studying Mrs. Roberts and wasn’t paying him any heed. He stifled a sigh at their continued dilemma. Then he did what he needed to, even though he didn’t like having to lie. “I’m Mr. Lennox. Would you be so kind as to let the reverend know that my wife and I would like to speak to him as soon as possible? It’s a matter of some urgency.”
“Mr. Lennox?” She spoke the word with a note of relief.
“Yes.”
“My husband left something for you.”
Sage’s fingers tightened against his arm.
He pressed her hand back.
“Just one moment, please.” Mrs. Roberts closed the door, leaving them on the stoop by themselves.
“Maybe Augusta left us a note.” Sage leaned into him.
“Let us pray she gave us more than one word this time.”
“Yes, let’s hope so.”
He loved the way Sage’s shoulder felt pressed against him and the closeness of her arm wrapped through his. But even as he relished her touch, guilt prickled him that he was carrying on the duplicity regarding their marriage. “I apologize for having to deceive the reverend’s wife,” he whispered. “I had hoped we could find Augusta and not have to continue with our charade.”
“I regret that we have to lie too.”
“Maybe we should have gotten married before departing from Victoria.” As soon as the words were out, he inwardly cursed himself for blurting out the thought. It was one thing for him to mull over the possibility as he had last night, but it was another thing altogether to say it aloud.
He could feel Sage studying his face, likely trying to understand what he meant.
What exactly did he mean? He had to offer a plausible explanation. “It would have prevented us from having to lie.”
She was silent a heartbeat. “I don’t think that’s reason enough for entering into marriage, do you?”
It wasn’t. She was right. He’d already decided he didn’t want to coerce her. But…were there more reasons for them to be together? Or was he simply letting his desires for her get the best of him?
Before he could answer her question, the door opened again, and Mrs. Roberts stood before them holding out a folded slip of paper.
“My husband asked me to pass this along to you, Mr. Lennox, if you came while he was gone.”
Jackson took the paper, which was no bigger than the size of an envelope, and he unfolded it. There on the sheet was one of his drawings. A bridge. The Queen’s Bridge, to be exact.
He recoiled from it and let the paper fall from his hands and flutter to the ground. Augusta must have taken it from his study. Had she given it to the reverend? Or had the reverend stumbled across it at the church and realized it belonged to him as the builder?
Sage was already bending down and retrieving the paper. No doubt she recognized it after helping him organize so many other drawings and diagrams in his study.
“I wasn’t sure what good the drawing would do you.” Mrs. Roberts was watching him quizzically. “But my husband informed me that you are the talented engineer of the Queen’s Bridge and that this was likely important to the rebuilding efforts.”
Jackson could feel the angst swirling faster inside him, and he was afraid to answer for fear that his frustration would come out. Did the kidnapping have to do with his bridge? What if a family member of one of the deceased was seeking retribution and intended to use Augusta to make him pay for his mistakes?
As if sensing his turmoil, Sage slid her hand down and laced her fingers together with his. Somehow that simple movement seemed to seep inside and settle the storm brewing in his body. “Mr. Lennox’s sister was kidnapped several days ago.”
Mrs. Roberts’s hand fluttered up to her chest. “Oh dear. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“Perhaps she left the drawing as another clue to her whereabouts.” Sage fished in her reticule and pulled out the photo of Augusta they’d brought along. “Did you happen to see this woman? Or perhaps she saw your husband and gave him the drawing?”
Mrs. Roberts examined the photo then shook her head. “I’m sorry. No, I didn’t see her. But my husband said she came to the church.”
Jackson dragged in a breath. “Did your husband indicate her state of mind or well-being?”
“No, I’m sorry. He only spoke of the need to return the drawing. Apparently Miss Lennox said it was of the utmost urgency to see that her brother got it. I was to send it in the mail if Mr. Lennox didn’t claim it by tomorrow.”
