Page 95 of Lady Edith and the Registry Office
Chapter Thirty-One
The next day, Edithwas seated in the breakfast room with her father when a footman presented her with a letter from Alicia.
She broke the wax seal with a fingernail and silently read the note. “Lord Harbury is missing!”
“Tell me what has happened,” her father replied calmly.
“Miss Tilford writes that her brother didn’t come home last evening. He sent no word as to his whereabouts, which is quite unlike him.” She paused. “I can’t imagine the baron would do anything intentionally to cause his sister to worry.”
Louisa rushed into the breakfast room. “My maid tells me there is something of grave importance in a letter you received, Edith.”
“Alicia writes to say that her brother is missing.”
“Perhaps the baron is with Lord Wycliffe,” Louisa suggested. “If you send a missive to Wycliffe, Lord Essex, I’m sure the matter will be easily resolved.”
“Would you, Father?” She was seated next to her father at the round mahogany table. “I believe Lord Wycliffe resides on Curzon Street.”
He looked down at his plate of food before sighing and getting to his feet. “I will repair to my study and dash off a quick note to the viscount.”
When her father had exited the room, Edith let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“I’m sure he is well, Edith.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Louisa smothered a yawn. “My maid woke me to give me the news. I might as well have breakfast.”
Her friend had eaten a roll and some eggs when Edith’s father returned to the breakfast room.
“The missive is sent.” He waved a hand to signal that the footman should take his cold plate of food. Her father moved to the sideboard and picked up a clean plate.
After finishing breakfast, Edith’s father retired to his study while Edith and Louisa waited for word of Lord Harbury in the drawing room. Soon after, a commotion in the corridor caught their attention.
“Let me through, man!” Lord Wycliffe entered the drawing room, a footman trailing behind him.
“It’s all right,” Edith told the servant. “Leave us and close the door behind you.”
“I just received your father’s note,” Lord Wycliffe said after the footman departed. “Nathaniel was not with me last evening. I’ve sent Bones to ask after him at the gentlemen’s clubs in St. James’s. There is one other place I will check; the reference we had for Mrs. Stafford is St. Mary’s in Mortlake.”
“Is that where you are going next?” she asked the viscount.
“After I speak with Mr. Bones.”
“Good.” She rose to her feet. “Lady Louisa and I will keep you company.”
“Lady Edith- “
Louisa also stood up. “We either go with you, Lord Wycliffe, or we will make our own way to the church.”
Faced with two determined women, the viscount made a rude noise. “Come along, then.”
Lord Wycliffe strode from the room, down the corridor, and into the entry hall, where a footman handed him a hat and walking stick, Edith and Louisa in his wake.
