Page 20 of Choosing Her Earl at Last
Colin had left Rebecca sitting next to Theodocia, while Emmeline had taken the seat in front of them. Emmeline turned around at hearing Colin’s question.
“What do you mean?” she asked, her eyes falling on Rebecca’s now-empty seat. “Mother, where is Rebecca?” Her eyes filled with concern as she searched the crowded space around them.
“I do not know,” Theodocia admitted. “I closed my eyes for but a brief moment of rest. She did not speak to me of leaving. She would not dare to go about unchaperoned.”
Michael frowned and met Emmeline’s worried eyes. “You heard nothing?”
Emmeline shook her head. “She said nothing to me.”
“She must be here.” Colin attempted to comfort the now distraught Theodocia as she stood to her feet, her eyes darting like an angry, frightened animal all around them. “We will find her,” he promised.
The group broke up into two parties: Colin and Theodocia, Michael and Emmeline. They circled the pavilion, each taking a side, and met around the back to report that neither had seen any evidence of her.
They then expanded their search to include the refreshment tables and other commonly visited areas where other young ladies had gathered. Not finding her among them, their search became more frantic. They searched every building, maze and walking path, to no avail. Rebecca was nowhere in sight.
“We should contact the local magistrate,” Michael advised, a bad feeling settling in his bones.
“Bow Street,” Emmeline demanded firmly. “We must contact the Bow Street Magistrate and his Runners. They are the best with such matters. Father always insisted that, were he to need such aid, he would turn to Bow Street.”
Michael nodded in agreement. “I will have them sent for immediately.”
“I will go,” Colin volunteered, his eyes filled with concern.
“Thank you.” Emmeline nodded her assent. “Please do so with all haste.”
“The scandal,” Theodocia breathed, her face pale and drawn in the lantern’s light.
“I fear we are past such concerns, Mother.” Emmeline laid a reassuring hand on her mother’s arm. “Make haste,” she commanded of the men accompanying them, as Colin took off at a dead run.
While they awaited the arrival of the Bow Street Magistrate and his Runners, Emmeline, Theodocia, and Michael continued their search. Theodocia sent their coachman back to their townhouse to see if Rebecca had somehow returned there and to alert Mr. Hardy of the situation. Should Rebecca appear or send word, Mr. Hardy was to alert them immediately.
The Bow Street Runners arrived with swift efficiency. Emmeline and Theodocia answered their questions as best they could, then the Runners split up and began searching the grounds and interviewing people in the area, and informing them that Rebecca had disappeared.
“We will need someone who knows the lass to accompany us on our search,” one of the Runners requested.
“I will.” Emmeline stepped forward, offering her services. “She is my sister.”
The Runner nodded in acknowledgement of her offer.
“I shall accompany you,” Michael volunteered, knowing that Emmeline would need a proper chaperone as well as emotional support. “Colin, please remain with Miss Rebecca’s mother and provide her with whatever comfort you can,” Michael requested, not wanting Colin to see whatever the Runners might find.
Once a person had seen the death of someone they loved, there was no ridding oneself of the image. While Michael did not know what had befallen Rebecca, he could not eliminate the possibility.
Colin nodded, agreeing to remain with Theodocia to provide her comfort and protection from prying eyes. The Runners searchedevery place that Emmeline and the others had already searched, then expanded their perimeter.
In the darkest corner of the street adjacent to the gardens, one of the Runner’s lantern light fell upon a small metal object ground in the dirt beneath the edge of a secluded arbor. The Runner bent down and lifted the metal object from the dirt, also retrieving a small white square of fabric.
“Do you recognize this?” The Runner lifted the items for Emmeline to view them in the light.
Emmeline leaned forward, taking the items from him. Emmeline’s face drained of all color. “It is my sister’s silver locket. I gave this to Rebecca,” she answered, her thumb brushing the dirt from the now broken peace offering.
She turned the torn, dirt-smeared piece of fabric over in her hand, the edge monogrammed in Rebecca’s careful stitches. “It is Rebecca’s handkerchief. She made it with her own hands,” Emmeline breathed, tears slipping down her cheeks.
The Runner nodded and searched the surrounding area with his lantern close to the ground. When he rejoined them, his eyes were most solemn.
“I found signs of a struggle. It would appear that Miss Rebecca Frampton has been taken,” the Runner announced, his voicefirm and determined. “Rest assured, my lady, that we will do all in our power to find her and bring her home to you.”
“Thank you,” Emmeline managed, her voice strangled with emotion.
