Page 76 of The Masked Baron
“We can weather a few problems with the ladies after what we’ve been through.”
Ellis hoped Kerrigan would be as understanding when he learned how serious he was about marrying his Annie. After Kerrigan left to join the others, Ellis sank into his chair, relieved. The worst was over. Now he could continue with his plans to fix everything with Annie. He slipped down to the kitchen to make a few surprise arrangements with Mrs. Lewis and Matilda before anyone could miss him.
“The room’s been prepared. It’s all in order,” Matilda explained. “Ye’re not to worry about a thing.”
“Excellent,” Ellis said, blowing out his breath.
“I thought you came in here chasing after Miss Durante.”
“Miss Durante? Was she here?”
“Just missed her.”
“I wonder why she left the party.” Ellis had removed Lord Kerrigan from the room, so why else would she need to sneak away?
“If you ask me, she’s feeling a little out of sorts.”
Ellis sighed. “I don’t doubt it. There is a great deal to adjust to.”
“It’s not my place to advise...”
“Come now, Matilda. If you have something to say, say it.”
“Miss Durante needs reassuring now. Time is not going to heal what’s hurting her tonight.”
Ellis did not need to be told twice. He’d not had more than a moment alone with her, and he knew she must be vulnerable after his hurried apology. He left the kitchen and went toward the drawing room.
“Your lordship,” Mr. Lewis said from the direction of his study.
“Yes?”
“I saw Miss Durante slip outside a few moments ago. I almost followed her but then decided to check with ye first. I hope I did right.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lewis. I shall go myself.”
Not bothering to don an overcoat, he hurried out. It was late afternoon, and the sky was overcast and looking to rain. He went to the stables first, hoping Annie had chosen a reprieve with a roof. He pulled the stable door open, and he noticed the strange absence of barking dogs. Once inside, he saw Birks sprawled on the ground, with red oozing from the back of his head.
Ellis dropped to his knees and turned Birks over. “Come on! Wake up!” He checked for a pulse. Still alive! The man needed a heavy bandage. Ellis saw a scarf, no doubt knitted by Hannah, hanging by the door. He grabbed it and did his best to slow the bleeding with the knotted fabric, all while his mind raced.
One thing he knew for certain: this was not done by a witch.
“My lord,” Birks whispered. His eyes started to pull open, but he was still dazed.
Ellis grabbed some water and hurried back to help Birks take a drink. “Stay with me, man.” After two short sips, Birks turned his head away, exhausted.
“The owner came back for... the dogs,” Birks whispered. “Men... they attacked me from behind.”
“I am going to fetch Mr. Lewis,” Ellis said. “But first, I have to know. Did you see Miss Durante?”
Birks’s heavy eyelids remained open long enough for him to say, “Never saw her.”
“I’ll be back. You rest.” Ellis raced back to the house and alerted Mr. Lewis, who was waiting by the entrance of the manor. The two of them sprinted back to the stables. Mr. Lewis took over caring for Birks while Ellis saddled his horse. As an afterthought, Ellis pulled on Birks’s old cloak in case Annie had need of it.
His heart pounded inside him with the force of a hundred galloping horses. He couldn’t ride fast, because he did not know which way to go. The Black Forest was the most likely destination. The kidnappers would need a quick place to lose themselves. His mind conjured up the faces of all the men who despised him. Who could have done this? Could Mr. Crow have escaped? Did he have friends loyal to him, anxious for revenge? Ellis was reliving the nightmare from ten years ago. Only, this time he could not fail.
Chapter 28
At the forest edge hefound a trail. He dropped from his horse to examine the ground and scratched at the scruff on his jaw, completely baffled. Were these from yesterday? He did not know which direction Kerrigan and Mr. Lewis had taken for their so-called shortcut. But it was the only lead he had, so he mounted again and pushed forward into the trees.
