Page 77 of Lord of Fortune
He’d just take a peek… Easing the door open, he stepped inside. Light from behind him splashed into the chamber, and he could see the bed was devoid of her presence. As was the rest of the room. What the hell was going on?
He closed the door and ran back downstairs. His parents were no longer in the hall, but the door to Father’s study was open. Penn crossed to it with long strides and went inside. His father stood near the table, his mother caressing his arm. They both looked at him at the same time, and both immediately registered his annoyance.
“Where is she?”
Mother stopped stroking his father’s arm. “What do you mean?”
“Amelia is not in her chamber. You said she retired early.”
“That’s what her maid reported,” Mother said, her voice edged with concern. She looked up at Father, who shook his head.
“I don’t know where she could be, Penn.”
Penn swore under his breath. Why would she leave? And if she hadn’t left, where was she?
“Should we search the house?” Mother asked.
“Yes, let’s.” Father took charge, leaving the study.
Penn overheard him giving instructions to Thomas. Weariness stole over Penn, along with a stinging sensation of defeat. Where was she?
A moment later, voices in the hall shook him from his stupor.
“She’s here,” Father called just before Amelia stepped into the study. Her cheeks were dark pink, her hair mussed as she removed her men’s hat with its wide brim. She wore the costume he’d met her in. Why?
Gideon came in behind her. He was also garbed strangely. His clothing was old and too large. And he carried Dyrnwyn.
“How the hell did you get that?” Penn demanded.
“I gave it to him,” Amelia said. “We needed it.”
“Why?” Penn’s gaze strayed to Gideon, anxiety tumbling through him. Why were they together?
“I think I’ll let her tell the story.” Gideon set the sword atop the long worktable, then shrugged out of his oversized coat and draped it across the back of a chair. He sat down and looked from Penn to Amelia and back again, his demeanor reflecting none of the tension Penn felt.
Penn turned his gaze to Amelia and registered the apprehension he’d missed a moment ago. He was a self-involved ass. In two steps, he was in front of her, taking her hands in his. “Are you all right?”
She nodded. “Yes. I received a…note this morning with my breakfast. A boy delivered it to the kitchen and asked that it be given to me.”
Penn didn’t like the sound of this, particularly knowing the end result of this note somehow involved Amelia looking upset and Gideon wielding the flaming sword.
Amelia’s gaze softened as she looked at him. “You’d already left; otherwise, I would’ve told you about it. Despite the note warning me not to.”
Anger—directed at himself—rose in his throat. He should’ve been here with her. “Where is this bloody note?”
She let go of his hand and pulled a small piece of parchment from her coat. He took it and quickly read the lines.
When he looked back at her, he couldn’t keep the incredulity from his tone. “You went to meet this blackguard?”
“Not alone,” she said with a defensive edge. “Kersey came with me.”
Penn’s father broke in, looking toward Gideon, “When did you arrive?”
“This morning. I met Mrs. Forrest outside, and she shared the note with me.” He turned his head to Penn. “She would have shared it with you, I assure you.”
Penn reined in his temper—he wasn’t typically an angry sort. He was levelheaded and composed. It took quite a bit to ruffle him. Apparently, this was precisely that. He took a deep breath and looked intently at Amelia. “You’re sure you’re all right?”
“Yes.”
