Page 83 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

The coach hadn’tcome to a complete stop when Jeremy flung open the door and jumped to the ground. He raced to the front door and barreled through it.

“Catherine!” he shouted. “Catherine!”

Racing up the stairs, he headed for Rachel’s room. When Leah Crawford moved in, she’d taken up residence with Rachel instead of moving to her own bedchamber.

Catherine had to be there. She had to.

Jeremy threw open the door, only to find Rachel sitting in the window seat, a book in her hand. He turned in circles, desperation filling him.

She looked at him. “Why are you here? You’re supposed to be at Eversleigh.”

“Leah. Where is she?”

“I haven’t seen her this morning. I had a headache last night so she decided to sleep across the hall.”

He ran from the room and found the bedchamber empty. He went back to Rachel’s room, fearful Catherine had already come for her sister.

“Get up. Look around. See if Leah’s clothes are gone.”

Rachel looked at him as if he’d gone mad but did as he asked. She opened a trunk and combed through it and then went to the wardrobe.

“Her blue gown is missing. And a yellow one trimmed in green.”

“Jeremy?” Cor stood in the doorway.

“Cor. Have you seen Leah? Or Catherine?”

“No.”

“Damnation!”

He left the room and hurried downstairs. Matthew emerged from the study, concern on his face.

“What’s wrong, Your Grace?”

“Have you seen Lady Leah this morning?”

“I did when I arrived. She was going outside as I came in. When I didn’t see a maid accompanying her, I asked where she was going. She told me Rachel was unwell and she was going to pick a few flowers for her in order to cheer her up.”

“Well, she didn’t bring me any,” Rachel grumbled, having come downstairs. “What’s going on, Jeremy?”

Before he could answer, the doorbell rang. He ran to it blindly, hoping against hope that Leah or Catherine would be standing there when he opened it.

“Your Grace, I need to speak with you at once.”

“Strong?”

The former valet pushed his way in. “You must listen to me. Time is of the essence.”

If anyone might know where Catherine was, it would be this loyal servant.

“I ask for ten minutes of your time.” He glanced around. “In private, Your Grace.”

“Do you know where Catherine is?” Jeremy demanded.

“I do.”

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