Page 51 of If Not for the Duke

The thought was reassuring. Bernie didn’t have the same suspicious outlook her brother did.

Soon, the carriage rolled to a halt. James assisted her and Nancy to alight then hurried up the front steps and knocked on the door before they’d joined him.

Nerves struck Lena as she glanced up at the darkened windows of the upper floors. How ridiculous of her to come. A houseful of servants was inside. Foster would not approve of her calling at this hour. Heaven forbid if Sterling was home. She hated to think of what he’d say about her visit.

She turned back to look at the carriage, wondering if she should just go. But even that temptation didn’t make her feet move from the front step.

The door swung open to reveal a surprised Foster. His expression tightened with disapproval, but Lena lifted her chin. She was determined to see this through now that she was here.

“I am terribly sorry, but I have an urgent matter to discuss with Lady Bernice. Is she at home?”

The butler hesitated for a long moment, making Lena think he intended to send them away. At last, he gave a single nod. “Allow me to see if she’s receiving.”

Lena could’ve hugged the man, despite his dour expression. Bernie must be here, and that alone was a relief.

They were shown to the small reception room that adjoined the entrance hall to wait. Nancy and James both watched her pace the small room. When several minutes passed without Foster’s return, Lena moved to the doorway, only to look up to see a maid and a footman hurrying along the upper floor.

A few moments later, Foster rushed down the stairs.

“Is there a problem?” Lena asked, her worry heightening.

The butler frowned. “We are having difficulty locating Lady Bernice, miss.”

Lena’s heart thudded dully as she met his worried eyes. She looked away, willing the knowing feeling to provide a hint of where Bernie might be. Nothing came to her.

A familiar helplessness threatened to weigh her down like a stone in the river. How many times had she longed for clarity but never received it? Why should she expect anything different now?

She shoved away the doubt and focused on Bernie. She closed her eyes and brought Bernie’s image to her thoughts, well aware of the servants watching her closely.

Instead of seeing Bernie, she only saw books.

Shelves of books, to be precise.

Her eyes flew open as anger and frustration took hold. What good was her ability when she couldn’t help others?

Then a possible answer came to her—were books somehow connected to Bernie? The idea felt right. More than right, in fact.

“We should look in the study,” Lena advised Foster. Surely, Sterling had books in his study.

The servant frowned, seeming to think it highly unlikely they’d find Lady Bernice there. Or perhaps he was confused about why she’d suggested it.

Lena didn’t bother to explain as urgency filled her. She hurried past the man and down the corridor, certain Sterling’s study was in a similar place as her grandfather’s.

“But, miss—” Foster began.

“It’s best to see if she’s right,” James advised the man then followed her.

Lena opened the only door along the corridor, her gaze catching on a lit candle sputtering on a small table near the dark fireplace. “Bernie?”

Disappointment stole through her when she realized the room was empty.

Then a soft moan echoed in the quiet space.

“Bernie, is that you?” Lena rushed forward, scanning the room as she tried to place from where the sound had come. She moved to pick up the candleholder and held it aloft, the sight of a form on the floor near the desk catching her eye.

She hurried forward to see Bernie lying face down, one arm flung to the side and her legs twisted in the opposite direction.

Lena knelt beside her, searching to see what might be wrong. “Bernie?” She touched her shoulder and said her name again.

---