The Heiress of Winterwood - By Sarah Ladd Page 0,71

an intelligent, responsible woman and a very capable guardian. There was a logical explanation.

She held up her free hand to guard the flame and turned into the vestibule. The sliver of light still shone from under her uncle’s door, so she ran to it. Without stopping to knock, she gripped the oval iron doorknob and flung open the door.

Her uncle, who sat behind the desk, jerked his head up. “Amelia Barrett, are you aware of the hour?”

She had to pause to catch her breath. “Have you seen Lucy or Mrs. Dunne?”

“Aren’t they in the nursery?”

Amelia shook her head and attempted to swallow. Her throat was so dry she feared no words would escape. “No, they are not.”

Uncle George furrowed his brow and placed his quill on the desk. “You must have overlooked them.”

Amelia pulled herself up to her full height and met her uncle’s eyes. He would not make her feel like a child, not now. “I searched the room, and I checked the kitchen as well. They are not there.”

Uncle George’s gaze shifted from her to the fireplace, and then she saw him. Edward. In her concern for Lucy, she’d forgotten he might still be here.

Edward stepped forward. “I’ll go get James.” Edward crossed the room to her, making no attempt to hide his lewd assessment of her. He stood so close that his booted leg brushed the fabric of her skirt. His whisper tickled her ear. “Don’t worry, Amelia dear. I’ll find them for you.”

She looked away, refusing to flinch, and waited for him to leave before speaking. Her uncle picked up his quill and resumed writing. How could he be so nonchalant? She walked over to the desk. “What if something has happened to them? I really think you should—”

A grunt cut her off, and he looked up from the paper. “Do not overreact, Amelia. Where could they have gone? Edward will find them, rest assured.”

“How do you think I could rest with her whereabouts unknown?” She blew out her stub of a candle, dropped it on a nearby table, and boldly snatched a sturdier candlestick from his desk. “I don’t care what you think of me, Uncle George, but how could you care so little about the safety of a child? There is a baby in our care, and right now nobody seems to know where she is. If you don’t think this is serious enough to disturb your letter writing, then so be it.”

“She’s not in my care. She’s in yours, Mistress of Winterwood Manor.”

Amelia quitted the room, unwilling to waste her time with the man. Edward, at least, had done what he’d said he would do. The butler and two footmen, roused from their sleep and in various stages of dress, scurried about lighting candles and fires. The main hall echoed with hushed voices, and Edward stood at the foot of the stairs, calling out directions. He pulled on an oilcloth coat and took his hat from one of the maids.

“Has anyone found them?” Her desire to find Lucy overcame her impulse to shrink away from Edward. If he could help her, then she could stomach his presence.

Edward looked up from the buttons on his coat. “No, you were right. No sign of them indoors.”

Just hearing the words shot a fresh wave of panic through her. People now swirled around her, but alarm froze her to her spot.

Edward’s tone was almost gentle. “I’m going to check outside.” He jammed the wide-brimmed hat over his dark hair. “People do not simply disappear.”

“Thank you for your help.”

Edward leaned in close, his warm breath tickling her ear. “You see, my dear, I am not nearly the monster you believe me to be.”

She didn’t flinch as he moved past her. The door opened, and a blast of wind ruffled her skirt. Then the door slammed closed. Amelia turned. She’d personally search every inch of Winterwood, and if she failed to find them, she’d search the grounds as well. With blind determination she took the steps two at a time, paying no heed to the servants bustling around her.

Someone grabbed her arm. When she whipped around, she saw Helena next to her on the landing, clutching a shawl around her body. “What in heaven’s name is going on?”

Amelia’s words spilled forth in jumbled chaos. “I cannot find Lucy or Mrs. Dunne anywhere. They are missing. Edward is searching the grounds.”

Helena jerked. “Edward is still here?”

Amelia sniffed and nodded.

Helena patted her arm. “You know Edward, Amelia. You may find him