anything like Miss Charlotte’s hand. She should have noticed that.
“It is Aunt Bella’s notepaper. I’ve seen that before. But I don’t know her handwriting.” Lizzy’s eyes grew large and excited. “Perhaps she was forced to write it. Perhaps they’ve both been kidnapped by brigands!”
“I can still go to Lady Isabella’s and inquire,” Ethan put in carefully. “Her staff might have more news.”
Lizzy nodded. “You should. Because whatever Charlotte might like, Aunt Bella would never leave London in the middle of the Season. She would have to be kidnapped to do so.”
With this tacit permission, Ethan departed. Lucy spent an uncomfortable half hour forcing down the cup of tea that Miss Lizzy pressed on her. Tess didn’t even manage that; she sat in a chair twisting her hands together and looking terrified. When Lucy suggested consulting Mrs. Wright, Miss Lizzy refused. She didn’t seem eager to see the housekeeper.
At long last, Ethan slipped back into the study. “The place is empty,” he told them, looking puzzled.
“Aunt Bella is gone, you mean,” Lizzy replied.
“Everyone’s gone. Everything’s gone.”
“What do you mean?” Lucy was confused.
“When nobody answered the bell, I slipped around to the back of the house.” He avoided their eyes, and Lucy suspected he’d gone over a wall. Which didn’t bother her one bit. “I looked in a few windows. There’s no furniture in the place.”
“No…” Lizzy frowned. “That’s… you must be mistaken.”
Ethan shook his head. “No, miss. Begging your pardon, but I checked all the rooms on the ground floor. They’re empty.”
There was a short charged silence. “You’re saying that Aunt Bella has moved out of her house? But she… she wouldn’t. Not in June anyway. She… I’ve heard Frances say that she lives for the London season. It is everything to her.” Lizzy looked at the message again. “This is exceedingly odd.”
“If Lady Isabella went to the country, it’d be Derbyshire,” said Ethan carefully. “That’s where her estate is.”
Tension had been building in Lucy. “I have to go after Miss Charlotte,” she declared. She had no idea how she could manage that, but she didn’t see what else to do.
Lizzy’s dark blue eyes sparkled again. “Like a rescue? Perhaps they really have been kidnapped, and all Aunt Bella’s things stolen, too. Do you think the criminals will demand ransom? I’ll come with you!”
“No, I’ll go,” Ethan said. “I know Derbyshire like the back of my hand.”
“I want to come!” Lizzy’s face got the mulish look that meant trouble.
“Well, you can’t, Miss Lizzy, and that’s that.” Ethan’s tone brooked no argument, thought Lucy admiringly.
Lizzy scowled. Lucy waited for the explosion. Then, amazingly, she sighed. “I suppose Frances would kick up a tremendous fuss. And Anne.” She pressed her lips together. “But I so want to help.”
“Maybe you could say that you sent me down to the country. So I don’t just disappear, like.” Ethan’s face showed that he knew the flaws of this idea.
“I’m not allowed…” Lizzy paused, then smiled evilly. “Of course I will. Frances is always saying I do outrageous things. What’s one more? You must swear, though, to tell me everything when you return.” Lucy started to protest, but fortunately, Miss Lizzy didn’t wait for a promise. “You will need money. I… I believe post chaises are awfully expensive, though.”
“I’ll take the stage, miss. And I have a bit of savings…”
“So do I,” put in Lucy.
“No, no. I’ll get it. I know where Anne… that is, it’s not a problem.” Lizzy turned and ran from the room.
Lucy looked at Ethan. She was grateful, and frightened, and despite their recent disagreement, she loved him with all her heart. “I’m going with you,” she said.
Tess gasped. “It’s days to Derbyshire. That wouldn’t be proper!”
“I won’t sit in the house wringing my hands and waiting!” She glared at Ethan as if he’d been the one protesting. “It’s no use saying I should.”
Ethan simply held her gaze. The love and tenderness and respect Lucy saw there made tears come to her eyes once again.
Twenty-one
When Charlotte woke she was moving, and it made her feel sick. She had a dreadful headache; her mouth was dry and foul. But worst was the confusion. She was looking at a square green blur. She blinked, squinted. It was a carriage window, with countryside reeling past. Her stomach protested, and she clenched her jaw. What was going on? She couldn’t think straight.
“She’s come ’round,” someone said.
Charlotte turned her head; even that small movement made her dizzy. She was curled sideways in a carriage seat, and Lady Isabella’s