Page 105 of A Misguided Devotion

She dwelled on that bitter-sweet moment of parting. Not at the door, but in the garden, when his kiss had touched her forehead. Even now her skin tingled when she thought of it. How she wished she had found the courage to go with him.

William paced up and down the drawing room. Why hadn’t he gone with Anthony and his sisters to Rufus House? It was agony waiting for their return, not knowing if Kitty had agreed to come back with them.

At last, the sound of horses outside. He ran down the stairs and rushed through the door, which Rowson had already opened. Hetta descended the steps of the carriage, and he knew at once from her expression that Kitty was not with them. Why hadn’t he accompanied them? Refused to take no for an answer?

His sister grasped his fingers. “I’m sorry, Will. She’s gone.”

“Gone?” That was unexpected. “I don’t believe it. Kitty said she would stay with Mrs Jenkin until the woman’s husband was well enough to leave.”

“Mr Barrington told us himself,” said Charlotte, climbing out of the carriage after Hetta. “The man seemed quite upset about it, claiming it was his fault for pushing his suit on her so soon after you had departed. Before she had recovered from her disappointment.”

Her disappointment? Was that line designed to make William feel bad for not asking her to marry him? Because if it was, it succeeded. He should have left her with something more solid than the hope of a proposal when he came of age.

But that still didn’t explain why she’d fled. “It makes no sense. Kitty had nowhere to go.” She would not have run unless… Had that man made improper advances toward her? The thought rendered William sick to the stomach.

Anthony was the last to leave the carriage, and as the ladies mounted the steps to the house, he laid a hand on William’s arm to restrain him.

“There is something else that Mr Barrington said. Just to me. That he feared Miss Lacey’s disappointment had overset her mind, and he worried for her safety.”

William flared his nostrils. “Kitty would never take her own life. You should have heard her urging me to trust God, even though she herself had gone through so much. Something does not ring true about this. Did you speak to Mrs Jenkin?”

“We were not given the chance. Our audience was with Mr Barrington alone, and after a brief conversation, we were dismissed. No offer of refreshment, despite your sisters’ rank. Rather different from the obsequious attention he paid to you.”

Too different. Why did the man want to cast doubt on Kitty’s sanity? Could she have discovered something she shouldn’t have? Her disappearance made that all too likely. William’s heart rate soared. Was Kitty in danger? He needed to go after her. At once.

He bolted up the steps to the house. “Rowson, please ensure that the speediest horse in the stables is readied for me without delay.”

“Make that the two fastest,” said Anthony, coming up behind him. “You might need me.”

After grabbing his hat and crop, William darted into the drawing room for a word with his sisters. “We’re going to look for Kitty. Pray that we’ll find her.” He couldn’t face the possibility that he would fail her again.

Their anxious heads nodded at him before he hurried away, and within minutes, he and Anthony were riding for Portland, as fast as their mounts and the other traffic on the road allowed.

The tide was low, so when they reached the ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, they took the path down to the beach and galloped through the shallows toward the island, kicking up foam with every stride.

After climbing the steep incline, they urged their horses forward until Rufus House came into view. William slowed his pace, and Anthony reined in beside him.

“I need to speak to Mrs Jenkin—and her husband too, if he’s awake. I’m hoping they can give me some idea of what’s happened to Kitty. At least they’ll be able to tell me when they last saw her.”

He squinted at the building before him. Was it wise to announce his arrival by marching up to the front door? Perhaps he should try to gain entry around the rear.

They both dismounted, and William passed his reins to Anthony.

“Is that a subtle way of saying you don’t want my company?”

“Mr Barrington won’t welcome me into his house, so I’ll have to slip in through the servants’ entrance. One can sneak more easily than two. If you do not hear from me within the hour, go for help. If I get on the wrong side of the man, I might need it.”

Anthony raised his eyebrows. “There is a place for sneaking, but this is not it. It is only polite that you should pay a morning call on Mrs Jenkin, to enquire after her husband’s health. Think of your grandmother and be the haughtiest viscount you can be. Act as if nothing is wrong. Your title will take you further than you suppose.”

His friend sounded so confident that William was inclined to believe him. “Perhaps you’re right. If I use the servants’ entrance, there are too many chances that Mr Barrington or Blake would spot me. Provided the footman can be persuaded to let me in, I have a far better chance of gaining an audience with Mr Jenkin and his wife if I enter at the front.”

Leaving Anthony with the horses, William strolled up to the door and rapped the knocker three times. A servant appeared in the doorway almost at once and stared at him as if he’d seen a ghost.

“The Viscount Droxford, to see Mrs Jenkin,” he said in the most imperious voice he could muster.

“Mr Barr—”

“Did I ask for Mr Barrington?”