Page 68 of A Misguided Devotion

William was waiting for them inside with a bonnet in his hands. “Take off that hideous hat and try this on, Kitty.”

She glared at him. How could Lord Droxford act as if nothing had changed? Though she was in perfect charity with his sisters, she still smarted at his deception.

“Come on. I’m certain it will suit you.”

Kitty felt the tug of his pleas and eyed the elaborate creation. It looked exquisite—and very dear. If it suited her, as William seemed to think it would, his sisters would buy it for her. She couldn’t allow them to spend any more money on her…could she?

“He boasts he can pick out a hat for anyone,” said Charlotte, “so you have to let him see if he’s succeeded.” She leaned over and undid the ribbons at Kitty’s neck and replaced her ancient black bonnet with the one from Mrs Fisher’s shop.

“Take a look. What do you think?” asked Hetta.

Kitty turned her head to the right and then to the left, marvelling at how attractive it looked in the mirror. “It’s lovely.”

“Thought so,” said Charlotte. “We’ll have this, if you please, Mrs Fisher.”

“Very good, my lady.”

Kitty started to untie the ribbons at her neck, but Hetta put a hand over hers to stop her. “I think you should keep it on.”

“I suppose you won’t let me decline yet another gift?”

William’s youngest sister shook her head. “Not a hope.”

“Then pray dispose of that, Mrs Fisher.” Kitty pointed at her battered old black bonnet.

“It would be my pleasure, madam,” the proprietor said, with a twinkle in her eye. “May I say that it suits you much better than the hat your friend suggested?”

Kitty stilled at Mrs Fisher’s words. Wrapped up in the excitement of going shopping and being gifted a new bonnet, she had forgotten all about Laura.

She twisted around to face William. “Where’s Miss Barrington?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. She wasn’t here when I arrived.”

Unbelievable. “And that didn’t give you cause for concern?” Evidently not.

She turned to the proprietor. “Did my friend leave any message for me, Mrs Fisher?”

“No, madam. She bought a bonnet and left a short while after you.”

Kitty wrung her hands together. “We must find her. She’s my responsibility.”

“Of course.” William instructed the footman to take her purchases and the books from the library to their carriage at the Golden Lion and after bidding his sisters a hasty goodbye, they hurried out the door.

He tilted his head to one side. “Where could Miss Barrington have gone?”

“I don’t know, unless…” Her voice trailed off as she recalled seeing Mr Jenkin in the churchyard and how dismissive Laura had been about him. Too dismissive. Had she been planning an assignation with the riding officer all along? A man whom her father disapproved of.

Kitty looped her arm through William’s and hurried toward the church.

“Do you know where she is?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe. I hope I’m wrong.”

But Kitty had the nasty feeling she was right. It would explain why Laura had been so keen to leave home by ten o’clock. Why she had sent her off on an errand. She hadn’t wanted an audience for her appointment with Mr Jenkin.

She must have been desperate to see him to risk a meeting in Weymouth. In the daytime. When someone might spot them.

What a useless chaperon she had turned out to be! She was there to protect Laura’s reputation, but she’d allowed herself to be distracted. She should never have left her in the shop. Kitty increased her pace, pulling William along with her. They must locate Laura. Fast. Because if word got back to Hugh, she would be blamed for leaving his daughter alone.