The library door opened, and his lordship stood there, his face a mask. “Do I intrude?” he asked on a dry note.
Cherry could have boxed his ears. Inwardly she fumed and marveled at his ill timing. Instead of gritting her teeth, however, she smiled sweetly and said, “Why, how so? You could not intrude in your own home.”
“It isn’t his home,” Freddy stuck in pugnaciously. “It is actually my home. This is Bromley Grange, not Westbrooke Towers!”
Cherry rounded on him like a tigress. “What an unhandsome thing to say. His lordship is not only your guardian, but your brother as well.”
Freddy flushed and immediately retracted his statement. “I am very sorry, Sky … honestly … I don’t know what is wrong with me.”
Sky was frowning and answered quietly, “I know, Freddy. Don’t think of it.”
Cherry got to her feet. “Well, I have dallied with you long enough, Frederick. The twins are probably tearing the schoolroom apart by now.” She started for the door, but Sky reached for and touched her arm as she passed him, and she stopped.
“Miss Cherry.” His voice was a gentle wave. “Don’t go … you needn’t go.”
She smiled at him. “Oh, I think I must.” On a softer note she added, “’Tis time for brothers to be just that.” She gave him a long look and then felt his eyes on her as she left. She rather thought he understood and was about to approach the situation with Freddy from another angle.
~ Fifteen ~
LADY ELTON PACED. She eyed the letter she clasped in her hands and then plopped herself down on her pink satin ladies’ chair to read it again.
Dear Lady Elton:
In reply to your very welcome letter, I regret to advise you that Cherry is not with me.
It grieves me to read that you have been ill with worry.
At least I may rest your fears and assure you that Cherry is safe and, I believe, quite happy.
I cannot divulge her whereabouts, for I gave her my word that I would not. Forgive me.
I will, however, forward your letter to her so that she may see for herself what suffering you are experiencing. Perhaps then she may reconsider and return home.
Fondly,
Polly Corbett (now Mrs. Polly Adams)
Well, what was she to do now? Naught. Polly was her last hope. She had learned something though. At least Cherry had been in touch with dear Polly, who had always been a steadying influence on her. And at least Cherry was quietly installed somewhere. Yes, but where?
Her bedroom door opened, and her maid, Maria, bobbed a curtsy, saying, “His lordship of Dartford is here, m’lady, and he says to tell ye won’t be put off today.”
“James! Good gracious. What shall I tell him?” Lady Elton wailed.
“Mayhap the truth, m’lady. Miss Cherry and his lordship were ever good friends. He jest might be knowing where she could be.”
“Hush, you dreadful child. You and Cherry were good friends, so then, you tell me where she is, for I swear she always confided in you.”
“No, I don’t know, and I’ve told ye and told ye that. If I knew, I would tell ye for her sake, I would.”
“Yes, yes … very well then, perhaps I should take someone into my confidence. Perhaps young Dartford might be able to help.” She moved to her mirror, saying over her shoulder, “Show his lordship to the library and have coffee brought to us there, child.”
“Yes, m’lady.”
Lady Elton patted her short gray curls, screwed up her mouth, shook her head, and bolstered herself. She was about to embarrass herself with the confession about Cherry’s situation, but she did trust young Dartford.
James Dartford was, like Cherry, one and twenty years old. He was tall, lean, athletically built, and quite boyishly attractive. His hair was layered in waves of gold to his neckline, and his eyes were an interesting shade of green. He was considered to be a marriage prize and was much sought after even though he was only just out of Eton. Lady Elton knew (although she had hoped for a match between them) that he and Cherry were friends and that he was still too interested in fox hunting, foxhounds, and field hunters to be looking to settle down.
His and Cherry’s relationship had begun when they were toddlers. Since that time their friendship had blossomed, and they were nearly like brother and sister. Even long separations while each was away at school had not altered their sense of loyalty and affection for one another, and Lady Elton was certain he would not by gossip betray her stepdaughter’s scandalous behavior to anyone.