Carter nodded and began to pace in the room. What he wanted to do was run up to the bedchamber floor and open every door until he found his wife. But good manners prevailed, and he waited.
Within minutes Berkshire entered the room, tying the belt of his banyan. “What the devil is going on?”
“Where’s my wife?”
Berkshire stared at him. “Your wife? How the devil should I know where she is? Can’t you keep track of her?”
Carter frowned. “Are you sure she’s not here?”
Berkshire ran his fingers through his hair. “I must admit I do not do an inventory of residents before I retire each night, but as far as I know she is not here.”
“Can you call Addie down so I can speak with her?”
Berkshire’s brows rose. “You think my wife is hiding your wife?” He shook his head and walked toward the door. “Too bad it’s too early for a brandy.”
About ten minutes later, Berkshire returned with Addie in tow. The woman must have come right from her bed since her hair was still down and she was wrapped in a dressing gown, a slight bulge in her middle. “What’s this about Lottie being missing?”
Carter groaned at the sincerity in Addie’s words. “She’s not here?”
“No. What happened?”
“My arse of a brother came to my house last night and caused a ruckus about marrying Lottie. Unfortunately, he told her precisely why he was unhappy about the match. She was upset, but I thought she had calmed down. But this morning she was missing. I was sure she was here.”
“Would she be at the train station again?” Addie said, covering her mouth with the back of her hand when she yawned.
“Honestly, I was so certain she was here I never thought of where else she could be. But that is a very good idea.” Carter strode from the room. “If she does come here, don’t let her leave and send someone to fetch me.”
It seemed to take the carriage forever to go the short distance from the Berkshire residence to the Bath Rail Station. Carter hopped out before it c
ame to a complete stop. He charged past the ticket booth, with the long queue waiting to buy tickets, after assessing each person.
The platform was bustling again, porters everywhere loading and unloading luggage. Families were hugging and kissing and waving goodbye.
“If you’re looking for me so you can hit me again, here I am.” Carter turned to see Charles standing in front of him. He had a split lip and a nasty black eye. Carter hadn’t bothered to even look in a mirror to assess the damage his brother had done to him. He assumed he looked the same.
“Get out of my way.” Carter pushed Charles aside and continued his search.
“Wait.” Charles grabbed his arm. “I want to apologize for what I said to your wife yesterday.”
“Oh, do you now? How very nice. Unfortunately, my wife has disappeared.” Carter tapped his finger against his lips, tramping down the anger that was slowly building. The last thing he needed to do was get into another fight with his brother and end up in jail. “I wonder if what you said to her had anything to do with it?”
“Do you think she’s here?” Charles looked around the throng.
“No. I don’t think she’s here. That’s why I’m frantically looking around this blasted train station for her.” He gave his brother another shove. “Now, get out of my way.”
“I want to help.”
Carter looked, really looked at his brother. The man was a mess. Not only did he show the results of their altercation, but guilt was written all over his face, as well as signs of a night of dissipation. But with Lottie missing, he had no time for sympathy for Charles. “No. I don’t need your help.” With those words, he walked off and continued his search.
After about an hour, Carter resigned himself to the fact that either Lottie had left on an earlier train, or she wasn’t here at all. He saw no more of his brother and left the station.
On the ride home he considered everything again, and then realized he’d overlooked one thing. He tapped on the carriage ceiling.
“Yes, sir.”
“Instead of home, take me back to Berkshire’s townhouse.”
His driver turned the carriage and headed in that direction. When they arrived, Carter jumped from the vehicle and once more pounded on the front door.