“I don’t know, sir, I swear it on my late father’s grave.”
“That old blighter? From everything I’ve heard about him, he was a rank one, the old lord. Kicked you and your mother right out, he did, his lordship and his mother before you. Aye, obviously the old earl was a grand one, he was, and you’re his spawn, now aren’t you? If I were you I would certainly swear at his bloody grave, but never on it.” Teddy wanted to spit, but knew he couldn’t, not in the drawing room of Pendragon. He was scared, more scared than he’d been when his wife had struggled so hard to birth Jenny. She hadn’t made it the second time, curse him for his lust. Jenny, his pride and joy, now missing. Where? Someone took her, he knew it.
William took a very small step farther away. “Perhaps, sir, she didn’t want to marry me, sir. Perhaps she’s run away to Dublin.”
“I don’t think so, William,” Thomas said from the doorway. “When did you realize she was gone, Mr. MacGraff?”
“She always makes me lunch at exactly twelve. I walk into our cottage on exactly the last stroke of the village clock and there my lovely Jenny is, smiling and leading me to the table. She wasn’t there. There was no food.”
“You’ve spoken to all the neighbors?”
“Of course, my lord. There was no reason for her to leave. She was whistling—whistling—last night, all dreamy-eyed because she was going to marry him, that little bastard.” Teddy MacGraff took an angry step toward William.
“I didn’t harm her, Mr. MacGraff. I swear it to you.”
“Where were you last night, William?” Thomas asked mildly.
William looked down at his feet. “I was with Lord Kipper, sir. I fear I was a bit drunk.”
“Will Lord Kipper tell me this is the truth?”
“It is the truth, Thomas. I wouldn’t hurt Jenny. Really, I wouldn’t. I like her.”
“All of her clothes were still there, Teddy?”
“Mrs. Ezra said they were, my lord. I had her check Jenny’s room and all her gewgaws that belonged to her dear mother. Everything were still there, and in place.”
“We will organize a search immediately,” Thomas said. “William, you will lead the search.”
“What will you do, my lord?”
“I am going to speak to Lord Kipper.”
An hour later Thomas was standing in Lord Kipper’s drawing room, an elegant eighteenth-century array of gilt and white furnishings that dazzled the eye. Lord Kipper looked right at home amidst the fabulous beauty.
“What William said is true, Thomas. He was with me. I was trying to, er, reconcile him to his fate, not a bad one, I assured him. Perhaps a wife would steady him, that’s what I told him.”
“Did he get drunk?”
“Just a little. I don’t like to see young men drink too much, Thomas, you know that.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Well, it’s a fact. William didn’t leave until well after midnight. He returned this morning at about ten o’clock. I had a gift for him, a wedding present.”
“What would that be?”
“A lovely epergne that belonged to my mother, to set in the middle of his table. Ah yes, I realize it will be, in fact, in the middle of your table, but it is nonetheless a lovely gift that his bride will cherish.”
“That is very kind of you, Niles.”
Lord Kipper just nodded. “Where do you think the girl is, Thomas?”
“I don’t know.”
“Ah, in case you’re wondering, my man, Trupper, saw William arrive. He showed him in here. My servants don’t lie, Thomas. As you know, Trupper was at Waterloo. The man wouldn’t accept a lie from anyone.”
Thomas knew it was true. He nodded.