The Duchess and the Highwayman (Hearts in Hiding 1)

He thought he’d break down any moment now. The devastation at the thought that Phoebe might have left to seek new diversions, just as she’d left Blinley Manor the night she entered his life, was too much to bear.

She’d spoken of boredom when he was away. Could she have gone out seeking fresh entertainment? No, she’d have come back to him. She’d not planned to desert him. Surely he could be confident of that, at least? But what if she’d gone out pleasure-seeking, intending to come back, yet something had happened to her?

He thrust his knuckles into his eye sockets and breathed heavily. Where had she gone? God, he loved her, but could he forgive her if she wanted to return?

No, he mustn’t think like that. Something inexplicable had happened. He must not be so quick to think ill of her. And yet, she’d left the house unaccompanied and on some clandestine mission.

And she’d not returned.

Breathing heavily, he began his weary progress to the door. How would he ever find her if she chose not to see him again? Should he even try?

“Sir! A note’s jest come from yer sister.” Mary was back upon the threshold brandishing a piece of parchment.

Hugh groaned when he read it. The last thing he needed right now was to meet Ada, who apparently would be waiting in the park opposite just as soon as he indicated he was back home. Why she didn’t just come to the house, he didn’t know.

But he was ever the loyal brother. Just as he’d considered himself a loyal lover.

Ada hailed him, raising her gloved hand from the far end of the park as she advanced with her lady’s maid at her side.

Her dimples popped out when she saw him, and she tilted her face to receive his kiss. “I’ve missed you, brother,” she said. “I have such exciting news to tell you, too, and you were gone a whole day longer than you said.”

“Well, what is it, Ada?” he asked. “I hope it is important as I’ve only just returned from a long and tiring journey.”

“My, but you are grumpy today. Perhaps I shan’t tell you, after all.”

Hugh rolled his eyes. “Don’t play games, Ada. I’m not in the mood.”

His sister let out her breath in a sigh. “You’ve taken away all my excitement when I’ve been waiting two days to tell you my news,” she pouted. “And for so long you’ve been telling me I must open my heart up to the opportunity of meeting a nice gentleman.”

“My goodness, that is news,” he remarked drily.

“Yes, indeed, I have met a very nice gentleman, though perhaps you don’t consider that as noteworthy as the fact that Lady Cavanaugh has been apprehended, and Mr Wentworth will be testifying as a witness to her murderous actions in doing away with her husband. I’m sure that’s hardly news to you.”

Hugh sighed. “It’s all I’ve been reading about for the past two days.” He stopped suddenly. “Why, Ada, you said his name without….”

“Yes, without weeping and wailing. That’s because I have a plan, Hugh.”

“You can’t possibly do anything at such a public juncture that might bring attention to yourself, Ada—”

She cut him off. “Or shame on the family. Of course I know that. No, I have a plan as regards my new young gentleman that’ll help me recover and get on with my life. I don’t intend ever mentioning Mr Wentworth’s name again. There! That’s the last time I’ll say it out loud. I’ve practised putting it in a coffin, like my baby, and throwing away the key. They’re dead to me, Hugh. Aunt Alexa has been counseling me well. I thought she was worse than Aunt Belcher, but in truth, she’s been good for me. I can be strong, and I can have a life. I intend Mr Xavier to consider me a good prospect, Hugh. Because I am. I will not be branded beneath contempt when Mr…you know who I mean, should suffer equally for the crimes we both committed. I just hope Phoebe didn’t do anything foolish after I asked her to seek out Mrs Wentworth. She assured me she’d be careful though she didn’t want to go, and for that I feel a trifle guilty.”

“What?”

“A few days ago, I begged Phoebe to go to a certain not quite respectable salon I’d discovered Mrs Wentworth was known to frequent. You wouldn’t do it for me, Hugh, but Phoebe is so much more accommodating than you are at times, so I asked her. She can go anywhere, being the kind of woman she is.”

“Don’t speak like that, Ada,” Hugh warned. “That was unnecessary and beneath you. I happen to love her.” He ran his hand distractedly through his hair. “But she’s gone.” He looked away, embarrassed.

“What do you mean, she’s gone? Not gone gone, surely? She’ll come back. She loves you.”

“Mary told me that three days ago she put on her black cloak over her finest dress, topped it with a veiled bonnet, and disappeared into the night. She has not returned.”

“Three days ago?” Ada put her hand to her mouth and stopped in her

tracks. “Oh Hugh, three days ago was when I asked Phoebe to go to Mrs Plumb’s Salon.”

Hugh grew cold. “That was just about the time Lady Cavanaugh was apprehended. Surely Phoebe would not testify on behalf of her mistress, would she? Not if she were so convinced of the threat Wentworth posed.” He knew he was talking aloud about matters Ada would not know about, but he had to tease out every possibility. “Phoebe is loyal but not that loyal that she’d risk her neck—and not without consulting me?”

Ada looked surprised. “You really trust her so much that you’d attribute her disappearance to something noble, rather than the fact she might have grown bored and sought diversion elsewhere?” She gripped his arm and put up her hand to prevent him from interrupting. “You forget that I know just how deeply one can be sucked into the maelstrom of intense feelings for someone. Why, I thought Mr Wentworth as worthy of my regard as you seem to of Phoebe. I don’t wish to be unkind, Hugh, but Phoebe is a lightskirt. She was never prepared to work or soil her hands like a common servant, though she was no better. No, she wanted a new wardrobe so she could flaunt her handsome looks, and you gave her one. No doubt she’s moved on to find bigger fish to fry. Someone with a title and a fine fortune.”