She would leave at once for Maidstone. From her recollection, the town was southeast of London in Kent, on a main route to the coast—perhaps fifty miles from here, at least a half day’s drive. She would call at Claude Dubonet’s cottage first, to see if he could tell her where Gerard and Lynette had hidden themselves. If not, she would wait for Gerard at the Blue Boar Inn and confront him when he arrived tomorrow afternoon to collect his bank draft. Perhaps she could even return home by late tomorrow night.
She had to think up a story to explain her absence from Riverwood, of course. Rayne had gone to London again for several days, so she had a little time before he missed her.
She would have to watch herself with Rayne’s servants, though, given their staunch loyalty to him. Which meant she couldn’t use his coachman or footmen or grooms. Therefore, she would have to borrow or hire a carriage.
But how? Arabella was in London just now…. She could say she was going to visit with Arabella, but instead she would make directly for a posting inn as soon as she arrived in London, so she could hire a traveling chaise to take her to Maidstone. Arabella would likely go along with her plan if she revealed that she had an urgent family matter to attend to.
And Bramsley would likely not question her intentions, either, since she’d spent quite some time in London with Arabella this past week. He was unlikely to deny her the remainder of her pocket allowance when she asked him for it—
A knock on her bedchamber door startled Madeline out of her fretful ruminations. When she answered it, she discovered Bramsley standing there as if she had conjured him.
“Miss Blanchard has called for you, my lady,” the majordomo informed her.
Madeline stared blankly at Bramsley for a moment—until she recalled having invited Tess over for luncheon only a short while ago when they’d crossed paths at the academy. She’d thought it a good opportunity to become better acquainted. Regrettably, though, she had no time for friendly cozies just now, Madeline decided, or the emotional fortitude, either. On the other hand … she froze as a thought struck her. Tess might be the perfect person to help her.
“Would you escort Miss Blanchard here to my bedchamber, Bramsley?”
It was an odd request, but the majordomo did not seem overly disconcerted. “Certainly, my lady, as you wish.”
When he was gone, Madeline headed directly for her dressing room to fetch her bandbox. If she intended to travel to Maidstone, she needed to pack for a stay of at least one night, perhaps more.
When Tess arrived, Madeline was nearly finished filling the bandbox.
“I am so very sorry, Tess,” she apologized at once, “but I must cancel our luncheon. I have just learned of a minor family matter that I must straighten out.”
Tess was instantly concerned. “I hope it is not too serious?”
I hope so, too, Madeline muttered to herself. Aloud, she managed to sound reassuring. “I don’t believe so, but it requires me to be away for a day or two. I dislike imposing on you, but I don’t feel I can leave Arabella shorthanded with no notice. Would you mind very much taking my class at the academy tomorrow and perhaps Thursday as well?”
“Certainly, I will be happy to do so. You handled mine when I was away.”
“Thank you,” Madeline said in gratitude.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?” Tess asked. “You seem upset.” When Madeline didn’t immediately reply, Tess pressed in a low voice. “I have seen that look on the faces of countless women in difficulty, Madeline. If you are in trouble of some kind, I would like to help.”
She remained silent as she met Tess’s perceptive gaze. The beauty’s expression was full of sympathy. Perhaps Tess was so compassionate because of her past experiences in dealing with victims of misery and misfortune.
At Madeline’s hesitation, Tess hastened to add, “You can count on me for complete discretion, if that concerns you.”
Discretion wasn’t the sole issue. Tess was nearly a stranger, yet she could be trusted, Madeline felt sure of it. The question was, why would Tess trust her?
“Are you certain you wish to involve yourself with my problems, Tess? You scarcely know me.”
Tess smiled faintly. “Arabella has vouched for you, and that is good enough for me. Moreover, I have seen how cruel the world can be to women with little family or resources. We ladies must stick together, I believe.”
Giving a pained laugh, Madeline inhaled a steadying breath. She disliked dragging anyone into her potentially scandalous affairs, but she would be supremely grateful for an ally. Deciding to accept Tess’s offer of help, she nodded.
“Very well … I need to go to London at once so I can hire a post chaise, but I would rather my husband not know of this particular endeavor. Would you mind if I borrowed your carriage and coachmen to take me into town?”
“I will do even better. I will drive you to London myself.”
Madeline searched the other woman’s kind eyes. “Doubtless you are wondering why I wish to keep secrets from Haviland—”
Tess held up a forestalling hand. “I don’t require an explanation unless you wish to tell me. You need a friend just now, and I am available.”
Madeline wanted to hug Tess for her trust and unquestioning support. But she settled for murmuring another heartfelt thank-you.
“Do you wish to leave now?” Tess asked, eyeing the bandbox on Madeline’s bed.