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.
“Where is the epergne?”
“William took it back to Pendragon. It was very well wrapped because he was riding and wanted it protected.”
Now that he recalled, Thomas had seen a bundle set just inside the front doors of Pendragon.
Well, damnation.
Thomas returned to Pendragon. Teddy MacGraff said Jenny hadn’t been found as yet. The search for her continued, William leading it.
Thomas went to see his wife, who appeared to be deep in thought. He watched her from the doorway for a moment, so grateful that she would be all right, so absolutely grateful to every power that be that she hadn’t been killed, that he nearly shouted with it.
He said, swallowing, “Meggie.”
She looked up, her brow clearing. “Did you find out anything?”
He shook his head.
She chewed her bottom lip a moment, then whispered, “Could you perhaps come here and hold me for a little while?”
He held her until she lightly shoved against his chest. He eased her back down against her pillow.
He told her what Lord Kipper had said.
“So William couldn’t have anything to do with her disappearance.”
“It appears not.”
“Who, Thomas? Who could have taken her?”
He shook his head. He knew it was driving her mad. It was driving him mad as well.