B006DTZ3FY EBOK (35 page)

“Q
uite right, my sweet.
”
He glanced apologetically at Lady Ballymere.
“I
spoke without thinking. You are right, my lady, that your daughter
’
s conduct has always seemed impe
ccable. I merely point out that
...
”
He broke off, perplexed.
“I
almost said
‘
boys will be boys.
’
Is there an equivalent expression for girls? If not, there should be.
”

“M
y
Cynthia
has never given me a moment
’
s worry,
”
declared Lady Ballymere.
“S
he has the keenest sensibilities
—
a precise attention to propriety unlike any I have known in a girl of her age. The idea that she would deliberately deceive her mother and
—
and
sneak about
is fantastical. She would do no such thing.
”

Lady Grafton spoke soothingly.
“N
o one is suggesting anything of that nature, my lady. I am sure Lady
Cynthia
would do nothing clandestine.
”

“C
ertainly not.
”
She blinked rapidly, as if trying to hold back tears, and put a catch in her voice.
“B
ut I fear for her safety, Lady Grafton. I fear she may have met with foul play. S
uch a beautiful girl, although it is her own mother who says it
...
”
She let her voice trail off, and was gratified to see the ripple of worry that went through the room.

Lord Grafton exchanged glances with his father.
“I
shall aid in the search directly after breakfast,
”
he said grimly.
“M
alcolm is, naturally, otherwise engaged. But I daresay the Ellsworth men and Mr. Whittaker will join me.
”

The duchess clucked faintly.
“B
ut there has never been any crime of that kind in this neighborhood,
”
she said.
“P
ray be calm, Lady Ballymere. I know of no dangerous persons in the vicinity who might have carried Lady
Cynthia
off. We must not let our imaginations run wild. She will doubtless return safe and sound. Why, she may walk in the door at any moment.
”

Lady Ballymere was still trying to frame an answer that would contradict the duchess without appearing rude, when the door opened. Conversation ceased and all eyes lifted
—
but it was only Sir Peter and Lady Ellsworth who walked in.

Lady Ballymere was probably the only person in the room who was not disappointed. This was the audience she most desired to reach with her performance; these were the two persons whose opinion she must move. Her pulse fluttered with excitement. The prize was nearly in her grasp now. The days of cultivating Lady Ellsworth
’
s friendship were about to pay off. She rose and flew to Lady Ellsworth
’
s side. Lady Ellsworth seemed startled, but did not pull away.

“M
y dear friend,
”
uttered Lady Ballymere, actually sobbing with trumped-up emotion. Lady Ellsworth looked embarrassed at this display, but not displeased. She patted Lady Ballymere in a vague sort of way.

Sir Peter coughed.
“N
o point in pretending, I suppose, that we haven
’
t heard the news,
”
he said gruffly.
“S
ervants always trumpet everything that goes on in a household, eh? Very sorry to hear it, though, very sorry to hear it. Thought Lady
Cynthia
might have turned up by now. She still missing?
”

Lady Ballymere nodded silently, as if too overcome by emotion to speak. Lady Ellsworth led her back to the table.
“Y
ou must not worry, Lady Ballymere,
”
she said gently.
“Y
ou accomplish nothing thereby. Did Lady
Cynthia
leave a note? No? Why, then, she must be somewhere on the premises. She would have left a note, did she intend to wander far.
”

Lady Ballymere gazed earnestly into Lady Ellsworth
’
s eyes.
“I
had hoped to inquire of her particular friends
—
to ask them, you know, if she had said anything to them. She may have told your son John things she would not have said to her mother. You know how these young people are. Once they form intimate friendships, they confide in each other rather than a parent.
”

Lady Ellsworth looked surprised.
“W
hy, you may speak with John if you wish, of course. If he can shed any light on Lady
Cynthia
’
s whereabouts, I am certain he will do so. But I can
’
t imagine why she would confide in
him.
”

Lady Ballymere laughed indulgently.
“O
h, come now, Lady Ellsworth. You must have noticed, as I have, the friendship growing between your son and my daughter.
”

Lady Ellsworth looked even more surprised
—
and not pleasantly. Her husband held her chair for her and she sat, looking as if she did not know what to say.
“T
hank you, Sir Peter,
”
she murmured, then lifted troubled eyes to Lady Ballymere.
“I
f you have noticed any sign of close friendship between Lady
Cynthia
and John, I confess it has escaped me. But I will admit that I have not looked for it, and often one must look closely to perceive such things.
”

Lady Ballymere gave another little trill of laughter.
“I
have not had to look closely, I promise you, to see the impression your John has made on my daughter. She has expressed to me repeatedly how much she esteems him. In fact, it crossed my mind that
—
oh! No matter,
”
she added hastily, pretending to discard what she was about to say.

Sir Peter was frowning.
“W
hat crossed your mind, pray?
”

Lady Ballymere bit her lip in what she hoped was a pretty embarrassment.
“F
orgive me. I am so distraught this morning, my tongue is running away with me. I should think before I speak. I was about to say something so ridiculous! I was about to tell you that my first thought this morning, when I saw
Cynthia
’
s absence, was that she must be with Mr. Ellsworth. Is that not absurd?
”

Lady Ellsworth
’
s eyes flashed.
“P
erfectly absurd.
”

Lady Ballymere spread her hands apologetically.
“D
o not misunderstand me. I knew it was absurd, the moment it occurred to me. For one thing, neither John nor
Cynthia
would do anything so improper. So
grossly
improper. And for another, why should they?
”
She shook her head, trying to look arch.
“O
ne does not steal what one might have for the asking.
”

Lady Ellsworth sat very straight in her chair.
“M
y dear Lady Ballymere, what can you mean?
”
she exclaimed.
“T
here has been no thought of marriage between Lady
Cynthia
and John.
”

“C
ertainly not,
”
said Lady Ballymere, trying to look shocked.
“I
did not intend to imply it.
”

“J
ohn is far too young to contemplate such a step.
”

“O
h! Well, as to that, I have known many a young man greatly improved by marriage. And apart from his youth, I assure you,
I
would have no objection to the match. No serious objection, that is. Although
—”
She shook her head, trying to look firm.
“I
t would be difficult to tolerate a match brought about by such sledgehammer tactics as these.
”

Sir Peter swelled like a toad. Lady Ellsworth looked ready to jump from her chair. The duke and duchess were stiff with disapproval. Lord Grafton turned to his wife.
“M
y dear, may I suggest that this conversation does not concern us?
”
he said mildly. He rolled his eyes significantly toward their daughters. Jane and Betsy had stopped eating their breakfasts several minutes ago and were hanging on the unfolding drama, agog.

Lady Grafton bit her lip.
“O
f course, my dear. Girls! Come along.
”
A brief silence fell while the marquess and marchioness shepherded their disappointed daughters out of the room.

Lord Grafton paused in the doorway.
“P
ray summon me if you require my assistance,
”
he said dryly.
“I
n searching for Lady
Cynthia
. Or, of course, for Mr. Ellsworth.
”
The marquess bowed and departed.

Lady Ellsworth blanched at these fell words.
“G
ood heavens,
”
she exclaimed, her voice shaking.
“H
as everyone run mad this morning? Why look for John? My son has not abducted Lady
Cynthia
!
”

“C
alm yourself, Eunice,
”
said the duchess soothingly.
“N
o one is suggesting such a thing. Lady Ballymere is overwrought.
”

Lady Ballymere decided to overlook this unflattering characterization of her behav
ior. It would avail her nothing
to antagonize the Chases.
“A
t any rate, this portion of the mystery will be quite easy to solve,
”
she said brightly.
“W
here
is
your son, Lady Ellsworth? I would like to ask him a question or two. He may have some idea that has not occurred to the rest of us.
”

Lady Ellsworth played with the edge of her collar, looking uneasy.
“I
have not seen John this morning.
”

It was exactly the answer Lady Ballymere was expecting, but she pasted a look of astonishment and disquiet on her face.
“M
y word! Can it be possible? Sir Peter, have you seen your son?
”

Sir Peter was looking extremely disturbed.
“N
o,
”
he said bluntly.
“B
ut, my dear Lady Ballymere, we must not jump to conclusions.
”

She naturally ignored this piece of advice. Lady Ballymere flew out of her chair and paced the room, her voice rising to a pitch of near-hysteria.
“W
e must find him! Send for his manservant
—
send for
someone!
Someone must know where he is. Oh, I shall go mad!
Both
of them missing
—
Sir Peter, I beg you
—”
She faced him, clasping her hands at her bosom.
“F
or pity
’
s sake, set my heart at rest! If anything has happened
—
if my daughter
’
s honor has been compromised
—”

“P
reposterous!
”
cried Lady Ellsworth.

Sir Peter had risen when Lady Ballymere did.
“N
ow, now,
”
he said testily,
“
you are fretting yourself to flinders over nothing, Lady Ballymere. Whatever has happened here, whatever the answer to this mystery may be, I promise you that John has not compromised your daughter. My son absolutely, positively, would not do such a thing.
”

She flung out her hand toward the duke.
“Y
our Grace,
”
she said piteously.
“I
appeal to you!
”

A formidable frown had gathered on the duke
’
s features.
“I
find this entire scene highly distasteful,
”
he said acidly.
“B
ut I assure you, Lady Ballymere, if anything untoward has occurred
—
which I sincerely doubt!
—
justice will be done. Loose behavior will not be tolerated under any roof of mine.
”