“They are not there.” Lettsome spat the words. “There was no way the boys I hired could have missed a woman being brought into the house.”
“I know it, but there was that woman who was with his lordship. I’ll wager that she has ’em, or knows where they are.” Women were soft. She was the one who made his lordship interfere. Davies started to fidget and stopped. “I’ll find them, sir. I ain’t never let a slave escape yet.”
“See that you do.”
That conversation had been almost two weeks ago, and each day he’d waited for word. Finally, one of the boys came up to him at the pub he’d started patronizing and slid onto the bench opposite him. “I found the mort.”
“How?” It’d taken Davies too long to learn that ladies didn’t go to gentlemen’s houses.
“’E’s been goin’ to the same place every time I turned around for days now. It’s got ta been her ’ouse.”
“Have you seen her?”
“Na, but I ’eard she’s been sick.”
Davies slid the coin across the table and it disappeared into the lad’s coat. “Tell me when you see her.”
“You got it.” The boy left as quickly as he’d arrived.
This time he’d find out where Rymer’s wife and son were. Davies would do whatever he had to make her tell him where the slaves were. He drained his glass of ale. It wouldn’t be long now.
* * *
That evening, Frits and his mother had come to dinner, and the next morning, Adeline went over designs and fabric with her mother’s modiste. A few hours later, she had finally selected sufficient gowns and other garments to start her on married life.
“I’ll do my best, my lady.” The modiste stared at the list she’d written. “Most of it will have to be sent after you leave Town.”
“Lady Littleton has several seamstresses coming up to Town to help. If you can get the clothing done enough, it can be finished in the country.”
The woman nodded. “Normally, I like to see the final results myself, but I understand your haste.”
“I appreciate you agreeing to take the time to attend my daughter. If it was up to her, she would probably not have a new wardrobe at all.”
“I’ll see that it does not come to that, my lady.” The woman sounded properly horrified.
Adeline had almost fallen asleep on a daybed when her mother and the modiste had begun discussing how all the gowns would be finished. It really was not true that she’d forgo new gowns. Hadn’t she been complaining all Season that she wanted more color in her garments? What she had not wanted was to be in Town waiting for the clothing to be completed.
A satisfied smile curved her lips. And now she would not have to.
* * *
The following day was Dorie and Exeter’s wedding. Adeline and Georgie sat together in St George’s Church and Henrietta attended Dorie. The ceremony was lovely, but Adeline was thankful that she would not be marrying in the large church. Not that she knew anything at all about the church at Littlewood, but it had to be smaller and more comfortable than this.
When she arrived at Huntingdon House for the wedding breakfast, Frits was waiting for her. “How are you feeling?”
“A little tired still.” She did not want to put off their journey to her new home, but she was afraid she might have to.
“Sweetheart, you look pale.” Frits’s lips pressed together for a moment. “We should wait a few more days before journeying to Littlewood.”
“As much as I would like to disagree with you, I am afraid you are correct.” He led her to a table and held the chair as she sat. “I dislike disappointing you.”
“Disappoint me?” He looked surprised. “Never. It would take much more than you finishing your recovery to do that.” He raised her hand and kissed it. “I believe there are ices to be had. I’ll get some for you.”
Georgie took one of the other chairs and propped her chin on her palm. “Well?”
Adeline couldn’t stop the grin from growing on her face. “We are betrothed. Our families will be traveling to Littlewood as soon as I am able. How much notice will you need for the wedding?”
“I am so happy for you!” Her friend hugged her. “I shall leave as soon as I receive your invitation.”
