‘Lose is overstating it,’ said Jacob. ‘He is simply not where he was expected to be, rather like some viscounts I could mention.’
‘Surely, sir,’ said Ruby as she began dealing, ‘a viscount can be wherever he likes?’
Ah: her game was ingratiation.
‘Arthur might have that luxury,’ said William, ‘but I need to get back to my wife. I promised I would only be away a day.’ He picked up his hand and grimaced.
‘My staff are fully able to look after your wife and family.’ The viscount scanned his cards.
‘Not in all ways. My wife takes the view that the husband should do more than look in occasionally upon his family.’
‘Is that a criticism of me?’ asked Arthur pointedly.
William looked shocked by the accusation. ‘No! I’ve never heard that you neglected Diana and the children.’
‘Good, because I don’t. They want for nothing. However, neither am I at my wife’s beck and call. I stay away as long as I wish if I believe I have important business elsewhere. We agreed this was important.’
‘Are you now criticising my relationship with my wife?’ Sunny-tempered William suddenly became very stormy, his brother having touched on a sensitive spot. Being cooped up in the house all day waiting for Jacob to return must have tried their tempers.
‘I think we can agree,’ said Jacob, taking the unusual role of peacemaker, ‘that Diana and Charlotte are excellent but very different ladies and leave it at that. I am fortunate in both my sisters-in-law.’
Arthur and William could hardly disagree with that sentiment, so the cloud passed. Dora shot Jacob an amused look, able to do so as she had chosen a chair that meant her back was to the card party.
They had just finished eating when the back door opened and two youths, last seen camping at Rydal Water, tumbled into the kitchen.
‘Miss, miss!’ Hartley exclaimed.
Dora rose to her feet. ‘What is it, boys?’
‘Nice place you keep here, Jacob, with any local considering they have access to your cottage without so much as knocking,’ muttered Arthur.
‘Yes, it is strange how many people feel they can come without an invitation,’ Jacob replied acerbically as he went to join Dora in the kitchen.
Derwent startled her by grabbing her around the waist and sobbing into her dress front. Dora clasped the boy to her, sensing his deep distress even without knowing the cause.
‘What’s happened?’ she asked. ‘Hartley?’
‘Buck up, Derwent,’ said Hartley, embarrassed by his brother. ‘We were doing as you asked, Miss Fitz-Pennington, keeping an eye on things.’ He gulped. ‘That’s when we found them.’
‘Found what?’
‘Clothes and boots by Esthwaite Water. We think they’re Mr Barton’s.’
‘And Mr Barton?’ she asked, but she thought she knew.
‘No sign, miss. Do you think he drowned?’
Yes, she did. Her heart thumped hollowly in her chest. ‘I don’t know. Accidents are possible but let’s not jump to conclusions. Jacob, is that enough to mount a search tonight?’
Jacob nodded. ‘It is. Boys, I’m Dr Sandys, a friend of Miss Fitz-Pennington and Mr Barton. Where are the clothes? Did you leave them where you found them?’
‘Yes, sir,’ said Hartley. ‘They’re on Elter Holme. Do you know it?’
‘Certainly. It’s a good place to swim. If you’re up to it, I’d like you to go to Hawkshead and tell the innkeeper that I sent you. William, can you take the boy on your horse? It’s a fair walk but you can cut that to about twenty minutes if you ride hard.’
William nodded, all business. ‘Of course.’
‘We need a search party– the innkeeper will know who to send. They’ve got equipment for such things. While you do that, we’ll go to Near Sawrey and alert the people there– that’s nearest. We’ll meet the searchers on the lakeshore.’ Jacob met Dora’s eyes and glanced significantly down at the younger boy.
