The maid’s eyes grew wide. “I… uh…”
“If you don’t tell me the truth, then I will have the constable arrest you as an accomplice in Miss Bentley’s abduction.”
Tears came to the maid’s eyes as she rushed to say, “I went to run errands yesterday and Lord Worthington’s footman approached me,” she shared. “He offered me a shilling to deliver the letter to Miss Bentley this morning.”
“Do you know what the contents were?”
She bobbed her head. “It was a love letter.”
“A love letter?” Roswell repeated.
“Yes, Lord Worthington was trying to convince Miss Bentley to run away to Gretna Green with him,” she said.
“Is that what the footman told you?”
“It was.”
Roswell huffed. “You were deceived,” he told her. “You were tricked into delivering a message to Miss Bentley so Lord Worthington could abduct her.”
The maid gasped. “No!”
He took a commanding step towards her. “If it were up to me, I would dismiss you on the spot, but you have been acting as Miss Bentley’s lady’s maid,” he said. “I will let her do with you as she sees fit.”
Tears streamed down the maid’s face. “I would never want harm to befall Miss Bentley,” she cried. “You must know that.”
“Leave us,” Roswell barked, turning back towards the group.
Charles watched him closely as he asked, “Are you sure you are up to this?”
“You do not need to concern yourself with me,” he said firmly. “I will do whatever it takes to get Ellie back.”
“That is what I am afraid of,” Charles replied.
“What would you have me do?” Roswell asked. “Sit around my townhouse and do nothing while Lord Worthington has absconded with my fiancée?”
“I never said that.”
“It is what you implied.”
Charles shook his head. “I just urge you to use restraint when we find them.”
“I’m afraid I can’t promise that.” Roswell turned his attention towards Lady Worthington. “We will bring Ellie back to you.”
Lady Worthington gave him a weak smile. “Please do,” she said. “Lord Worthington is a terrible excuse for a human being.”
Roswell nodded his acknowledgement before departing from the drawing room. Charles’ voice followed him as he walked towards his study. “Where are you going?”
“I am retrieving my dueling pistols,” Roswell replied.
Charles hurried to catch up to him. “It might be best if we formulate a plan before you go half-cocked.”
“My plan is simple,” Roswell stated, glancing over at him. “I will ride fast and hard until we find Ellie. Then, I will not rest until she is safely back in my arms.”
“That does sound like a brilliant plan, but I can think of many ways it could go wrong.”
“Then you are imagining it wrong.”
“I don’t believe I am.”
