Page 35 of What the Heart Knows

“Yes.”

“Let me help you up.”

A signeted hand and cloth-covered arm reached through the murk. Kit grasped the hand and pulled. Soon he stood, his cousin’s face and George Brewster’s floating in the haze.

“What the hell were you doing, galloping in this pea soup?” Reid asked.

“Brookbank escaped.” Kit rasped, continuing to suck in air. “I went after him.”

“I gather the dragoons have the other smugglers in hand.”

“All of them, including Fenneman.”

“You came here after Brookbank because of Miss Margaret,” George surmised.

Kit’s shoulders slumped, and his heart stuttered. “He’s several minutes ahead. He could have her by now.”

“Minutes aren’t enough to take her and escape.” Reid grasped Kit’s shoulder. “She could still be in the house.”

Kit stared at Reid. “I can only hope.”

“George, go to the home farm and get the horses left there. Alert the dragoons here as you go,” the earl instructed. “Kit and I will search the house for Miss Fenneman.”

“Right away.” George ran off.

“Come on, cousin,” Reid encouraged. “Some of the doors were left unlocked. No doubt Brookbank’s standard practice.”

“Rats always leave an escape route.”

“We’re standing by the scullery, one of those unlocked doors. Let’s go find your lady,” Reid said.

“She’s not…”

“We can argue about what Miss Fenneman is or isn’t later.”

They found the servants hiding in the larder.

“Tell me where’s Miss Fenneman!” Kit ordered.

Most of the group cowered back against the far wall. Then the butler stepped forward. “The squire’s clerk locked her in her rooms earlier.”

Kit relaxed for the first time in hours. “Have you a key?”

“Aye.”

“Then lead the way, man. Hurry.”

Outside Meg’s rooms, the butler fumbled the key twice before successfully unlocking the door.

Kit pushed his way through. “Meg!” he shouted.

Silence replied.

“Search everywhere. Perhaps she’s hiding and can’t hear.” He prayed that was so, but he did not believe. Fear squeezed his heart.

“You take the bedchamber and dressing room,” Reid instructed. “I’ll search the other rooms. Yell if you find her.”

Minutes ticked by. Terror seized Kit when a thorough search proved Meg was gone. “Where could she be? If Brookbank has hurt her…”