Page 103 of Four Promises to Love

“Have you seen Tansy?”

“Oh. Yes, she’s standing by the pudding…”

Finn trailed off, seeing no sign of Tansy at the table. She scanned the area alertly…and didn’t see the girl amongst the crowd.

“She’s probably with Simon. Or with the ladies,” she said.

She had already started moving, Owen and Nell flanking her. They found Owen’s family at the Thorntons’ stall, enjoying mulled cider and handheld pies.

“Where’s Tansy?” Owen said tersely.

Xenia drew her brows together. “I think she and Simon went to look for something…”

“Roasted chestnuts,” Evie supplied. “Tansy was hungry again.”

Finn headed toward the nut hawker. Learning that Tansy was with Simon didn’t alleviate her growing sense of unease. As darkness had fallen, the fair had grown rowdier. Several drunken brawls had broken out, and she heard animal moans coming from an alley.

When Finn spotted Simon—alone—her heart crashed into her ribs. He didn’t even notice her; his gaze was glued to the demonstration being given by the blacksmith. Beneath an open awning, the smith withdrew a piece of red-hot metal from the coals, placed it on the anvil, and lowered his hammer with a skillful clang.

“Simon!” Finn called.

He turned, smiling and pointing at the smith. “Make latch. For gate.”

“Never mind that. Where’s Tansy?”

“Use necessary.” Simon furrowed his brow. “Not back?”

The nasty feeling spread in Finn’s gut. “How long has she been gone?”

He scratched his ear. “Dunno. Watch smith.”

“She’s been gone a while now.”

At the low, rumbling voice, Finn turned to the blacksmith—Mr. Keane. She remembered him from her first séance. With his brawny figure and patched eye, he resembled a pirate.

“Do you know how long, Mr. Keane?” Owen asked. “We’re worried Tansy might have gotten lost.”

“She’s been gone a quarter hour, I’d say.” Lines formed between the smith’s slashing black brows. “Young girl like that shouldn’t be on her own at this time of night. I assumed she had a chaperone. Otherwise I would have⁠—”

“It’s not your fault, sir.” Owen must have noticed Simon’s stricken expression, for he added, “Nor yours, lad. The important thing is that we find her now.”

“I’ll help,” Mr. Keane said. “Duffy will too. I’ll fetch him from his stall, and we’ll start a search.”

“We would be most grateful,” Owen said.

With a tight nod, Finn started off. Owen, Simon, and Nell fanned out, each calling Tansy’s name. They scoured the village green, going through the stalls. At some point, Owen had recruited his kin and some of the other villagers, and now there were multiple search parties combing the fair.

But there was still no sign of Tansy.

“Perhaps she returned to Pell House?” Owen suggested. “We ought to check. The others will continue looking here.”

Frantic with worry, Finn followed him into the quieter streets that led home. The darkness was deeper, relieved only by moonlight and lit windows.

Tansy knows better than to fly on her own. What if something’s happened to her?

She and Owen took turns calling for Tansy. She had begun to lose hope when a muffled whistle emerged. A Hawk’s call in a time of need.

Finn whirled, squinting at the darkness. “Did you hear that?”