Page 102 of Courting the Wrong Duke

Folding the letter with deliberate care, she looked up at Nelly. “Would you have the carriage brought around immediately?”

The maid blinked. “Before breakfast, my lady?”

“Yes.” Rosalind was already crossing toward the wardrobe. “And you'll accompany me.”

“Of course.”

Within minutes she had exchanged her nightdress for a simple morning gown, though she scarcely remembered fastening the buttons. Nelly settled a bonnet over her curls while Rosalind found herself glancing repeatedly toward the folded note resting upon the dressing table.

Each time she looked at it, the same question returned.

What could not wait until afternoon?

She made only the briefest stop in the morning room, where her mother had just been served breakfast.

“You're leaving already?” her mother asked, setting aside her teacup.

“I have had a note from Lord William.”

Understanding softened her mother's features almost at once. “Oh.”

Rosalind recognized that smile immediately. “Mama…”

“I said nothing.”

“You were thinking it.”

“I was.”

Despite the knot of unease tightening in her stomach, Rosalind almost smiled.

Her mother reached across the table and gave her hand the gentlest squeeze. “I understand.”

Rosalind hesitated only long enough to return the gesture. “I shall return as soon as I can.”

“I will be here.”

A few moments later, the carriage was already rolling away from the townhouse.

For reasons she could not fully explain, she found herself clutching William's note a little tighter with every turn of the wheels.

The carriage had scarcely turned onto the main road before Nelly leaned forward, lowering her voice despite the privacy of the coach.

“I've spoken with the maids, my lady. It took a fair amount of exchanging news before anyone was willing to offer something useful, but I believe we've found the most reliable account yet.”

Rosalind turned from the window at once, William's note forgotten for the moment in her lap.

“What have they learned?”

“One of the footmen who was serving at White's on the evening your father disappeared remembered seeing His Lordship leave rather late. He spoke with several gentlemen before bidding them goodnight, then stepped into a carriage waiting outside.”

Rosalind frowned thoughtfully. “A hackney?”

Nelly shook her head. “No. Everyone agreed it was a fine carriage. Expensive. Well appointed enough that several servants remarked upon it at the time.”

The wheels rattled over the cobbles as Rosalind considered the new information.

“Did no one recognize the crest?”