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‘’Course we thought it was just the headache talking so I made him some tea and bacon, but by the time I brought it over, he was gone. So, I checked in his coffer, I hope you don’t mind, and it was empty.’
‘Empty...’ Henrietta swallowed, trying to maintain an outward appearance of calm when her insides felt like a butter churn. ‘But... I don’t understand—what about his sons?’
‘He did ask where they were, my boy says, so he told him they was with you and...well, David said something about it being for the best.’
‘What?’
‘But I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that. He loves his boys, there’s no doubting that. No matter how much he drinks, he won’t abandon them...not for ever, anyways.’
‘Didn’t he give any clue about where he was going?’
‘No, but if I hear anything I’ll send word straight to the shop. In the meantime, you take care of ’em boys and I’ll keep an eye on the house. I’ll give it a good clean up, too. Ready for when he comes back again. It’s the least I can do for Alice.’ Mrs Roper gave a loud sniff. ‘She was a lovely girl.’
‘She was.’ Henrietta found herself blinking furiously. ‘Thank you, Mrs Roper. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done.’
‘And you take care of her—’ Mrs Roper turned fierce eyes on Sebastian ‘—whoever you are.’
‘Oh, forgive me, this is Anna’s brother,’ Henrietta murmured, having forgotten about introductions until that moment. ‘Mr Sebastian Fortini.’
‘The Countess’s brother?’ Mrs Roper’s expression turned instantly to one of dismay. ‘I do beg your pardon, sir.’
‘Don’t mention it.’ He inclined his head. ‘You were absolutely right to be suspicious. I’m sure Mr Gardiner would be most obliged.’
Henrietta reached for his arm before he could offer it, glad of the support as he led her back towards Belles. Now that the initial shock had passed, she felt as though she were walking through a cold fog, unable to see what was going on around her and feeling numb all over. It was taking all of her energy just to put one foot in front of the other. As for her mind... The same questions kept swirling around her head. Where was David? How could he have got up that morning and just left? Or had he been planning to do it for weeks, simply waiting for an opportunity to leave the boys with her? No, surely he wouldn’t have done anything so calculating? Surely he wouldn’t have done this deliberately to her, to his sons, to all of them?
‘Can you think of any place he’s likely to go?’ Sebastian’s voice jolted her back to the present and thankfully out of the fog. They were already turning the corner on to Swainswick Crescent, she noticed, though she had no memory of even crossing Pulteney Bridge. ‘Do you have any other family?’
‘No, it’s been just the two of us, and then Alice, for years.’
‘It still might be worth paying a visit to Ashley.’ He looked thoughtful. ‘With your permission, I’ll take a ride out there and see. If he’s walking that way, then I’ll likely pass him on the road. If not, I can leave word at the local tavern to contact you if he makes an appearance.’
‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘There’s no need to involve yourself any more in my troubles. I’ve put you out enough.’
‘Not at all. I want to help and it’s a nice day for a ride.’
‘You don’t have a horse!’
‘But I do have friends with horses.’
‘Mr Fortini—’
‘Sebastian.’
‘Sebastian... I’m very grateful for your help, but you said that you were staying in Bath to catch up with old friends. How can you do that if you’re chasing after my brother?’
‘There’s plenty of time for both.’
‘Is there? Because I don’t want to inconvenience you or to keep you from your family either. They don’t even know that you’re back in England. They’ll still be worried about you.’
‘Ah, but not for much longer. I wrote to both Staunton Manor and Feversham Hall this morning. That should put Anna and my mother’s minds at rest.’
‘Good.’ She let out a heartfelt sigh of relief. ‘I’m sure it will.’
‘Although I admit it felt slightly absurd to be writing to such addresses, never mind to a countess.’
‘But why should it? Your grandfather was a duke, wasn’t he?’
‘He was.’ His steps faltered briefly as his brows snapped together. ‘Did Anna tell you that? We hardly ever spoke about it growing up.’
