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“In two days’ time, then?”
“That would be delightful.”
With a slight bow, Mr. Payne said, “Good day, Miss Dowding.”
She tipped her head in response. “Good day, Mr. Payne.”
The words had barely left her mouth when the butler approached and announced, “Mr. Walker is here to see you, Miss.”
“Will you show him into the drawing room?”
“As you wish,” Graham replied before rushing off to do her bidding.
Pointing towards the townhouse, Madalene asked her boxing instructor, “Would you care to exit out the main door this time?”
Mr. Payne shook his head. “I shall depart through the back fence, assuming you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” she replied. “Whatever is most convenient for you.”
With a parting smile, Mr. Payne turned and started walking towards the back fence. She couldn’t help but smile when she heard him whistling a jaunty tune.
Madalene headed towards her townhouse and extended her mufflers to the waiting footman. She found herself curious as to why her solicitor had decided to call upon her. Did I forget about an appointment, she wondered.
Stopping at a large oval mirror in the entry hall, Madalene saw that her face was still flushed, and tendrils had escaped her tight chignon. She tucked the locks of brown hair behind her ears and smoothed down her pale blue cotton gown.
“Oh, dear,” she muttered under her breath, “I’m afraid it won’t get much better than this.” She didn’t dare take the time to go change; that would make Mr. Walker wait entirely too long.
Madalene stepped into the drawing room and saw her stout solicitor staring out the window, his hands behind his back. He was wearing a plain grey suit with matching trousers and his brown hair was combed neatly to the side.
“Good morning, Mr. Walker,” she greeted politely.
Dropping his arms, Mr. Walker turned to face her with a frown on his face. “Good morning, Miss Dowding,” he responded curtly.
“Whatever is wrong?”
His frown intensified. “There is no easy way to say this.” He paused. “Miss Hardy is missing.”
“Missing?” she gasped as her hand covered her mouth.
“I’m afraid so.”
Madalene walked over to the settee and lowered herself down onto it. “When did this happen?”
Taking a step closer to her, Mr. Walker explained, “Miss Hardy was noticeably absent this morning, and Miss Gaillard took it upon herself to visit the headmistress’ room. When she arrived, she discovered that the room was in disarray, and Miss Hardy was nowhere to be found.”
“Was the constable notified?”
Mr. Walker nodded. “He was, and the constable suspects foul play. He believes the room was ransacked.”
Pursing her lips together, Madalene murmured, “Poor Edith.”
“After the constable left, I came here directly to tell you the horrific news,” Mr. Walker said, his voice saddened. “I wanted you to be the first to know.”
“I appreciate that.”
“With your permission, I would like to hire a Bow Street Runner to run a parallel investigation into Miss Hardy’s disappearance.”
“Please do,” Madalene remarked firmly. “What else can we do?”
