AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If something has happened to him, I want to see for myself.”
“Let us just find him or his cousin first,” Francis said, turning away again before she could protest. “Go sit with your mother.”
“He is right,” her mother told her softly. “You are quite in shock from this whole affair. We do not want anything else to happen to you.”
In the sitting room, maids were already stoking the fire, lighting candles, and opening the curtains to allow the pale morning light to start illuminating the room. As Lydia sat on the couch with her mother, another maid brought them a tray of hot tea.
“This day simply will not get any better for you,” her mother mused.
“I do hope Michael is all right,” Lydia whispered, clutching her cup of tea. “But if he is, I cannot stand to think he did quite abandon me on our wedding night.”
“Is that what Mr. Conner said?” her mother asked, brow furrowed.
“Yes, he told me that Michael should not have married me, that he would make a terrible husband, and that he would not be coming back to me.”
“That screams of deceit, to me,” her mother replied, stroking her back comfortingly. “He was simply trying to manipulate you. I’m proud of you for getting away unharmed.”
“I am so afraid,” Lydia whispered.
“I know, darling,” her mother cooed, pulling Lydia into an embrace.
Shortly, Trinity arrived with the rest of their sisters in tow. Each of them reached out to embrace Lydia, offering comforting words. Lydia found herself tapping her feet, fidgeting in her seat, trying to fight the anxiety flooding through her body. Her mother, tired of her tapping, laid her hand on Lydia’s knee, a silent reminder to be still. She tried for a moment, only to resume just a few short moments later.
Francis returned to the room eventually, shaking his head. “So far, we cannot find the duke or his cousin.”
“Surely they are still in the house!” Lydia cried, leaping up. “Michael said he was going down to the cellar.”
“Yes,” Francis assured her. “We found the wine cellar, no sign of your husband. We assure you, we looked everywhere.”
“Not everywhere!” Kitty cried behind them.
Francis turned around, startled. Lydia and the others looked past Francis to Kitty, who had come into the room behind him. She had dressed into her morning dress already, despite the early hour. Her eyes were red from crying. She looked around at them all, afraid and ashamed.
“What do you mean?” Lydia demanded. Her heart raced in her chest, realization hitting her.
“There’s a secret cellar in the house,” Kitty explained, her breath catching as though she was struggling not to cry. “The butler should know. It’s where they store the best wine, away from the rest of the staff. Only he and the housekeeper have keys.”
“How do you know about this?” Francis asked, stepping towards the door of the room already.
Tears started spilling down her cheeks, her expression twisted in fear and regret. “Joseph told me.”
“Told you what?” Lydia asked coldly, stepping towards her. Her hands curled into fists, overcome with rage. “What did Joseph tell you?”
“He told me everything!” she cried, retreating from Lydia. “I know everything. I promise, I didn’t want anything terrible to happen to anyone.”
Martha quickly stepped forward, holding Lydia back. “Come, Katherine, come sit and tell us everything you know,” she said. Looking to Francis, she said, “Find the butler, ask him if they’ve searched this secret cellar.”
Francis left the room without another word, his back stiff with urgency. He pushed Kitty unceremoniously out of the way, further into the room. As he pushed back, Lionel and Ranora entered the room. Lydia immediately turned back to Kitty, ignoring them.
“Mr. Conner has confided everything to you?” Lydia asked, indignant.
Every moment that she had strived to be polite to Kitty came back to her. The thought that Kitty might be an accomplice in the entire affair made her feel a cold, unbridled anger toward the young girl. Kitty nodded her head, sending Lydia into a further fury. Martha stayed her with another touch on her arm, a subtle attempt to keep Lydia from doing anything drastic.
“Kitty, have a seat and tell us everything that you know.”
The girl crossed the room, her head hung low. For once, she truly looked her age, just a girl no older than eighteen years. “What is going on?” Ranora demanded angrily.
“We heard a clamor,” Lionel added. “Would someone please explain what is going on?”
