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“It’s important I have as much information as possible regarding your betrothed’s sister. The smallest detail might be of the greatest significance. I’ll ask her some questions today, which may sound odd, but the answers could be vital,” Arthur stated.
Jackson nodded. He only wanted to help Eloise as best he could, and he knew Arthur was the best chance they had of finding Alice. But he was also aware that any discovery could bring with it sadness, too. Arthur had warned him that those found often did not wish to be, and those left behind were often left saddened by the knowledge their loved one had intentionally left.
“Anything you can do to help will be of the greatest comfort. I know Miss Snowden only wants to know the truth. It was all so mysterious, the way her sister left, the fact her father did next to nothing to find her… I’m sure you can get to the bottom of the mystery. If you’re amenable, we’ll set off at once,” Jackson said.
It had seemed somewhat strange to have heard nothing from Eloise since the night of the Midsummer Ball. In his letter, Jackson had not only told her what Arthur had discovered so far, but he had reaffirmed his feelings for her, too. He had told her he loved her and that his love was true. He could not wait to marry her and share his inheritance with her. He had plans to take her to his estate in Kent at Loxbury Abbey, and to make a grand tour of Europe, too.
“There’s no time like the present. I’m looking forward to meeting your betrothed. She sounds like a woman after my own heart, the sort that doesn’t give up. She’s obviously determined to find her sister,” Arthur noted, as Jackson led the way across the hallway.
He had already had his carriage prepared and it was waiting for them at the bottom of the steps. They climbed in, and Jackson called out for the driver to make all haste to Viscount Snowden’s residence.
“But you say her father doesn’t want to find his own daughter?” Arthur asked as they rode through the streets.
Jackson nodded. Eloise had explained something of the strange circumstances under which she had searched for her sister. Her father had barely seemed to care about the disappearance of his own daughter, even as Eloise herself had searched desperately. It was a strange thought that a father should have no care for his own daughter and should do nothing to search for her.
“Apparently, on the day she went missing, he seemed to simply accept the matter. It was as though he knew something more than Eloise herself,” Jackson replied.
The investigator nodded.
“That’s the interesting part of the story. If he’d displayed the same emotion as his daughter, one could understand the matter as a simple flight, perhaps to an illicit marriage. But to show no concern, to think it normal… suggests he knows far more than he ever revealed. Curious,” Arthur wondered.
It was not long before they arrived at the Viscount’s house. Jackson was looking forward to seeing her. He opened the compartment door as the carriage came to a halt and jumped down, imagining the door opening and Eloise standing smiling at the top of the steps. Arthur followed, and the two men made their way up to the door. Jackson struck the knocker, but there was no reply.
“Strange… I told Eloise we were coming. She should’ve been expecting us.” Jackson turned to Arthur, who looked puzzled too.
“Knock again. Perhaps their butler is polishing silver in the pantry and hasn’t heard,” Arthur suggested.
Jackson seized the door knocker and struck harder and more persistently. This time, footsteps could be heard in the hallway, and the door was opened to reveal the butler looking somewhat flustered.
“I have an appointment with Miss Snowden. This is Mr. Arthur Dobson,” Jackson announced, as the butler looked them up and down.
“I’m told not to admit you, Your Grace,” the butler said.
Jackson looked at him in astonishment.
“What do you mean? We’re here to discuss the disappearance of Miss Alice Snowden. This man’s going to investigate her whereabouts. Ah, perhaps you’ve got me confused with Lord Crawford, he…” Jackson began, but the butler shook his head.
“No, Your Grace. I know precisely who you are. I’ve been instructed not to allow you entry. Viscount Snowden doesn’t wish for your presence in his house,” the butler uttered.
Jackson was getting angry now. This was ridiculous. He had an appointment with Eloise. They were betrothed. What possible reason could her father have for refusing him entry?
“That’s nonsense! Let me in at once,” Jackson exclaimed and tried to push past the butler into the hallway.
But at that moment, a door across the marbled floor opened and the Viscount himself emerged. His face was set in anger, and he pointed accusingly at Jackson, who stopped in the doorway as the butler barred his entrance.
“You heard what my butler said. You’re not welcome here. Leave at once, do you hear me?” he snarled.
Jackson glanced at Arthur then back to the Viscount, shaking his head in disbelief.
“My Lord, if I’ve done something to offend you or to make you angry, then please tell me. I don’t understand,” he said, even as Eloise’s father advanced towards him.
“Oh, I think you understand well enough. The way you’ve behaved is disgraceful. You’ve played me for a fool! Both of you. The ruse of falling in love. I know your game, Jackson Miles. You’re nothing but a fraud. Pretending to be in love with my daughter, and for what? Marriage? No, for your inheritance, that’s what!” he yelled.
Jackson’s eyes grew wide. How did Eloise’s father know about the ruse they had played? He stammered in protest, but the shock of being discovered was evident on his face, and he could not disguise his astonishment at being confronted in such a way.
“But, My Lord, please. It wasn’t like that. At first, perhaps, but not now. We’ve fallen in love. We’re to be married. Won’t you let me see Eloise now?” Jackson exclaimed.
He was growing desperate. Was he to be forbidden from seeing Eloise again?
