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Arthur darted upstairs and into the drawing room. There was the letter on the table. He snatched it up and examined it closely. It was only his mother’s arrival that kept him from cursing.
There was no address. Nothing, save the few short sentences and the signature. “Scarlett. But who is Scarlett? And how am I to find her?” He grimaced.
His mother moved forward and looked at the letter with interest. “You know, I had a notion you might need the coach. And, of course, our coachman.”
“Yes, if I knew where to go…”
His mother’s lips curved in a sly grin. “Arthur dear, you know very well that Jack remembers every destination he’s ever been to... and who resides there.”
Several things occurred to him at once. The first was that he now knew how his mother had known of his liaisons in the past.
The second was that she was correct. He whirled around and gave her a heartfelt kiss on the cheek. “Of course. He would know where he took Nora last night.”
“So he would. So change your shirt, and go and get them back.”
Freezing was becoming a rather annoying habit. Arthur nearly tripped over his own feet as he stumbled to a stop and turned to face her again. “You... you know?”
“About the child?” His mother smiled indulgently. “I’ve suspected something of the sort for some time. The manners, the education... the insistence on living away from the grounds, despite the space in the servant’s quarters... it was not so hard to determine that she had once been part of a Society household in some capacity. And then, of course, I heard the two of you arguing this morning. I came in and saw the letter, and I read it.”
“And you do not disapprove?”
“Why should I?” His mother’s smile was warmer this time. “She is a hard worker and an honest one. And I admire her courage to keep the babe. Many a young woman in her situation would have got rid of the child or tried to marry and conceal the truth before the babe was born. Others would have left the child on the steps of the nearest church if they could.” She reached out and patted his hand. “Her daughter is a darling little girl, you know. Quite the loveliest and sweetest of children.”
Arthur blinked. “You... you’ve seen the child?”
“I did. When we collected the red-haired lass for that unfortunate visit to the modiste.” His mother chuckled softly, in a tone she had once used when indulging him in some treat or another as a boy. “Her friend tried to present the babe as her own, but she has Nora’s face and eyes. I wondered then, but I kept my peace since Nora did not seem ready to speak of it.” Another fond smile. “Beauty, discretion, a loving heart, and a ready wit—she will make a fine Duchess for you.”
He had not even thought of that, and a renewed flush of shame pulsed through him. “You are right.” He bent and kissed her hand, then smiled. “I hope to return soon, but whether I do or not, be sure that I will not return until I have our girls.”
He changed his shirt, cleaned up as fast as he could, then bolted for the carriage, barely remembering his coat and hat as he went. He might not have bothered had not Bradstone been waiting to hand him those very items, as well as a satchel that he suspected would contain travel necessities. His mother’s work, no doubt.
Moments later, he was on his way.
* * *
The house that Jack drove him to was a small cottage not too far from the manor, though he would not have wanted to walk it every day as he suspected Nora might have. It was neat and comfortable looking if a bit worn.
He waited until the coach stopped, then leaped out, strode up to the door as quickly as dignity would permit, and knocked three times.
Seconds later, the door opened to reveal a familiar face. The red-haired woman who had accompanied Nora to the shops stared back at him with a distinctly unimpressed expression on her face.
He swallowed. “Scarlett?”
“Your Grace.” She looked him up and down and gave a begrudging nod. “You turned up faster than I expected. I’ll give you that. But you’ve missed them.” Her expression darkened.
“Missed them?” He felt his heart sink.
“Went to catch a royal mail coach, not two hours past.”
He had been so close. He resisted the urge to punch something or take off his hat and crumple it. “I... did she... did Nora say why?”
“She did.” Scarlett sighed. “I know you quarreled, and she told you about Lydia. I thought then it might be shock that made your words sharp, but Nora’s a stubborn little thing.”
“I have observed that, yes.” He nodded, and Scarlett flashed him an approving grin.
“Well, she’s convinced you’ll break her heart if she dares to trust you, so she left and took the wee one with her.”
His heart sank. Then he noted the expectant expression on Scarlett’s face. “I hope you know that I would never do any such thing. I spoke in haste and error earlier, but I would never wish to break her heart.”
