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Her mother’s brow wrinkled, and she glanced at Daniel and the other diners, then rested her attention on her daughter again.
Musgrave chuckled. “Your filial duty does you much credit.”
“It is hardly duty when it is born from love.” Theodosia still gazed affectionately at her mother. “I have been most blessed with a mother as amiable as mine.”
“One should try to have an amiable mother if at all possible,” Daniel said.
“Or at least an amiable mother-in-law,” Musgrave murmured, studying his salad.
Daniel cleared his throat and turned the subject, doing his best to keep things trotting along until it became clear that his guests had replenished their plates satisfactorily enough and eaten beyond what they might consider full. “I shouldn’t wish to be a bad host, but I understand tomorrow will be a big day, so I hope that you have enjoyed your visit here.”
Becky sighed, glancing around. “It feels so strange to have things finally looking as they ought, only to leave again.” She faced Daniel. “Uncle, must I leave?”
“You know what you have to do,” he said.
“Oh, but—” She glanced at Miss Stapleton. “Oh, Theo, is there any way at all that I could stay with you?”
“And end up an old maid like me? I would not wish that on you, child. You were born for greater things than this.”
“Greater things than a merry heart, good sense, and wisdom?” Musgrave asked. “I wonder, Miss Stapleton, if you sell short God’s plans for you.”
She demurred, but the afternoon was growing long and there remained much to be done before tomorrow’s adventures.
“Mama,” Theo said the next morning from the door of the drawing room. “Have you seen Becky anywhere?”
“Rebecca? No. I haven’t seen her since we helped her finish her packing last night. Why?”
“It’s just that the captain said he would be here early, and she seems to be missing.”
Her mother’s attention wandered back to her stitching. “Perhaps she is talking with Seraphina.”
“I thought Becky disliked her.”
“Now, now. Your sister is behaving herself and has been quite pleasant these past days.”
That was true.
“Becky is probably just taking a final ride.”
Theo exhaled. Of course. “That must be it. It is a long drive, so she must have wished for exercise.”
“I wonder how long it is precisely until the carriage would reach Langley House?” Mama mused.
“I would think the best part of the day, which is why we should find her before the captain arrives. Excuse me, while I go check the stables.” She hurried outside, not trusting the task to Mr. Siddons. That man would neglect to look as carefully as she. But when she reached the stables, Gracie, Theo’s mare Becky had been prone to using, nickered in her stables and clearly hadn’t been ridden this morning.
“Where is Miss Mannering?” Theo murmured, smoothing down Gracie’s mane.
So, not outside. Not upstairs. Not downstairs either, it would seem.
When she returned to the house, the servants had the same response as before. Miss Rebecca Mannering had not been seen since last night when she’d called her goodnights and retired to her room.
“Where could she be?”
Mrs. Brigham bit her lip.
“What is it, Annie?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t want to say before, but is it possible, do you think she might have run away?”
