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“You think she has run away with Musgrave?”
“Was … was he at Mannering when you left?”
He frowned. “I spoke to him earlier, but he said he had some things to do before he could accompany us on our journey.”
“Oh no.” The tremors in her heart matched the rippling sensation as his thumb caressed the back of her hand. Oh, how could she pay attention to such things at a time like this?
“What is it?”
“They—the lieutenant and Becky—have been very close.”
“But I cannot think a man of his years and experience would dare risk so much to take up with a girl who just happens to be my niece.”
His calm matter-of-factness stole some of the breath from her fears. “You don’t think they have run off together?”
“I hardly think Musgrave the sort to run off to Gretna Green.”
New dread struck. “They wouldn’t need to go there. Anywhere across the border would work if they intend to be married. Anywhere like Coldstream, which is only fourteen miles from here.”
His lips pressed together as he gave her a quick, searching look.
“I know it sounds nonsensical, sir, and perhaps you think me foolish, but I cannot but feel a most dreadful unease.”
“I could never think you foolish.” He drew nearer, possessed himself of both her hands again. “I’m sure she is safe.”
“But the border is not so very far after all. They might be getting married as we speak!”
He frowned. “It is not like you to be so worried.”
“I know, I know. I don’t mean to be a peahen—”
“A peahen is the last thing I think of when I think of you, my dear.”
Her cheeks warmed. “It is just that everything has been so topsy-turvy of late, and I hardly know what to think.”
Again he gave her that odd look, as if waiting for something more.
Frustration mounted within. Oh, where was his famed decisiveness now? “Sir, you must retrieve them.”
As if startled from his lethargy, he gave a short nod. “Of course.” Purpose stole across his face, his features seeming to draw in, to sharpen. “What has been done?”
“Grandfather is not well, and my mother is so flustered that I could not speak too openly. But from what I can gather, it seems that someone—perhaps the lieutenant—called for her not an hour ago, and they went off in his curricle.”
“And you would have me follow them?”
“As her uncle, it is only proper.”
“Of course.” He rose, giving her another of those looks weighted with speculation. “I best go and get organized at once.” His lips lifted in a rueful smile. “The carriage cannot travel fast weighted down with so much luggage.”
“You could use, perhaps, Grandfather’s curricle.”
“He would not mind?”
“I can ask.”
He coughed apologetically. “You must forgive me for pointing out one detail.”
“Yes?”
