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“I don’t think so,” she said, though she began opening the drawers of David’s desk anyway, just to be certain, and… She gasped, and her heart twisted. “It’s gone,” shebreathedout.
“What’s gone?” Simmons crossed the floor to standbeforeher.
Caroline shook her head, her heart aching terribly. “My husband’s personal journal.” Why would anyone, other than her or the children, want David’s personalthoughts?
“Is it possible it’s somewhere else, milady? Misplacedsomewhere?”
Caroline supposed that was possible, though she hadn’t seen it anywhere else. “When you finish with Donnelly, please send for Mr. Blackaby of BowStreet.”
Simmons’ brow lifted in surprise. “You want to summonBowStreet?”
Over a personal journal. That’s what he hadn’t said and Caroline felt a little ridiculous all of a sudden. But the fact of the matter was, David was gone and all she had left of him were the thoughts he’d written down. And she had to get them back. “Mr. Blackaby is an old acquaintance. I’m certain he can give me some direction on how to goforward.”
“I am familiar with Mr. Blackaby, ma’am,” Simmons replied, nothappily.
But of course he would be familiar with the Runner. Blackaby was not terribly fond of Marc. They must have encountered each other in the past. But none of that was neither here nor there as far as Caroline wasconcerned.
“Perfect,” she continued, “then you’ll know his direction.” Then she started back for the corridor to make her way to the breakfast room, late in the day as it was. “Do let me know when he arrives,” she said over her shoulder before continuing onherway.
She found Rachel nibbling on a piece of toast when she strode through the door, looking just as annoyed as she had earlier in the morning. “All right,” Caroline said to her daughter as she motioned to a maid for a cup of coffee and dropped into a seat at the table. “What iswrongnow?”
Rachel scoffed slightly. “Nothing.”
“Try that again,” Caroline said evenly. “It’s clearlysomething.”
“It wouldn’t matter anyway, Mama.” Rachelsighed.
“And just what is that supposed to mean?” Caroline asked as the maid placed a cup and saucerbeforeher.
Her daughter shook her head and dark hair bobbed against her shoulders. “You only ever keep your own council,” her daughter muttered. “I’m not allowed to do things with my friends, but you’ll associate withthatman. Hardlyseemsfair.”
“Peasemore?” Caroline frowned. “We all owe him a bit of gratitude for returning Fluff to Emma,tous.”
Rachel nibbled on another bite of toast and didn’t seem inclined to sayanythingelse.
“What don’t you like about him?” Caroline asked. “Why did you call himthatman? Has he done something awful I don’t knowabout?”
Rachel shrugged. “How could I possibly know something like that? He just seems rather taken with himself, and I find thatobnoxious.”
Her daughter did have a point, and Caroline smiled even though she didn’t quite feel it. “Well, he’s asked me to help him find a match. Should I take it that you do not want to be considered fortherole?”
A startled laugh escaped Rachel. “Honestly, Mama!” She shook her head. “No girl wants to marry a man who’s prettier than she is. It’sdemoralizing.”
“No one is prettier thanyou, sweetheart,” Carolinereturned.
“You’re my mother. You’re supposed tosaythat.”
“True,” Caroline conceded with a nod. “But that doesn’t make it any less true. You’re a beautiful girl who—” she grinned at her daughter “—couldbe a beautiful duchess someday if you wanted me tomanageit.”
“A duchess.” Rachel rolled her eyes. “I’d sooner marry Edmund than Peasemore.” And then she frowned slightly. “And I am noteverinterested in marrying Edmund, on the off chance you didn’t realize that wassarcasm.”
“I raised you,” Caroline began “I know when you’re serious and when you’re not,Rachel.”
The maid returned to the breakfast room with a plate of sausage and baked eggs that she placed in front of Caroline. Thank heavens! It smelled so wonderful, and Caroline’s stomach grumbled as she speared a sausage withherfork.
Then she glanced once more at her daughter. “Most girls would jump at the chance to be matched with a very handsomefutureduke.”
Rachel sat a little straighter in her seat. “Yes, well,Iam the daughter of the great Caroline Staveley. I believe in true love. I believe in finding the one soul who is my perfect match. I believe in love, affection, and devotion to last a lifetime. What is handsomeness or a lofty rank comparedtothat?”
