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“Lucy—” called Fitzhugh, running after her. He stopped at the base of the stairs, turned to look at the other gentlemen, and shrugged helplessly.

“Sir!” interrupted Jason. “This message just come for you from Axminster.”

“Axminster? Give it here.” He unfolded the note printed with the direction of an inn called The Bird and Hound at the top.

Mr. Deveraux,

By the time you receive this I shall be well on my way to Crawfords Dean. I know you fail to accept my concept of Duty. That has proven from the first a major obstacle to the possibility of any True Understanding between us.

It is why I am journeying back home. As Charlie is now married, it behooves me to prepare Lion's Gate for the arrival of its new mistress.

I do not know when this might be, so I should proceed instantly.

I've left Lady Talavera in the hands of the proprietor of this inn. He promises to see to her return.

I'm sorry to leave in this dog-in-the-manger manner; however, you have convinced me that I had no choice, for you are not willing to listen to my requests to leave. Also, I fear for you all if I stay. Thus rears the ugly head of my duty once again.

I have left a note for Miss Sprockett telling her not to hurry back to Crawfords Dean on my account. She should enjoy her first holiday in years.

My best to your family. I remain with respect and affection,

Leona Leonard

“Damnation, ” Deveraux swore as he lowered the letter. In the region of his heart an icy hand clenched.

“May I?” inquired Keirsmyth.

Mutely Deveraux handed it to him. How could she run off like this? Did she misconstrue his anger last night? Did she feel it was all directed at her when it was his fears for her that fanned the flames of his ire?

“Nigel!” called Lady Nevin from the top of the stairs. “Leona is gone! I have a note?—”

“I know, Maman,” he said, cutting her off. He walked to the base of the stairs. “I have one, too. And please lower your voice. We do not need to wake our other guests.”

“ Bah! ”

Another door farther down the hall upstairs opened, letting out the sound of sobbing. “Oh-h, Lady Nevin! Lady Nev-vin!” cried Maria, coming out of the room.

Lady Nevin hurried toward Maria Sprockett, enfolding her in a warm embrace. “I know, I know. Leona’s gone.”

Maria sniffed and nodded, her handkerchief held up to her nose. She turned to allow Lady Nevin to lead her toward the stairs. Lady Lucy brushed past them. She ran down the stairs.

“Nigel! I’ve looked everywhere, and I’ve sent the other servants out as well, but it is the oddest thing. I can’t find Sarah.”

“Sarah Jewitt? Your dresser?”

She nodded. “I-I think something may have happened to her. I even checked her room. It’s in great disarray—which is not like her at all! And worse, I think —I think there's blood on the bed!"

“Miss Leonard! Is something amiss? What is it, lass?” Mr. Tubbs called out as he ran out of the inn while wiping his hands on his leather apron.

Leona pulled Molly to a stop and tossed the reins to one of the Golden Goose’s ostlers. “I need a horse, Mr. Tubbs. The fastest one you’ve got!” She jumped out of the small carriage, dragging her portmanteau with her. It bumped heavily against her shins. She stumbled and grimaced at the sharp pain.

“You need another carriage horse?” he asked, watching as his man led Molly toward the stables.

“No, no! A riding horse! I must return to Castle Marin as swiftly as possible.”

“Return to Castle Marin!”

“Yes. Dear Mr. Tubbs, I know I am a sad trial to you, but please trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

He scratched the balding spot on top of his head and looked at her dubiously. “‘Tis mighty late, Miss Leonard.”

“Which is why I’m proposing to ride! It’ll be much faster than by carriage.”

“Excuse me, Miss Leonard,” interrupted Noah Tubbs, coming up next to them. He quickly grabbed the cap off his head and held it before him in both hands, twisting it round and round. “But we don’t have no lady’s saddle.”

She dismissively waved her hand. “I shall ride astride then. It would probably be safer for the pace I’ll be setting. I’ll just tuck my skirts about my legs. They’re full enough. Please, do not think to make any more excuses. It is not a matter of wanting to go today. It is a matter of having to. ”

“Now, now, lass,” Mr. Tubbs said, taking her portmanteau from her and leading her into the inn. “You’re talking like it were a matter of life and death.”

She rounded on him , grabbing him by his beefy upper arms. “Mr. Tubbs, it is.”

He scratched his head. “Well, I don’t know?—”

“Mr. Tubbs? Is that Miss Leonard out there with you?” called a woman’s voice from down the hall.

Leona turned toward the voice, a quick smile lighting her face. “Yes, it is, Mrs. Tubbs.” Her smile broadened when she saw an apple-cheeked woman in an oversized mobcap.

“Bless you, child. Mr. Tubbs said you were here earlier. I was right sorry to miss seein’ you. Now, what can the Tubbs family be doing for you?” she asked kindly, taking both of Leona’s hands in hers.

“As I’ve told Mr. Tubbs, I need to return to Castle Marin immediately. I’d like to rent his fastest horse, and I don’t care about the saddle. I don’t care if I must ride astride or bareback!”

“There is trouble, dear?” Mrs. Tubbs asked, her soft brown eyes clouded with concern.

Leona compressed her lips, then relented. “Yes,” she admitted. “And I must set it to rights tonight.”

Mrs. Tubbs patted her hand and nodded, then turned and fixed her husband with a baleful glare.

“Well, don’t just stand there like a dolt, see to it, Mr. Tubbs!

See to it at once!” He looked at her askance and scratched his head again, but then agreed.

“Yes, of course, my dear,” he said, loping off on his short fat legs in a seesawing manner.

“Now, while he has a horse saddled, let me fetch you a cup of tea. I’m thinking you’ve a long ride ahead of you and could use the warmth.”

Leona agreed and allowed Mrs. Tubbs to show her into their best private parlor and serve her a rich, strong tea.

She was just finishing her cup when Mr. Tubbs returned.

He had her portmanteau in one hand, and a long dark cloak draped over the other.

He laid the cloak over the back of the settle and set the portmanteau before her.

“I hope you won’t mind my presumption, miss, but I’ve added to your luggage.

” He opened up her portmanteau and pulled out a beautifully carved and scrolled pocket pistol.

“’Tis a fancy piece. I had it off a lad in place of his bill.

Thought he’d be back to reclaim the piece someday, but it’s been over a year, so I guess not.

” He stared at the small gun, then shrugged.

“Anyway, it’s one of those new ones with a safety pin, see?

” He half-cocked the hammer and pointed to the pin fitted into the pan cover.

“Won’t go off on accident, you see.” He shuffled his feet a bit as he stared at it, then he put the pistol in her portmanteau and reclosed the bag.

“It’s gettin’ late in the day. I thought you should have it. ”

She looked at him thoughtfully, touched by his concern. “Thank you, Mr. Tubbs.”

His mouth twisted deprecatingly, and he shrugged.

Then he grabbed up the cloak and held it out to her.

“It’s turnin’ colder,” he said gruffly. “That habit won’t be enough.

You were sick long enough this winter. If I was to let you go without somethin’ warmer on, Miss Sprockett would give me the sharp edge of her tongue, and that’s a fact.

’Sides,” he said, turning red, “I can’t figure how you can ride ladylike astride. This might help.”

Leona laughed at the last but accepted the cloak.

“You know, Mr. Tubbs, you may be right. Perhaps this is a good idea.” She flung the cloak about her shoulders, clasping it at her neck.

She walked briskly out of the inn into the courtyard where Noah Tubbs stood holding a prancing chestnut mare with a white star on her forehead.

“She’s a bit frisky, Miss Leonard,” warned Noah as he held the horse steady while his father strapped Leona’s portmanteau to the saddle. Then he helped her into the saddle and held onto the reins while she adjusted her skirts.

Leona gathered the reins up, feeling the quivering restless energy in the mare as she sidled. “Thank you, Noah, you chose well. Goodbye, gentlemen, and thank you again!” she called out as she set her heels to the horse, delighted at the animal’s quick response.

The horse was indeed frisky and not at all averse to a gallop. Unfortunately, Leona knew she could not expect the animal to maintain that pace all the way to Castle Marin. It would be wiser to conserve some of the horse’s energy. Regretfully, she slowed her pace.

She had gone some five miles when suddenly the horse’s gait changed to an uneven, jolting rhythm and then to a limping walk.

Leona stopped the horse and slid off her back.

The horse was favoring one of its hind legs.

After wrapping the reins around a low tree branch, Leona lifted the injured foot to find a stone wedged deeply in there.

She tried to work the stone loose, but she could not get a grip on it for the foot was tender, and the horse sidled and pulled away at the least pressure she exerted.

So awkwardly was the stone lodged that most likely the shoe would have to be removed before it would come out.