Page 25 of Memories Made At Midnight (Chronicles of the Westbrook Brides #9)
Hefferwickshire House
NINETEEN DAYS LATER ~ JUST AFTER NOON
B one-weary and his heart heavy, Cassius plodded up Hefferwickshire House’s front steps. Exhausted, Father had come home last week. Adolphus, Lucius, and their cousin Torrian Westbrook, also a private investigator, continued to search for Layton.
These past weeks hadn’t been in vain. They had located the abductors, but Layton had already escaped captivity and then disappeared without a trace.
Cassius hadn’t given up hope and prayed daily that Layton would be found alive and well.
However, he could not in good conscience neglect Beatrice any longer.
What must she think about him abandoning her before she’d even regained consciousness?
Only Fletcher’s reassurance that Beatrice’s wound appeared worse than it was and she would make a full recovery persuaded Cassius to leave her side and hunt for Layton. After all, if it weren’t for Cassius roping his brother into helping, Layton would not have gone missing.
He glanced upward.
The clear blue September sky and tranquil setting belied the battle within him. His mind warred between anticipating seeing Beatrice and despair about not finding his eldest brother.
Inhaling a deep breath to clear his thoughts, he opened the door without waiting for Simms, the butler.
Father had likely informed Beatrice that her uncle had orchestrated Layton’s abduction.
How had she taken the news?
Not only had Fletcher already notified the magistrate of Highbury’s involvement, but he had also delivered a letter from Father testifying to Highbury’s guilt, which ensured the earl’s arrest. The privileged sot wouldn’t like life behind bars, but he’d abducted a powerful duke’s son.
Highbury would face the consequences of his actions, peer or not.
A brisk tread on the black and white marble announced Simms’ approach.
Sympathy crinkled the faithful servant’s eyes at the corners.
“Lord Cassius, I’ve taken the liberty of ordering a bath and a tray for you.”
How did the man even know Cassius had returned?
“Thank you.” Cassius summoned an exhausted smile. “My parents? Miss Fairfax?”
Simms arranged his features into the neutral mien he reserved for guests.
Ah, so the butler knew something.
Something unpleasant.
“Your parents are in the duchess’s private salon, Lord Cassius.”
“Cassius?” Mother rushed into the foyer, her arms outstretched. “My dear, you are a frightful sight.” She wrinkled her nose. “And you smell.”
Nevertheless, she encircled him in a warm embrace.
Father followed in her wake, also hugging him. “Any word?”
Cassius didn’t need to ask the duke to clarify.
He shook his head. “Lucian, Torrian, and Adolphus are following up on a lead in Hexham.”
He scraped a hand through his gritty hair. God, he needed a good scrub. Preferably before he presented his odoriferous self to Beatrice, though with every breath, his heart yearned to see her sweet face.
“Hexham?” Father furrowed his forehead, obviously puzzled. “But we found his abductors hiding out in Penrith.”
“True, but we came across a man from Corbridge who vows he saw a man matching Layton’s description in Hexham. Corbridge and Hexham are only four miles apart.”
Not a long distance, even on foot.
Cassius cast his mother a guarded glance. “He was hurt, Mother, but we don’t know the extent of his injuries.”
The color drained from her face, but she maintained her composure. “At least Highbury and his thugs have been apprehended. Fletcher should be back any time with news from London about Highbury’s arrest.”
In debt up to his starched neckcloth and owing ruthless money lenders a small fortune, Highbury had resorted to abduction and extortion.
Cassius gave a distracted nod. “Please tell Beatrice I’ll come to see her as soon as I’ve made myself presentable.”
Father cleared his throat. “Son…Miss Fairfax left two hours ago. I allowed her the use of the coach.”
“ Left ?” Cassius repeated stupidly, his mind unable to comprehend Beatrice wasn’t here waiting for him. “She isn’t here?”
His parents shook their heads.
Beatrice had left.
She was gone.
Because she felt responsible for her uncle orchestrating Layton’s abduction?
No, no, no.
Despair like he’d never known overwhelmed Cassius, and it was all he could do not to bend over and keen in agony. Constanza’s betrayal had been a bee sting compared to this anguish.
Her green eyes brimming with worry, Mother squeezed his forearm. “She fretted the entire time she was here that she was an inconvenience and a burden. After the solicitors came—at her behest—and she signed the documents transferring her inheritance into her possession, she waited another week. When you didn’t come home or write…”
His mother shrugged as if she didn’t know what else to say. “Beatrice is an independent woman, and she is proud. Once she knew Highbury had been arrested, she told us she was leaving.”
“We tried to convince her to stay.” The sympathy in Father’s gaze nearly undid Cassius.
He fought against the moisture stinging his eyes.
“But she knows her mind,” Father said, “and nothing we said could persuade her.”
“Where—” Cassius cleared his throat. “Where did she go?”
Was that his voice?
That broken, tormented rasp?
“We don’t know, darling.” Mother exchanged a concerned glance with Father. “She said she had a few things to tend to before moving abroad.”
Cassius jerked his head up.
He knew precisely where she would go first.
Beatrice would never abandon her beloved pets or Millborn.
He would bet everything he owned and never touch a paintbrush again if she wasn’t on her way to Brighton.
Sprinting to the stairs, he called over his shoulder. “Father, have a fresh mount prepared and food I can take with me. Enough for Beatrice too, please.”
“But Cassius, you’ve only just returned, and you are done in.” His mother clasped her hands together. “Surely if you know where Beatrice is going, you can rest today and go after her tomorrow.”
Already halfway up the stairs, Cassius shook his head. “No, Mother. I love her, and she shall know this day how very much.”
“But—”
“Darling, don’t waste your breath.” Father draped an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “He’s in love.”
Yes, I am .
Moreover, Cassius was almost giddy with joy.
He loved Beatrice.
Marvelous, unique, intrepid, kind Beatrice.
His father’s chuckle followed Cassius down the corridor as he sprinted to his bedchamber.
After taking the fastest bath in the history of Hefferwickshire House and donning clean clothes in record time, Cassius bounded back down the stairs.
Simms and his parents waited for him in the foyer, along with Grandmama, Siobhan, and Aurelie.
Eyes shining with happiness and tears, Mother embraced him again. “Go fetch your Beatrice and bring her home.”
“That gel is special, Cassius.” Grandmama pulled him in for a fragrant hug amidst of chorus of tinkling bracelets and pendants. “I knew it the moment I laid eyes on her. And she is absolutely perfect for you.”
“Indeed, she is.” Only he’d been too blind, too self-absorbed and wallowing in self-pity to see how magnificent Beatrice was.
Stepping back, Grandmama cocked her head, reminding him of a little sparrow. “She’s not taking the major route. Look for her where you’ve been before.”
No one asked how Grandmama knew that bit of information. She had ways of knowing things that no one else did.
Still, her comment made no sense.
“What?” Cassius didn’t know what she meant. “I don’t…”
Look for her where you’ve been .
The Frolicking Fox.
He gave her a swift hug. “Thank you, Grandmama.”
“I suppose this means there will be another wedding to plan.” Mother didn’t sound the least perturbed.
“If all goes well.” Cassius couldn’t contain his triumphant grin.
Simms handed him a small bundle. “Sustenance for your journey, Lord Cassius.”
“Thank you.” Cassius sprinted down the front stairs and leaped onto the saddled horse. Thank God, he could travel faster on horseback than Beatrice could by coach.
He meant to scold her soundly for not convalescing for another week or two and for traveling alone, although with the duchy’s behemoth drivers, Farrel and Baldwin at the reins, Cassius was confident she was quite safe.
“I’m coming Beatrice Fairfax, and by heavens, I shall convince you to marry me.”