Page 18 of Miss Davis and the Architect (Dazzling Debutantes #4)

Chapter Fifteen

"Till this moment I never knew myself."

Jane Austen

* * *

I n the morning, Barclay quickly arose to await the earl’s return. From the library windows, he frequently checked the drive for the ducal carriage that had taken his brother and cousin to Chatternwell.

It was essential that he inform the earl of Dunsford’s intentions. He could not allow Jane to be tricked into the type of marriage the young dandy planned. She was to have a long and happy marriage, and many children to mother. What Dunsford planned was beyond the pale.

Pacing up and down the library, Barclay had to admit he was worried for the lady’s future. Somehow she had come to mean so much to him in a short length of time, and he could not allow her to be manipulated into an unhappy union with the loathsome little cad.

By midmorning, Barclay decided he should go to eat his breakfast. At least it would occupy some of his time while he waited.

Having just taken a seat with a laden plate, Barclay forked baked eggs into his mouth.

“Barclay!” He started in surprise, dropping his fork with a loud clatter as it bounced off his plate, splattering egg across the table. Turning around, he found Aurora, who appeared disheveled and mildly distraught.

“What is it?” Barclay quickly rose to his feet, thoughts of breakfast forgotten.

“Have you seen Tatiana this morning?”

He shook his head. “Why?”

“She was not in her bed when I awoke. I cannot find her anywhere.”

Barclay’s face twisted into a worried frown. “When did you last see her?”

“I put her to bed after her dinner, and she was sleeping when I returned to the room. At least …” Aurora’s brow furrowed as she attempted to recall the evening before. “Yes. She was there when I came back because I saw her plait on the pillow.” She looked back up. “What do we do?”

“What happened when you woke up?”

“Her bed was empty. We customarily come down to breakfast together at this time, but she must have risen much earlier. I have been searching for her, but this manor is so large, it took the longest time to check the public rooms!”

Barclay ran a hand through his hair. “I will look for her.”

“I already checked the nursery, and the library, and all the rooms on this level. And the terrace.”

He tried to think. With a sinking sensation, he realized there was one place he would have to check. “Did you look in Jane’s room?”

“No … Jane has trouble sleeping, so she has been rising late. I did not want to disturb her too early. Do you think Tatiana could be with Jane?”

Barclay briefly closed his eyes. He could hardly ask his mother to go to Jane’s room. Tatiana was his daughter. His responsibility. He was going to have to march himself down that corridor and force himself to knock on Jane’s door.

He still felt regret over how he had handled the situation with Jane. Had she waited for him the night he had stayed in his room? She deserved better, but he simply did not trust himself to be alone with her yet.

Yet you do not have a choice.

Barclay grimaced. “I shall learn what I can.”

Aurora frowned. “Barclay, what is happening between you and the young lady? I feel as if there is an undercurrent, and now … you appear quite reluctant to speak to her. Jane is a charming young woman and?—”

“There is nothing happening between me and Jane!” He kept a straight face, but he knew his mother would not be fooled. Not after barking as he had just done.

“Barclay—”

He turned and walked to the door. “I must find Tatiana.” And prevent this discussion. Aurora would likely blame herself if she knew his motive for ending his connection with Jane. He rushed off before Aurora could press the issue.

As he hurried through the grand hall, Barclay tried to prepare for his imminent conversation with Jane. Should he apologize? The young woman was clearly aware that he had snubbed her. She probably perceived it as a rejection, while he was merely attempting to navigate this awkward situation and ensure he did not take advantage of her passionate—and youthful—nature.

He exhaled deeply to settle his nerves, but the knot in his gut remained where it was. Blurting out a warning about that worm, Dunsford, was ill-advised, considering the circumstances. She was more likely to reject the caution from him than from his brother, and it was vital that she heed it, so he would not risk telling her himself.

Jane was to be happy, and his admonition would be poorly received after his callous handling of her the past few days. If only he could explain that he was doing it to protect her from himself. Reaching the corridor leading to the family wing, he hesitated to compose himself before entering.

* * *

Jane’s sleep had improved a little, but she was afraid that it was mostly due to sheer exhaustion. She had been struggling with headaches and fatigue since … She tried to recall. Since a few hours after her last cup of coffee.

She cursed Perry for not warning her of the effects of drinking the devil’s brew, which she likened to a marsh now that she was aware of what it did. Drawn in by the pretty scenery, only to find herself sinking into the swamp water, unable to extricate herself from the pull of the mud. She could happily raise her head to howl like a trapped beast—her head ached so much, she felt like a wounded animal herself.

What a fool she had been to meddle with the so-called gentlemen’s drink. Her only consolation was that Barclay had been through a similar suffering, so it was not her gender that was the basis of her problem.

Rubbing her temples, Jane attempted to think. Which set off a series of thudding echoes in her skull. She had woken with a headache, and it had only been intensifying through the past hour. Somewhere in the quagmire of pain and regrets, she recollected that Aurora had said something about relieving the symptoms.

There had been something she could do to reduce the intensity.

What had it been?

Hazily, the answer came to her. Aurora had mentioned a small amount of coffee could ease the transition. Jane rose. Resolutely, she made for the library, where there should be a pot waiting for her. She had yet to cancel the request.

Making her way slowly down the hall of arching sash windows, she headed for the main house. As she reached the end of the corridor, she nearly jumped out of her skin when Barclay suddenly appeared in front of her. She considered turning around and heading back to her room, but she could not see if anyone accompanied him to witness her cowardice, so, squaring her shoulders in frustration, she defiantly forged ahead, intending to brush past him.

“Jane?”

She halted. This was not the time to engage her in conversation. She was in no mood to hear anything he had to say. Between contending with the coffee troubles and coping with her feeling of loss over the burgeoning relationship he had severed so abruptly, Jane had no patience for a discussion. She needed to reach that coffeepot.

With determination, she resumed her trajectory. If the gentleman was to force a conversation on her, he would do so while she continued on her quest to alleviate her suffering. Reaching Barclay, she sidestepped him and marched on toward the library.

Behind her, he sighed heavily before turning to fall in step with her.

“Jane, have you seen Tatiana?”

“I have not.” Her head hurt too much for pleasantries. That he had not sought her out to apologize for his behavior was disappointing, but she only had thoughts for the coffeepot, so she kept walking.

“Did she attempt to visit you this morning?”

Jane carefully shook her head, noting that she was only steps away.

“Not at all? It is just … She is missing, and Aurora thought she might have …” Barclay trailed off as Jane strode into and across the room. To her great relief, the tray with the coffee was waiting in the usual spot on the table near the chessboard.

“Mr. Thompson, I have not seen your daughter since yesterday. Now, if you do not mind, I wish to be alone.”

Barclay had followed her, surprising her when he spoke behind her shoulder. “Jane, I know it is not what you wish to hear, but I assure you I am doing what is best.”

“Best for whom, Mr. Thompson?” She could not help herself. Her frustration came rushing out in a tight, angry demand.

The architect blinked before responding. “For you.”

“Am I not the best judge of what is best for me?”

“You are so …”

“Young?”

He nodded, devoid of words to say.

“Too young to know my own mind?”

Barclay bit his lip, visibly uncomfortable at the question.

“Tell me, Mr. Thompson, when you were my age—what were you doing?”

His gaze dropped to his boots, which he studied carefully. After a moment, he mumbled a reply. “I was training to be an architect.”

“And what did that involve? In that specific year?”

He cocked his head to think. “That would have been the final year of designing and drawing plans.”

“You were designing buildings?”

“Elevations, mostly.”

“But you were so young. How could you possibly have known your own mind? How could you know you would be an architect? How could you design elevations for buildings? Surely you were too young?”

“It is more complicated than that! There is my social status and …”

“And?”

“I cannot debate with you. My daughter is missing. Do you know where she might be?”

“Tatiana frequently wanders off on her own. Why are you so anxious?”

“She was gone before Aurora awoke. To our knowledge, she has not had her breakfast.”

Jane paused, apprehension washing over her despite her physical discomfort. “How long has she been missing?”

“Since sometime between last night and this morning. Do you know of places she might go?”

Jane rubbed her aching temple. “I cannot think.” She reached a trembling hand out to grasp the coffeepot. Aurora’s advice to drink a small quantity was now an urgent matter.

“Miss Davis!”

Her heart sank, as did her hand back to her side before the newest arrival could see what she was about. “Mr. Dunsford.”

She saw a grimace flash across Barclay’s face as he politely turned toward the gentleman standing in the doorway. Mr. Dunsford was prepared for the outdoors, a beaver tucked under his arm. “I was hoping to talk to you, Miss Davis. Could we have a word alone?” He glanced at her companion, who was glowering at her side.

“That is hardly appropriate,” growled Barclay.

Mr. Dunsford frowned slightly at the accusation. “Yet you are alone with Miss Davis?”

“We are related. Miss Davis is my sister-in-law, as you are well aware. I must insist I remain to chaperon if you wish to talk with the young lady.”

Jane quelled her irritation. Sister-in-law? Chaperon? She could cheerfully punch Barclay in the face. Drawing a deep breath, she feigned a calm voice. “I shall think about your question and get back to you. Mr. Dunsford wishes to speak with me, and I am sure it will be acceptable if we keep the door ajar, so please allow me to have my conversation with the gentleman.”

Barclay turned his narrowed eyes on her, and in their depths, she observed concern. What was he concerned about? Mr. Dunsford hardly presented a danger—he was a guest of the earl!

“I shall wait outside.”

Jane shook her head. “That is hardly necessary. You should find Tatiana.”

Barclay bit his lip, clearly torn. Lowering his voice, he spoke to her privately. “Just do not agree to anything. Tell him you will think about it.”

Jane wrinkled her nose, a question hovering on her lips as the architect left her side.

* * *

As Barclay left the library, he could not deny his fears on her behalf. Jane was sensible, and he hoped his warning was enough to delay her acceptance of Dunsford’s proposal.

Realizing that Tatiana had been missing another thirty minutes in his delayed search, he swiftly returned to the main house to find Aurora and learn if she had subsequently found his daughter.

As he entered the main hall, he looked up to find that the Duke of Halmesbury and the earl had returned. They were headed toward the earl’s study, and Barclay considered taking a moment to inform his brother of the trouble with Dunsford as he had intended to do that morning, but the length of time Tatiana had been missing was more than could be borne. If Aurora had not yet found her, Barclay needed to search the grounds.

Raking through his recollections of the past few days, he quickly cataloged places Tatiana had visited in the gardens and park so he might begin his search.

He did not wish to involve the rest of the household in searching for her yet, but if he did not find her soon, he would need to ask for help.

Aurora was in the breakfast room but had not yet seen Tatiana. Barclay strode down the hall, exiting the manor onto the terrace. He peered in every direction but saw no movement in the gardens except for a group of male guests heading to the lake for fishing.

Stepping up onto the balustrade, he used the higher vantage point to scan the park, but still no sign of his daughter. Hopping down, he ran down the steps to search the area around the majestic oak where the ladies played ninepins, but Tatiana was nowhere in sight.

His distress mounted as he accepted that it was time to ask his brother to form a search party. There were several ponds around the property, and his fear increased at the thought of Tatiana slipping into one of the waterways.

Barclay jogged back to the manor. The idea of something happening to Tatiana was too much to bear. He must find her.