Page 25 of Winterset

Oliver

I slept better than I had in weeks. There had been no noises in the walls, no pianoforte playing, nothing. All was silent and still.

It was over.

There would be no more restless nights, no more tasteless meals, no more hats filled with soil. I was the master of this house now.

When I’d gone to bed last night, I’d thought about all the pranks I’d play on her, but now that it was morning, none of that seemed so appealing.

I’d had my bit of fun with her by blocking the passageway entrances and viewing the tapestry behind which I was sure she stood last night.

All I wanted now was to meet Miss Lockwood.

A thrill ran through me at the prospect of us standing face-to-face without a tapestry between us.

I slipped out of bed and rang for Charlie. Knowing Miss Lockwood would likely be watching me from the shadows again today, I wanted to look my best. A fresh shave. My finest clothes. I would have worn my best hat, but she’d made that quite impossible.

A smile tugged at my mouth.

I’d never met a lady with such ... tenacity. I could hardly wait.

But an hour later, when I went downstairs, there was no trace of her; the house was quiet, the furniture was in its proper place, and the curtains were neatly drawn.

Where was she?

I went to the kitchen to inquire of Mrs. Owensby, but she wasn’t there either.

I called for Bexley, but he had disappeared too.

I walked the house looking for them, but they weren’t in the drawing room, the dining hall, or the library.

My study, too, was empty. As was the gallery, all four bedchambers, and the attic.

A pit formed in my stomach.

Were they gone ?

Had they alighted in the night and left all behind?

Mrs. Owensby had said Miss Lockwood had nowhere else to go, no family or friends with whom she could seek refuge. Mrs. Owensby, Bexley, and Winterset were all Miss Lockwood had.

Despite my threat of punishment, Mrs. Owensby had likely told Miss Lockwood I’d discovered her at the first opportunity. Probably as soon as I’d retired to bed last night. Hence, the reason for my peaceful night’s sleep.

My throat tightened.

What had I done?

Mrs. Owensby believed Miss Lockwood’s life was in danger if she left Winterset, and I’d pulled pranks on the poor lady. My ultimate goal was to meet Miss Lockwood, but I’d gone about it all wrong. I should have attempted to coax her from the shadows, not frighten her from them.

Devil take me!

Miss Lockwood could be in danger.

Where would they have gone? How would they have gone?

Could they have taken my horses? The horses would provide them with a speedy getaway and prevent me from following after them. I ran to the stables and stopped short when I saw Bexley grooming my mount. If they’d fled, they had not taken my horse or Bexley.

Two women traveling without protection? I could not even bear to think about what harm might befall them. And I would be at fault.

“Where is Mrs. Owensby?” I asked curtly.

Bexley looked up from his task in surprise and gave a hasty bow in greeting. “Town, I’d say. She normally shops for provisions on Monday morning.”

I narrowed my gaze on him. I thought Mrs. Owensby would have told him I’d discovered Miss Lockwood. But he seemed none the wiser. “Did you see her this morning?” I asked.

Bexley thought for a moment. “No, sir. But I believe she laid out your breakfast tray for Charlie to take to you this morning.”

A biscuit with butter and jam and an apple. Something she easily could have laid out the night before.

“Is there something amiss, sir?” Bexley asked.

I opened my mouth to explain that they were missing but closed it.

Could I trust Bexley? Did he know about Miss Lockwood?

Or was it only Mrs. Owensby who was protecting and hiding her?

I’d promised Mrs. Owensby just yesterday that I wouldn’t tell anyone about Miss Lockwood’s existence.

If Bexley didn’t know they were missing, there was likely a good reason.

“No,” I said finally. “Nothing is amiss. I only wished for something else to eat. You may go about your work,” I said and left the stables.

It didn’t make sense. Miss Lockwood was smart; Mrs. Owensby too. They had to know their chances of survival were better here with me than outside Winterset alone.

They must still be here. If Bexley was to be believed, Mrs. Owensby would return from town later today. If not, I would know soon.

I needed only to be patient.

Attempting to distract myself, I went about my work, making plans for Winterset’s repairs. Hours passed, and when I’d nearly given up hope of ever seeing Mrs. Owensby or meeting Miss Lockwood, Mrs. Owensby appeared at the servants’ gate, her cart full of provisions.

I hurried outside. “Where is she?” I asked. “Where is Miss Lockwood?”

Mrs. Owensby eyes widened at the mention of her ward’s name, and she hurried me inside the kitchen.

“Where is Miss Lockwood?” I asked again.

“I should think she is in the attic.”

“She is not,” I said.

Her brow furrowed in surprise, and then she moved more quickly than I thought her capable up the servants’ staircase to Miss Lockwood’s bedchamber in the attic. She took in the room, then turned to me.

“Kate would not leave Winterset,” she insisted.

“All evidence supports the contrary.” I wanted to ride out in search of Miss Lockwood and offer her my protection, as I should have done last night, but where would I search?

She’d evaded my discovery in this one small house.

I had no hope of finding her in a large country.

I needed Mrs. Owensby’s help. “I beg of you, Mrs. Owensby, if you know anything , you must tell me. She could be in danger. I only want to help.”

“I know nothing, Mr. Jennings. I said nothing.”

“Then how do you explain her sudden disappearance?” I asked.

“I would ask you the same question.”

“You think I gave my knowledge of her away?”

“I don’t know, sir. But I do know Kate, and she would not leave Winterset willingly.”

I sank to the edge of the bed, bracing my elbows on my knees, and ran my hands through my hair. “Does Bexley know about Miss Lockwood’s hiding here?” I looked up at her.

“Of course he does,” she said.

“And you trust him?”

“I do, sir. With my life. Kate trusts him too.”

“So where is she, then? I have searched everywhere within these walls.”

“I don’t know, but the more earnestly you search, the more ardently she’ll hide. Kate is quite stubborn.”

“I am beginning to see that,” I mumbled to myself. “So I should let her continue hiding, then?” Ludicrous.

“No, sir. I am only saying that Kate has never liked being forced to do anything. I would think that includes coming out of hiding. You could entice her to reveal herself.”

“How would I do that?” I laughed humorlessly. “Should I invite her to dinner?”

“It couldn’t hurt.”

I’d been jesting, but it wasn’t the worst idea in the world. If I treated her as my guest instead of an intruder, perhaps she would reveal herself to me. It was worth a try.

“All right, Mrs. Owensby. We will do as you say.” I instructed her to air out the bedchambers and put fresh linens on every bed. A guest could not sleep in the attic, after all. For dinner, I requested that she cook Miss Lockwood’s favorite foods and lay an extra place setting on the table.

She did as I said, but Miss Lockwood did not join me that night.

After dinner, I asked about Miss Lockwood’s favorite song and played the piece on the pianoforte. It was a soothing serenade that I hoped she would find inviting. But still, she made no appearance.

And as I lay in bed that night, surrounded by all that oppressive silence, I couldn’t help feeling that Winterset had lost its soul.