When she left the room, the cat came with her. She looked down. aI thought I was the enemy.a The cat merely waited. Perhaps the clever animal had decided she was the key to Hawk. It would be nice if true.

The Somerford Court gardens were pleasant, though rather formal. She crossed a lawn and wandered down a yew-lined path, greeted by a gardener busy keeping the hedges trim. It was a warm but heavy evening. Even the birds were quiet. Apart from the snick, snick, snick of the gardeneras shears, it was soundless.

She came to a round fishpond dotted with water lilies and sat on the stone edge to trail her hand in the water.

A fat carp came to nibble, then swam away, disappointed. Jetta crouched on the rim, also disappointed.

No food.

No fortune.

Her slightly inebriated mind didnat want to focus, not even on talking over her problem with herself.

She looked around, but nothing offered wisdom or inspiration. The pond sat in the middle of a hedge-lined square, with four neat flower beds set with bushes in the center and lined with low white flowers. It struck her as amusing that Hawk of the neatly folded note had the lush, willful garden, while Con owned such precision.

Both had been formed by previous generations, however.

Each side of the square hedge had an opening leading to another path. None of them invited.

Then a figure crossed over one of those paths. A maid in dark clothing with a large bundle. And Jetta rose to hiss.

Clarissa looked at the cat. aAnother rival for Hawkas affections?a But the cat was simply twitching its tail restlessly.

Clarissa frowned at it. aNow you have me twitchy.a She scooped it up and went down the path to catch another glimpse. The woman was far ahead, going briskly about her business, which was probably to take laundry to the village. Jetta gave another, almost huffy, hiss; the woman turned right and was out of sight.

Clarissa turned back toward the house, but something about the woman was on her mind now. She hurried in a direction that should provide another view, giving thanks for the straight lines of the garden. She came to the abrupt end of the garden, with countryside before her.

The woman was already across a pasture and climbing a stile, bundle under her arm, to follow a footpath along the edge of a harvested field toward the village. It wasnat a servant. It was that Mrs. Rowland.

aStill donat approve?a she muttered to the tense cat. aMisfortune turns some people miserable, you know. And see, she has to take in laundry to put food on the table.a Or she might be stealing. An unfair thought about the poor woman, whoad shown no sign of furtiveness, but Clarissa decided she had to tell someone. She turned back to the now rather distant house.

Somerford Court was a rambling place, and when she eventually entered, she found herself near the kitchens. She stopped in there, faced by half a dozen female servants who didnat know who she was, and feeling very foolish.

aIam Miss Greystone. A guest.a Then Jetta leaped down and was immediately the center of attention. aWonderful mouser, it is,a said the woman who was probably the cook, smiling. aCan we help you, miss?a Clarissa felt that she had been properly introduced. She almost didnat want to spoil it by saying anything, but she made herself speak.

aI just saw someone in the garden. I think it was Mrs. Rowland, from the village. Does she take in laundry, or mending, perhaps?a And what business is it of yours? she could imagine the servants saying.

aHer?a said the cook. aNot likely. She has been here now and then, to speak to her ladyshipa"the Dowager Lady Amleigh, that is. Begging, if you ask me, for all her airs. But not today, miss.a Protesting that would do no good. Perhaps she should speak to the dowager.

She left the kitchen and headed toward the front of the house. The Court, however, was the sort of rambling place built in stages, where no corridor went in a straight line. She was beginning to think shead have to call for help, but then she tentatively opened a door and found herself in the front hall.

Now what? Her alarm about Mrs. Rowland was beginning to seem very silly, but she decided she would find the dowager.

At the moment the house was as sleepy as the gardens, but shead seen a bellpull in the small room where shead talked with Nicholas. She was heading there when Nicholas came out of another room. aAh, your houras up,a he said, smiling.

If shead wanted to block her decisions from her mind, shead certainly succeeded. For the past little while she hadnat thought of Hawk at all. Perhaps that was why her mind had eagerly clutched the little mystery.

Now that the idea was back, it pushed out all others. aI still want to see him,a she said.

aVery wella"a aNicholas!a They both turned to see Eleanor racing down the stairs, white-faced. aI canat find Arabel!a Nicholas caught her in his arms. aShe likes to hidea"a aWeave searched her room. The ones nearby. Iave called.a She turned, searching the hall. aArabel! Arabel!a He pulled her back into his arms. aHush. She canat have come down here. Weall get everyone to search.a Con and Susan had emerged from the room where Nicholas had been. They immediately went off to set all the servants to the search, inside and out, and a message was sent to the village for extra people.

The Delaneys hurried upstairs, calling their daughteras name. Clarissa raced after them, caught up in the alarm at the thought of that sweet child perhaps stuck in a chest, or having tumbled down some stairs.

It was only upstairs, wondering helplessly where to look, that the thought struck. It was too ridiculous to bother Nicholas with, so she ran in search of Con, finding him in the front hall marshaling affairs. Quickly, she told him about Mrs. Rowland.

aYouare sure it was she?a aMostly,a she said, less sure by the moment. She almost said, aJetta hissed,a but that would make her seem a complete idiot.

aBut she was carrying something?a aI thought it was laundry. Or mending.a But then his eyes sharpened. aDidnat you mention her earlier? That she reminded you of someone?a aOf the fortune teller.a But then she inhaled with shock. aShe talked about Rogues. And she gave me Nicholasas initials!a She quickly sketched that encounter.

aWho could be interested in Clarissaas money and in the Rogues?a Clarissa turned to see Hawk there, hat, crop, and gloves in hand. Their eyes met in a sudden collision of need and problems.

Con said, aMadame Therese Bellaire.a But then he added, aItas insanity. Why would she even be in England?a He was already turning to run upstairs, however. aWe have to tell Nicholas. Dear Godaa Clarissa and Hawk ran after him.

They found the Delaneys opening and shutting drawers and armoires that had to have been searched before.

Con told them, and they both turned impossibly paler.

aTherese,a Nicholas said. aPlease, God, no.a Eleanor clutched his arm, and then they were wrapped with each other. Clarissa remembered that Madame Bellaire was the woman who had gathered the money, then lost it to Deveril. Shead thought when Nicholas told her that there was more to the story.

If only she had pursued. Or done something.

aWe have to follow it up,a said Nicholas, coming back to life. To Clarissa he said, aWhich way did you see her go?a aDown to the village.a She described it exactly.

Before she could say she was sorry, Hawk said, aThat path splits three ways. And I doubt she took the village one. She moved her whole household out at crack of dawn.a aWhere?a Nicholas asked.

aNo one knows, and we wonat until Old Matt returns to say where he took his cartload. Madame Mystique must have some base in Brighton, but thereas no saying sheas returned there. If it is she.a He added, looking at Clarissa, aFortune tellers can be uncanny.a aI know! Iam not sure of anything.a Clarissa could almost feel Nicholasas need to rush off, but he looked at Hawk. aIam in no state to think, Hawkinville. I gather this is your forte. Will you take command?a Clarissa saw a touch of color on Hawkas cheeks. She remembered then that he and Nicholas could be seen as on opposite sides in respect to her. All that was unimportant now.

aOf course,a Hawk, said. aIam sure you want to do something, however. Why not follow the route Clarissa described? Look for clues or people who saw the woman. Take a couple of Conas grooms to follow other routes when it splits.a Nicholas hugged his wife and left. Susan went to hold Eleanoras hand.

Hawk turned to Con. aIad like you to head for Brighton by the most direct route, looking for the Frenchwoman or Old Matt. If you get there without a trace, find Madame Mystiqueas establishment and check it out. Take a couple of armed groomsa"and be careful.a aAye-aye, sir,a said Con ironically, but without resentment, and hurried out.

The salute brought a slight smile to Hawkas lips.

aShouldnat someone check Mrs. Rowlandas place here?a Clarissa asked.

aYes, Iall do that. It wonat take long, and it needs a careful eye. Iall see if my father knows anything about the woman, too. He was mightily upset to hear of her leaving.a He turned to go, but Clarissa grabbed his sleeve. She wasnat sure what to say except that she had to say something. aFind her.a He looked at her with deep darkness, then touched her cheek. aIf it is humanly possiblea"a Then in a black streak, Jetta leaped in to sit on his boots, as if trying to pin him down. Clarissa wondered for a mad moment whether the cat knew he was going into danger. He picked it up and moved it, and strode out. After a shake, Jetta strode after him. There was no other word for it. Clarissa felt as if he had a guard.

But then she turned back and saw Eleanoras face. aIam sorry. I should have gone after her.a But Eleanor shook her head. aShe would have killed you. Or taken you with her if she could.a aThen I should have raised the alarm! Immediately.a aWhy?a Eleanor had lost all that placid calm, but she came to take Clarissaas hands. aWhy should you imagine anything so extreme? Life would be impossible if we all jumped to such conclusions every time we saw something out of the ordinary.a aBut,a Clarissa said bitterly, aI should have learned from experience. Everyone who has anything to do with me ends up in disaster.a Eleanor gathered her into her arms. aNo, no, my dear. Everyone who has anything to do with Therese Bellaire ends up in disaster. Really,a she added, with a touch of unsteady humor, aNapoleon would have been well advised to wring her neck.a

Chapter Twenty-eight.

The women continued the search for a whilea"Clarissa even ran out to the fish pond in case the child had escaped the house and drowneda"but no oneas heart was in it. They were all sure that Arabel had been stolen away.

Clarissa took a moment in the garden to let out her tears, and she felt better for it, if drained. But, oh, the thought of that sweet, trusting infant, who seemed innocent of anything but adoring kindness, in the hands of aMrs. Rowlanda! If only shead not acted sensibly for once. If only shead been impetuous, and pursued. Perhaps she might at least be with the child and able to protect and comfort her.

The only aif onlya that mattered now, however, was if only she could do something to speed up the childas safe return.

She returned to the house and discovered that Hawk also had returned and taken over Conas study for what could only be called a command post. She entered to find that head set the women to work, even the dowager and Conas sister.

A map was spread on the desk, and Hawk was studying paths and roads under the eye of a watchful cat. Eleanor was taking notes and seemed much steadier. Everyone else seemed to be drawing. Clarissa soon gathered that they were drawing rough sketches of routes, with churches, houses, streams, and such as markers.

She was given a piece of paper, and Eleanor read off some details for her.

aWeare going to send out riders along all these routes,a Eleanor said. aIt will cover everything from here to a five-mile radius.a She glanced at Hawk. aHe is very meticulous, isnat he?a Clarissa looked at him too. aHe has that reputation.a She couldnat help adoring him for his control and discipline. Knowing him, she realized that inside he was probably as achingly worried and anxious as they all were, but he was intent on his goal. Rescue.

He said something to Eleanor, looking up, and his eyes found Clarissa. Something flashed therea"a need, she hopeda"but immediately it was controlled. aThe Henfield road goes through two tollgates,a he said to Eleanor. aThe second should be far enough. The river blocks any roundabout route. Who has that one?a Eleanor looked at her list. aSusan.a She went to relay the instructions to Susan, who was using the deep windowsill to work on.

Then Nicholas returned, looking exhausted but better somehow for racing around. She realized that Hawk had sent him for exactly that reason, and had probably put Eleanor to work to help her, too. So many threads in his fingers, each one to be done perfectly, because failure was impossible.

Then the maps were finished, the waiting grooms summoned, instructed with crisp precision, and sent off.

aThey can be back within the hour,a said Hawk, but he glanced out of the window at the overcast sky. aIf the weather holds.a He looked at Nicholas. aThe woman may have gone to Brighton, but it might be too obvious. What do you want to do?a aRide hell-bent for Brighton, of course,a said Nicholas. aOr to London. Or to the Styx to bargain with Charona"a He stopped himself. aWe will wait until the riders return, and hope thereas a clear path. It would be worse, after all, to go in the wrong direction entirely.a aThen we must eat,a Hawk said. aSusan?a Susan left, and everyone moved restlessly, waiting for something that could not come for a while.

aIf Con finds anything along the road,a Hawk said, aheall send back word. Whatas the woman like? From all Iave heard of her, devious but not stupid.a Nicholas rubbed his hands over his face. aNo, not stupid. But she can be foolish. She prides herself on her arcane plans, but then gets lost in them. Certainly following a straight line is unlikely to find her. Youare going about it the right way. Spin a web.a Now that the immediate work was done, Eleanor Delaney had sunk into a chair, staring into nowhere. Nicholas went to her.

Clarissa turned to look out of the window. Evening was beginning to mute the day. Realistically speaking, it was no more terrible for the child to be in the hands of a madwoman at night, but it felt as though it was.

Hawk came to stand nearby. She knew it even before she looked.

aIs she mad?a she asked.

aProbably not. But thereas a kind of madness that thinks only of itself. All controls to do with decency or humanity are lost, and only the desires and pleasures of the person matter. I suspect she is that sort of woman. What do you think?a aI think of her with her children.a He put out a hand to her, then stopped it, lowered it. She did not protest. There was no place in this for them, for the tangles and dilemmas still to be sorted out.

Susan returned, followed by maids with trays holding tea, wine, and plates of hastily made sandwiches. Certainly, thought Clarissa, sitting down to dinner would be macabre. The maids left, and everyone was busy for a moment, pouring, passing, taking plates. But then stillness settled.

aEat,a Hawk said. aYou can get it down if you try, and strength is needed. And donat get drunk.a After a moment, Nicholas put down his wineglass and picked up a sandwich. Eleanor was drinking tea, but she started to eat too.

Hawk ate two sandwiches, but he seemed to be thinking throughout the meal. Then he said, aThe most likely situation is that the Bellaire woman has taken the child to hold for ransom. I gather she has reason of sorts to think that Clarissaas money is hers. My father was under the illusion that she was going to marry him as soon as she was widowed. No illusion, actually. That doubtless was her plan once he had the money. I suspect I was her hunting dog, sent to sniff out the villains. An interesting mind. I assume that my elopement told her the plan was deada"so we have this.a Nicholas put down his food. aBut we only arrived yesterday. This has to have been an impulse. Had she no other device? It is unlike her.a aShe prefers multiple plans?a aShe adores them.a aMrs. Rowland had two children,a Hawk said, aa boy and a girl. Are they hers?a Nicholas laughed. aTherese? Impossible to imagine, and two years ago she boasted of the perfection of her body, unmarked by birth. Good God, has she kidnapped others?a aOr adopted, to be fair. Sheas been here for months with them. A strange ploy if she took them for money. No,a Hawk said.

He picked up Jetta and stroked the cat as if it helped him think. aI suspect the children were simply disguise. Perhaps poor Rowland was too. Intriguing, really. She must have been left in a very difficult situation after Waterloo. Stranded in Belgium, without her powerful protectors, and thinking of her money in England. If she found a wounded officer and persuaded him to claim her as his common-law wifea"perhaps in exchange for nursing hima"and acquired a couple of the stray orphans that always wander after battle, she would have an excellent cover for a Frenchwoman to enter England.a aYou sound as if youare falling under her spell.a Hawk looked at Nicholas. aIall wring her neck if need be. Itas often necessary to enter into the mind of villains to decide what they will do. And villains rarely see themselves that way. They see themselves as clever, as entitled to what they seize, as justified in the evil that they do. Youare right about her having some other plan. Knowing what it is would be useful, but the main point is that she will demand money. A great deal of money and in short order. Can you raise it?a Clarissa stood. aI wish I could give her all of mine! I donat want it. She was right when she said it was poisoned.a aBut you canat get it in a day or two,a Hawk said, as if the money was of no importance to him. aArden offered me twenty thousand, so I assume he can put his hands on that quickly.a aThe Rogues,a said Nicholas, suddenly alert.

But then pounding feet had them all turning to the door. It burst open, and a panting groom raced in. He looked around the crowded room in confusion. aSirs, letter from his lordship!a Hawk took it and opened it. It contained another sealed paper. aShe went through the Preston toll,a he said, reading. aA woman fitting her description in a fast carriage. Bold. And, even bolder,a he added. He looked at Nicholas. aThe woman paid the tollkeeper to give this letter to anyone who asked.a He held it out. aItas addressed to you, but of course Con read it.a Nicholas was already reading. aShe wants a hundred thousand pounds before eight oaclock tomorrow evening.a He gave it to Eleanor.

aImpossible,a gasped the dowager Lady Amleigh.

aAnd she has her other string,a Nicholas carried on, looking strangely stunned. aShe claims to have Dare.a Clarissa looked around in confusion. Hawk said, aItas not possiblea"a But then he breathed, aLieutenant Rowland.a He cursed, which, given the presence of ladies, showed how deeply shocked he was.

aShe wouldnat lie,a Nicholas said. aIt has to be true. Pray God it doesnat make Con do something wild. We have to go.a aYes, of course.a But Hawk held up a hand. aWhat of the money? We have to think now how to raise it.a But then he looked at Nicholas. aIf itas Dare, heas in bad shape. Van saw him briefly. He thought he was dying.a aWe get him and Arabel back,a said Nicholas flatly. aBy all means, letas think how to get the money. If Therese can be easily found in Brighton, Con and Vandeimen will do it.a Hawk sat at the desk and put a clean sheet of paper in front of him. aYou have all I can raise, but itas precious little, even with jewels included. Ardenas twenty thousand, of course.a Clarissa bit her lip, thinking what that meant for Hawk in the Vale, but there was no choice.

The dowager suddenly stood and took off her rings and a brooch, putting them on the desk. aIall go and get my jewel box.a Conas wife and sister did the same. Eleanor said, aEverything I have with me, of course. But most is back in Somerset. Thereas not time, is there?a Nicholas took her hand. aWe can try. But there are those closer. Arden,a he said to Hawk. aHeas good for more. Beth has diamonds worth a good part of the amount.a Clarissa had seen Bethas diamonds. They were part of the ducal estate and not really Lord Ardenas to give, but she knew he would.

aLeanderas probably in Somerset, but weall send to his Sussex estate in case. Francis. Halas in Brighton, but he has little. I think Stephenas in London. If there are ways of raising money, heall find it. We have to contact the Yeovils too.a aDareas parents?a Hawk said. aYes, of course. Though he may not be a pretty sight.a aIf heas alive, do you think that matters?a aNo.a Hawk added the name.

The two Lady Amleighs and Helen Somerford returned and put jewel boxes on the table, Clarissa didnat think the contents would be worth a vast sum, but they would be treasured pieces given up in this cause.

aI have some jewelry in Brighton lent me by the Duke of Belcraven,a she said. aYou can have that. When I come of age,a she added firmly, aDeverilas money will go to repay all these debts. I am determined on it.a She said it looking at Hawk, afraid of objection, but he nodded. aI hope to get through this without paying a penny, and with the woman locked up for her crimes.a aNot wise.a They all looked at Nicholas. aWe really donat want Therese on trial. She knows or guesses far too much. Iam sure sheas counting on that. Of course, if she harms Arabel in any way, I will kill her. I hope sheas counting on that, too.a The first grooms began to return with their pointless reports on their routes. They were sent to eat while Nicholas wrote letters to the Rogues and the Yeovils, asking for the money and jewels, and a message to his home in Somerset instructing a trusted servant to bring the contents of his safe.

Clarissa couldnat help thinking that some lucky highwaymen might make the strike of their lives.

aWhere shall we ask that it be sent?a Nicholas asked.

After a moment, Hawk said, aVanas house in Brighton,a and gave the address. Once the letters were on their way, he said, aAnd now we can go. Sheas gone to ground in Brighton, but by God, there has to be a way to find her.a Clarissa, Eleanor, and Susan jammed into the Amleigh phaeton, Eleanor driving, the gentlemen on horseback. Again Jetta insisted on riding with Hawk, sitting upright in front of him.

aSheall fall off at speed,a Clarissa said.

aI doubt it,a said Nicholas, his horse sidling impatiently, doubtless a reflection of the rider. aThe Chinese trained cats to ride into war exactly like that. They would leap at opponents and blind them.a Clarissa shivered at the thought, but all in all, the more protectors Hawk had, the better.

Then they were off. Five grooms not needed for other duties rode with them. Heads turned as the speeding cavalcade whipped past. Clarissa could only think of all the people with small problems, all the parents whose children were safe.

In a short while Nicholas drew alongside to tell Eleanor he was riding ahead, and she gave him her blessing.

aIf I were any rider at all, Iad go with him. It is so intolerable not to be racing to do something, no matter how futile.a She cracked her whip, and the horses picked up pace as the sun set sulkily behind heavy clouds.

Chapter Twenty-nine.

Brighton. Clarissa remembered entering Brighton a short while before, full of nerves and hope. How different now, with so much at stake. How trivial all her earlier anxieties seemed. The past hours of stress had scoured away her uncertainties about Hawk. In this uncertain world, what did twenty, forty, sixty years matter?

Carpe diem, for indeed, one could not know what the morrow would bring.

The sunlight had almost gone by the time they entered Lord Vandeimenas house, finding the Vandeimens there, along with Con and Nicholas. Con seemed afire with new purpose, and it was all to do with Lord Darius.

aMadame Mystique has a house on Ship Street,a he said, abut it seems deserted. I hesitated to break in.a aGood,a Hawk said. aWe canat be precipitous. We risk triggering her to do something undesirable. No sign of Old Matt?a Clarissa had to think who that was. Oh, the carter who had transported Lieutenant Rowland and the children.

No, she corrected. Head transported Lord Darius Debenham and the poor waifs picked up from who-knew-where and subjected to Therese Bellaireas cold heart for a year. She desperately regretted returning the children, but couldnat see how she and Hawk could have done anything else.

aNot on the road,a Con said. aIave sent the grooms to check on all the inns and taverns. He likes a drink. But how do we search all Brighton?a aMeticulously,a said Hawk with a hint of a self-mocking smile.

aWe donat have enough people to comb thousands of households!a There was a rap on the door and they all turned. They were all, Clarissa realized, still standing in the narrow hall.

The nearest person opened the doora"Susan.

Blanche and Major Beaumont came in. Blanche went straight to Eleanor and put a bundle in her hands. aLucienas necklace is the most valuable piece, but Iave put in some stage trumpery too. Perhaps she wonat have time to study it.a aGood idea,a said Nicholas. aMaria, which jewelers here are most likely to keep paste for people to wear?a Everyone flowed into the front parlor and soon Maria had a list, but it was too late to visit jewelers today.

aWe have to do something,a said Eleanor fiercely, desperately. aDear heaven, if sheas awake, she will be so frightened!a Nicholas went to her, but he was haggard with the same need.

aWe try to find her,a Hawk said steadily. aMaria, may I have some of your servants?a aOf course! Which ones?a aA few who are Brighton born and bred.a She hurried out and soon returned with a maid, a sturdy young man, and a frightened-looking boy, whose eyes seemed to be trying to go all ways at once.