aIam sorry about the ride,a the duke said after the two of them had exchanged morning greetings. aHave a seat. Can I offer you a drink?a He glanced toward the half-open door leading to the music room.

aI have just had breakfast,a Lord Brocklehurst said, sinking into the chair Fleur had occupied a few evenings before and waving a dismissive hand at the offer of a drink. aDevilish weather, Ridgeway. The ladies will be climbing the walls out of boredom. They love to stroll.a aThey must do so in the gallery,a his grace said. aI understand you are planning to deprive me of my governess, Brocklehurst.a The otheras eyes became wary. He laughed. aMiss Hamilton is a very attractive lady,a he said.

aIt is my understanding that the two of you have an unofficial betrothal,a the duke said. aYou are a fortunate man.a Lord Brocklehurst was silent for a moment. aShe has told you this?a he asked.

The duke took the chair opposite his companionas and smiled. aI hope I have not got her into trouble with you by speaking up,a he said. aBut I am sure she has not been announcing the news to everyone. She probably thought that as her employer I should be given some notice of her leaving. She will be going with you, I believe?a Lord Brocklehurst relaxed back in his chair and returned the dukeas smile. aI am not at all annoyed at her telling you,a he said. aI wished to announce our betrothal officially here, but she has been reluctant. The fact that she is a servant has made her shy.a aAh,a the duke said, resting his elbows on the arms of the chair and steepling his fingers, ait is true, then. Congratulations are in order. When are the nuptials to be?a aThank you,a Lord Brocklehurst said. aAs soon as possible after we leave here. I hope you will not be too greatly inconvenienced, Ridgeway.a The duke shrugged. aMiss Bradshaw has given me a weekas notice,a he said.

The other nodded, and then his glance sharpened. aShe has told you that she has been living here under an assumed name?a he said.

The duke inclined his head. aIf the wedding is to be immediate,a he said, ayou must have decided not to press charges. Of course, when the charges are theft and murder, the decision is not a justiceas to make. What you must have decided is that the death was not a murder and the removal of the jewels not a theft. Am I right?a aWhat has Isabella been saying to you?a Lord Brocklehurst was sitting up in his chair and gripping the arms.

aNothing at all,a his grace said, crossing one booted leg over the other. aNot even anything about marrying you. I have another source of information.a Lord Brocklehurst was frowning. aWhat is going on here, pray?a he asked.

aIt seems that I have employed a governess who is not who she claims to be,a the duke said, aand who may or may not be a murderer and who may or may not be a thief. My daughteras safety and well-being are at stake. I wish to find out some facts from you, Brocklehurst, if I may. I need your assistance.a The other sat back in his chair again. aPerhaps I could have that drink after all,a he said.

The duke got to his feet and crossed the room. aIs Miss Bradshaw a thief?a he asked.

aI donat know where you got your information,a Lord Brocklehurst said, abut you probably know that some of my motheras jewels were found in a trunk that Isabella was about to take from the house. They were the more costly jewels, which my mother had not taken to London with her.a aInside the trunk,a the duke said. aHow did she steal them? If they were so costly, were they not kept very carefully under lock and key? To whom did your mother entrust the key when she left?a aTo me, of course,a the other said. aBut Isabella has lived in the house all her life. She must have known where the jewels were kept. It is altogether possible that she had a key.a aThere was more than one, then?a Lord Brocklehurst shrugged.

aWas Miss Bradshaw with her trunk until the moment of discovery?a his grace asked.

aThe trunk was opened and the jewels discovered after she had run away,a Lord Brocklehurst said.

aAnd where was the trunk while she was speaking with you and after she ran away, before someone decided to open it?a the duke asked.

aIt was in the gig she planned to take, and then taken back to her room,a the other said.

aI see.a His grace handed him his drink and took his seat again. He had not poured a glass for himself. aHow many people would have had access to that trunk after Miss Bradshaw last saw it? Was it locked, by the way?a Lord Brocklehurst was frowning again. aThis sounds remarkably like an interrogation, Ridgeway,a he said.

aMy servants must be above reproach,a his grace said, amy daughteras governess, in particular. Is there any possibility that the jewels might have been planted on her?a aBut who would have a motive for doing such a thing?a Lord Brocklehurst asked.

The duke rubbed his chin. aI see your point,a he said. aBut Miss Bradshaw herself had a motive, of course. You had refused to allow her to marry the local curate, I believe, and she was not to come into her fortune for at least another two years. She was eloping presumably without a penny to her name.a aYour source is well-informed,a Lord Brocklehurst said.

aYes,a his grace agreed. aMy sources usually are if I pay them any heed. Tell me about that death. Was it murder?a aShe was threatening to kill me,a Lord Brocklehurst said. aShe was beside herself with anger. Both my valet and I were concerned for her. He tried to prevent her from hurting herself, but she pushed him and killed him. He would not have fallen alone. I believe her action constitutes murder.a aThere is no chance that she misunderstood?a his grace asked. aShe was, I believe, alone in the house with you, apart from the servants. In that particular room she was alone with two men. Could she have believed that you meant her mischief?a Lord Brocklehurst laughed. aIsabella has lived as one of my family since she was a child,a he said. aShe is like a daughter to my mother, like a sister to me. Except that she has come to mean more than a sister could. She has been aware of my regard for her for a long time and aware of my hope that she would be my bride. There was no chance of a misunderstanding. Unfortunately I am her guardian and had been forced on that day to the painful task of thwarting her will when it would have led her to unhappiness.a aI see,a the duke said. aIf she threatened to kill you, then, it would seem that the killing was premeditated, even though in the event she killed the wrong man. Yes, murder it is. You are quite right. A capital offense. Miss Bradshaw, it seems, is destined to hang.a Lord Brocklehurst took a sip of his drink and said nothing.

aYou came here, presumably, to take her away to prison where she belongs,a his grace said. aBut one thing puzzles me. If she is a murderer and therefore a dangerous criminal, why did you not apprehend her as soon as you arrived, or at least take me aside to warn me of what a desperate fugitive I was harboring?a Lord Brocklehurst set his drink down carefully on the table beside him. aI came as your brotheras guest,a he said. aThere were other guests in residence. Naturally, Ridgeway, I did not wish to alarm everyone. I was hoping to take her away without any fuss or scandal at all.a aAnd in the meantime,a his grace said, ashe might have murdered my daughter and killed us all in our beds.a aI do not believe she is deranged,a Lord Brocklehurst said.

aOnly backed into a corner,a his grace said, aknowing that you have found her and are merely biding your time. From my experience of hunting, Brocklehurst, I would have to say that a cornered animal is the most dangerous animal. Of course, you must really believe what you say. You must consider Miss Bradshaw a great deal less than dangerous if you are prepared to marry her despite all. Despite the fact that she threatened your life and then killed your valet.a aI have never had any intention of marrying her,a Lord Brocklehurst said. aAt least not since she has revealed herself for what she is.a The duke frowned. aPardon me,a he said. aDid I mishear you a few minutes ago?a aI did not quite know what you knew or had discovered,a Lord Brocklehurst said. aI thought it wise to agree with what you said until I knew what exactly you were trying to say to me. But how could I seriously consider marriage with a woman who would steal from my own mother and kill my man because she was in a passion with me?a aHow could you, indeed?a the duke said. aBut do you not think a judge would consider the events of the past days and your admission of a few minutes ago rather strange, Brocklehurst? Do you not think that he might believe you have been offering Miss Bradshaw a deala"a change in your testimony in exchange for her favors?a Lord Brocklehurst was on his feet. aThat is a damnable suggestion, Ridgeway,a he said. aWhen I tell the facts as they were, no judge or jury would hesitate to convict her.a aYou will watch the hanging, of course,a his grace said. aWill you enjoy watching the noose being slipped over her head and tightened beneath her ear? Will you enjoy seeing her take the final drop?a Lord Brocklehurstas hands were in fists at his sides. aI loved her,a he said. aI suppose I still do. Unfortunately, justice must be done.a aOh, I hope so,a the duke said, his eyes narrowing. aI shall certainly be testifying at the trial, Brocklehurst.a aI understand she is your mistress,a the other said. aOnce that fact has been established, I donat believe your testimony would be worth a great deal. So your concern is not, after all, for your daughter, Ridgeway, but for your personal comfort. I might have known it. And for her sake you are prepared to make up lies about my intentions toward her.a aHoughton,a his grace said, scarcely raising his voice, awould you fetch me a brandy, my dear fellow? I am too lazy to get to my feet again.a Lord Brocklehurst merely stared as the dukeas secretary appeared through the half-open door into the music room and proceeded to pour a drink for his employer.

aYou made notes, I trust?a his grace said, taking his drink. aThough your memory is quite excellent even without.a aIt is all written down, your grace,a Peter Houghton said.

aThank you,a the duke said. aI shall not detain you, Houghton. You will wish to return to your chair.a His secretary disappeared from the room again.

aThe rain makes for a thoroughly gloomy day,a his grace said. aBut in one way it has been a blessing in disguise. I do not know where I would have hidden a witness if we had taken that ride, Brocklehurst. Now, tampering with justice is, I believe, an offense. And that, of course, is an overly courteous way of saying that I know it is an offense. What are we going to do about it?a aWe?a Lord Brocklehurst seemed finally to have pulled himself together. aWhat are we going to do about it? Isabella is a murderer. I am taking her back for trial.a aYes,a the duke said, aI tend to agree that there is a case against her. She pushed a man and he died. It would appear to be murder. And jewels were found in her trunk. I think that indeed she must be taken back for trial, Brocklehurst. Not by you alone. I shall see that she is suitably accompanied. And I shall myself attend the trial. I shall ask to testify if I deem it necessary to do so.a aSo you would tamper with justice too?a Lord Brocklehurst said, sneering for the first time. aYou are trying to blackmail me, Ridgeway?a aNot at all,a his grace said. aI wish you to tell the absolute truth of what happened. But if the absolute truth is that Miss Bradshaw stole your motheras jewels and deliberately killed your valet, then I believe a judge and jury would be most interested in hearing the details of your coming here as a guest and spending some time socially with the woman you came to arrest. They would doubtless be interested to know that you planned to marry her aas soon as possible.a I believe those were your exact words. Am I right, Houghton?a There was a short pause. aYes, your grace,a Peter Houghtonas voice said from the other side of the door to the music room.

aMiss Bradshaw will probably still hang,a his grace said. aBut nasty things might happen to you too, Brocklehurst. I am not sure what. I am not as knowledgeable about the law as I suppose I should be as a justice of the peace. Houghton could doubtless discover what your punishment is likely to be. He is quite invaluable as a, ah, source. Would you like him to find out for you?a Lord Brocklehurst pursed his lips.

aOf course,a the duke said, athe judge and jury might well acquit Miss Bradshaw on the assumption that the testimony of the only witness to the murder is thoroughly untrustworthy. Perhaps you would take the fall alonea"an unfortunate choice of words. I am not at all sure that the penalty for your crime is death. Indeed, I would guess that it is not. Transportation, maybe? But then, I am only guessing. We will leave it to Houghton to find out.a aI shall be gone from here within the hour,a Lord Brocklehurst said stiffly. aI shall not trouble you with my presence any further, Ridgeway.a aWithout Miss Bradshaw?a his grace said. aShall I see that she is brought to trial? Indeed, I believe I must. She has been accused of two capital crimes. For her own peace of mind she must be convicted or cleared. Or you must make some public statement explaining the error of your earlier accusations. You were, of course, distraught over her disobedience and the accidental death of your valet. One is prone to exaggerate under such circumstances. People will applaud your courage in making yourself look a little ridiculous in order to set matters straight.a aThe statement will be made,a Lord Brocklehurst said through his teeth.

aSplendid,a his grace said, getting to his feet finally. He had not touched one drop of his brandy. aI shall look for an official notice of your statement within the next week or two. You are recording all this too, are you, Houghton?a aYes, your grace,a the voice beyond the door said.

aAfter Miss Bradshawas name has been cleared,a his grace said, aI shall communicate with you again, Brocklehurst, to see what can be arranged for her comfort until her twenty-fifth birthday. But I need not detain you with a discussion of that point now. Good day to you. Have a pleasant journey. Do you go to Heron House?a aI have not decided and do not feel it necessary to share my plans with you anyway, Ridgeway,a Lord Brocklehurst said, making for the door.

aAh, quite so,a his grace said. He stood beside the chair and watched the other leave.

His shoulders visibly sagged when the door closed.

aCome in here, Houghton,a he said. aHave you ever known a more slimy fellow?a Peter Houghton, closing the music room door behind him as he entered the library, did not seem to think it necessary to reply.

aI was in fear and trembling,a his grace said, athat he would see the obvious route out of all his difficulties. It was glaring him in the face so dazzlingly for a whole minute that I am amazed it did not blind him. You saw it too, I presume? Indeed, doubtless you saw it before I did.a aHe might have explained that all his attempts to get Miss Hamil a er, Miss Bradshaw to marry him were a ruse to get her to go quietly to avoid scandal in the house,a Houghton said. aYes, your grace, I kept my eyes closed for all of half a minute waiting for him to see it. He will curse himself when he looks back and realizes how he could have wriggled out of your trap.a aKnowing you, Houghton,a the duke said, aI would guess that the notes you made are beautifully written and meticulously organized. But go over them, if you please. I donat believe we will ever need them, but I want them to be ready if we do.a aYes, your grace,a Peter Houghton said.

aIn the meanwhile,a his grace said, smiling, aI believe I shall go upstairs to relieve a ladyas mind of the heavy burden that has weighed it down for all of three months.a Peter Houghton did not reply as his master left the room, a spring actually in his step. Neither did he smile with amusement or sneer with scorn. He shook his head rather sadly. It was worse than he had thought. She was not his graceas ladybird after all. She was his love.

But his grace was an honorable man.

Houghton felt a deep pity for his employer.

FLEUR HAD JUST ENOUGH money to reach the market town twenty miles from Heron House. Twenty miles seemed a very long way still to go, especially with the weather chilly and unsettled. And a bundle that seemed heavier by the minute and an empty stomach did nothing to improve the prospect of a long walk.

But there was no alternative. She set out to walk the twenty miles. She was fortunate enough to be taken up by a farmer in an uncomfortable and foul-smelling cart for three or four miles. And all of seven miles from home she was recognized by another farmer driving a wagon and was taken right to the door of Heron House. She could only thank him most gratefully and hope that he was not expecting payment.

But then, she thought with a rueful smile as he turned his horsesa heads and made off without delay, perhaps his payment would be in the excitement of being the one to break the news in the village that she was home.

The servants clearly did not know quite what to do when she was admitted to the house. She took a deep breath and decided to take the initiative.

aI am fatigued, Chapman,a she told the butler, as if she had just come in from an afternoonas walk. aHave hot water for a bath sent to my room, if you please, and send Annie up to me.a aYes, Miss Bradshaw,a the butler said, looking at her rather as if she had two heads, Fleur thought. He spoke again as she turned away to climb the stairs. aAnnie is not with us any longer, Miss Isabella.a aShe is gone?a she said, turning back to him. aLord Brocklehurst dismissed her?a aShe had an offer of a place in Norfolk at the house where her sister works, Miss Isabella,a he said. aShe was sorry to leave.a aSend me one of the other maids, then,a Fleur said.

She had been looking forward to seeing Annie again, she thought, climbing the remaining stairs to her room and looking about at all the familiar objectsa"a part of her identity for so many years. It was almost a surprise to find that nothing had been removed from her room. Even the clothes that had been packed away in her trunk were back there. She need not have brought her new clothes from Willoughby Hall after all.

And she had wanted to talk with Annie, who had apparently been the one to discover the jewels in her trunk. Had the maid been alone when she found them? Had she gone running to Matthew with the news? Had Annie believed her guilty?

She would probably never be able to fill in those blanks in her knowledge now. Annie had gone to Norfolk. Fleur could not recall any mention of a sister in service there. It was probable that Matthew had dismissed her because she was Fleuras maid and no longer needed in the house.

It was strange to be back, to find everything so normal except that Cousin Caroline and Amelia and Matthew were from home. She had fled for her very life just three months before. And she supposed that soon she would be in fear of her life again. Someone would do something as soon as the shock of seeing her just walk back into her home had worn off. Someone would send for Matthew or do something else to detain her.

Matthew himself would doubtless come, once she was missed from Willoughby Hall. Indeed, perhaps he was not far behind her. Perhaps she would not have even the night to herself.

But she was in the only place she could be.

She bathed and washed her hair when water was brought, and put on one of her own dresses. She felt almost herself again as she brushed and styled her hair without the services of the maid who had been sent up to her.

She would not think of Matthew coming. She had a few things to do before he came. And she would not think at all of the recent past. She would not think of Lady Pamela and their days together. She would not think of the magnificent home she had come to think of almost as hers.

And she would not think of him. No, she would not.

But she thought of his dark hair and strong, harsh features, of the cruel scar that slashed across the left side of his face. She thought of his hands with their long, well-manicured fingersa"hands that she had so feared because they had touched her impersonally and intimately and had held her steady for the infliction of pain and degradation. But the same hands had held hers warmly and cupped her face and wiped away her tears.

She would not think of him. Or if she must, she would remember him telling her to remove her clothes and sitting down to watch the show. Or bent over her, watching as he took her virginity. Or telling her that she was a whore and was enjoying what he did to hera"but had he really said either of those things? Or had they been merely part of her nightmares?

She would not think of him. Or if she must, she would remember that he was a married man, that he had a beautiful wife and a daughter whom he dearly loved.

She would not think of him.

aCome in,a she called when someone knocked on the door of her dressing room.

It was a maid to inform her that she had visitors belowstairs.

Well, she thought, getting to her feet and squaring her shoulders. It seemed that she was not to have even that one night of peace. It was beginning already. Perhaps coming home had been the most foolish thing she had done in her life.

But she had had to come. She had had no choice short of losing herself.

The butler opened the door into the visitorsa salon for her and she stepped inside.

aIsabella!a Miriam Booth, small, rather plump, fair heavy hair in its usual rather untidy knot on top of her head, hurried toward her, both hands outstretched. aOh, Isabella, my dear, we just heard that you were home.a Tears blurred Fleuras vision as she was enfolded in her friendas armsa"but not before she had seen Daniel standing quietly before the fireplace, tall and blond and handsome in his black clerical garb.

aMiriam,a she said, her voice quite breaking out of control. aOh, how I have missed you.a THE DUKE OF RIDGEWAY KISSED HIS DAUGHTER and the puppy too when it was lifted up to him.

aNo classes this morning, Pamela?a he asked. aIs it a holiday because it is raining, perhaps?a She chuckled. aI am going to tell Miss Hamilton to take me down to the long gallery to skip with the ropes again,a she said, aand to look at the dark lady in the picture who is like me.a aTry asking,a his grace suggested. aYou are more likely to get what you want.a aMiss Hamilton must have had a very late night,a Mrs. Clement said disapprovingly. aShe has not appeared from her room yet this morning, your grace.a He frowned. aAnd no one had been to wake her?a he asked.

aI tapped on her door half an hour ago, your grace,a she said. aBut it is not my job to wake the governess.a aDo so now as a favor to me, if you will, Nanny,a he said. aPamela, is Tiny supposed to be dragging that blanket across the floor?a His daughter chuckled again. aNanny said she could because it is old,a she said. aLook, Papa.a And she pulled at one end of the blanket while the puppy tugged and strained at the other, growling with excitement. Lady Pamela giggled.

Mrs. Clement came bustling back into the nursery a couple of minutes later. aMiss Hamilton is not in her room, your grace,a she said. aAnd the bed is made up, though I know no maid has been in there this morning.a The duke glanced at the window and the rain beyond. aShe must have been delayed belowstairs,a he said.

There was consternation in the kitchen a few minutes later when the duke himself strode in from the direction of the servantsa stairs. Mrs. Laycock, he was informed, was busy with the household accounts in the office beside her sitting room.

aBut Miss Hamilton was not down for breakfast this morning, your grace,a she said in answer to his question. She had stood on his entrance. aI assumed she was eating in the nursery with Lady Pamela. She does so sometimes.a aCome with me, Mrs. Laycock, if you will,a the duke said, and led the way up the servantsa stairs to the piano nobile and on up to the nursery floor.

He knocked at Fleuras door before opening it and stepping inside.

aNo chambermaid has been in here this morning?a he asked.

aI very much doubt it, your grace,a the housekeeper said.

There were no combs on the dressing table. No hairpins or perfumes or any of the paraphernalia that always cluttered his wifeas dressing room. He crossed the room to the wardrobe and opened the door. There was a new jade-green velvet riding habit hanging inside, and a faded and crumpled blue silk gown. He touched the latter briefly.

aShe has gone,a he said.

aGone, your grace?a Mrs. Laycock opened a drawer of the dressing table. It was empty. aWhere would she have gone? And why?a aFoolish woman,a the duke said, closing the door of the wardrobe and standing facing it. aWhere has she gone? That is a good question. And how did she leave here? By foot? It would take her almost all night to reach Wollaston.a aBut why would she leave?a Mrs. Laycock was frowning in thought. aShe seemed happy here, your grace, and is very well liked.a aGo back downstairs, Mrs. Laycock, if you please,a his grace said. aFind out what you can from the servants. Anything at all. I shall go to the stables to question the grooms.a aYes, your grace.a She looked at him strangely and left the room.

None of the grooms knew anything. The foolish woman must have walked, the duke thought. And he wondered when during the night the rain had started. And he wondered where she was going. To London to lose herself again? It might be harder to find her this time. She would doubtless stay away from employment agenciesa"and from fashionable theaters too.

And he wondered if Houghton had paid her at all yet.

aDriscoll,a he said, turning to one of the youngest of his grooms, aride down to the lodge, if you please. I want to know if and when Miss Hamilton passed the gates.a aYes, your grace,a the groom said, but he hovered where he was instead of rushing into immediate action.

The duke looked steadily at him.

aMay I speak with you, your grace?a The duke strode out into the stableyard, heedless of the rain. Ned Driscoll followed him.

aI took Miss Hamilton into Wollaston this morning before first light, your grace, in the gig,a he said. He added irrelevantly, aShe got wet.a aFor what purpose?a his grace asked.

The groom was twisting his cap nervously in his hands. aTo catch the stage, your grace,a he said.

The duke looked at him steadily. aOn whose orders did you take the gig?a he asked.

Ned Driscoll did not answer.

aWhy did you lie to me a few minutes ago?a the duke asked.

Again there was no answer.

aOne or more of the other grooms must have known that you were gone,a the duke said.

aYes, your grace.a aSo he or they lied too.a Ned Driscoll was watching his cap turning in his hands.

aYou must have expected to be found out,a the duke said. aYou must expect dismissal.a aYes, your grace.a aDid she pay you?a aNo, your grace.a The groomas tone was indignant.

The duke looked at his young groom, standing with feet firmly planted on the cobbles of the stableyard, his eyes downcast, his cap turning and turning in his hands, his wet hair plastered to his head, his shirt clinging to his shoulders and chest. He remembered a certain morning when the same groom had stood outside the paddock laughing at Fleur and openly admiring her as she tickled the puppy with one toe.

aI will want my traveling carriage ready before the doors in one houras time,a he said. aYou may inform Shipley to be ready to take the ribbons. You will accompany him. We will probably be away for several days. You will need to pack a bag.a aYes, your grace.a Ned Driscoll looked up at him with wary eyes. His cap had fallen from his hands.

aIf we have lost her beyond trace,a his grace said coldly before turning away, aI shall beat you to a pulp on the road, Driscoll, and tie you upright to the box beside Shipley for the return journey.a His wife had got up that morning and appeared to be feeling considerably better, the duke thought with some relief as he strode back to the house. He would feel guilty about leaving her if she were still indisposed. She was in the morning room, playing cards.

aSybil, a word with you, if you please?a he said after standing behind her chair until the hand that was being played had been finished.

aJessica will sit in for you,a Mr. Penny said. aJessica?a The duke led his wife from the room and in the direction of her sitting room.

aI have to leave for a few days,a he said, aon unexpected business. Are you feeling well enough to entertain alone?a aIf you will remember,a she said, aI invited my guests when you were from home and not expected back, Adam. I have learned to be alone and not expect help from you.a aI hope to be back within a week,a he said.

aDonat hurry,a she said. aThe guests are all leaving soon. Indeed, Lord Brocklehurst has been called away and must leave today. I shall probably be gone myself by the time you return, Adam. I shall be leaving with Thomas.a He opened the door into her sitting room and followed her inside.

aWhen I return,a he said, aI shall take you and Pamela to Bath for a few weeks. The waters and the change of air will do you good, and Pamela will enjoy something different. Perhaps we can start again, Sybil, and make something at least workable of our marriage.a aI am going to be happy,a she said. aBefore you return, Adam, I am going to be happy and I am going to stay so for the rest of my life.a aSybil.a He took her by the shoulders and looked down into her upturned facea"lovely, fragile, and youthful. aI wish I could save you from pain. I wish I could go back and do everything very differently. He will not take you with him.a She smiled at him. aWe will see,a she said.

He squeezed her shoulders and left the room. He should not be going, perhaps. He should send Houghton after Fleur and remain with his wife. She was going to need someone within the next few days.

But he was the very last person she would need. When Thomas left, she would hate him with a renewed intensity. He would probably never be able to establish anything resembling peace between them.

He took the stairs two at a time to say good-bye to Pamela and assure her that he would not be gone for long. Even so, he left her in tears after she had pounded his chest with her fists and told him she hated him and did not care if he went away forever.

aI want Miss Hamilton,a she said petulantly.

And he could not even assure her that he would bring Fleur back with him. Whatever happened, he would not be able to do that.

He left Willoughby before Lord Brocklehurst.

At the stagecoach stop in Wollaston he discovered that Fleur had taken a ticket to a market town in Wiltshirea"probably not far from Heron House, he guessed. At least she had not gone to London.

But in all the guesses he had made over the past few hours, he had clung most firmly to the conviction that it would be to Heron House that she would have gone. If he had found no trace of her he would have gambled on going there. She had fled oncea"with terrible consequences. She would not do so again. Not Fleur. He believed that he was beginning to understand her quite well.