“Yes, they must.” Helena nodded. “What will you do now?”
“I shall go to the Duke of Bridstone myself. I shall explain what has happened, apologize for our accusations as well, and the misery we have all caused to Lord Robert.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, looking in fresh agony. “I shall go now. Then, I shall ask for their help in searching for Julia.”
Benjamin walked from the room, and Helena followed. Behind them, a fresh argument began. Anna threw herself wildly at Kitty, and Matthew cried, pleading with her not to do so.
“Mother, please!” Helena called back to Anna, begging her to stop, but she was torn. Part of her wished to stay and divide her mother from her aunt, but an overwhelming part of her called her elsewhere. In the end, she listened to this part and followed her father to the doorway.
The butler appeared, as if sensing something was wrong, and offered a top hat to her father. Helena reached for a shawl on a hook and wrapped it around her shoulders.
“You need to be here, Helena, to take care of your mother,” Benjamin said and nodded at the doorway.
“No, I do not.” Helena winced as she heard fresh shouts coming from the parlor. “My mother is quite capable of looking after herself.”
“Well, I cannot deny that.” At Benjamin’s words, Kitty flung herself out of the parlor, crying fresh tears. Behind her, Anna fell into the nearest chair and embraced Matthew again, the two offering each other comfort.
Kitty stood in the hallway, not bothering to wipe her tears away as she stared at Benjamin and Helena.
“I was not a part of it,” Kitty whispered.
“Perhaps not,” Benjamin agreed with a slow nod. “Yet you could have stopped it, and you chose not to.”
She hung her head.
Benjamin reached for the door and flung it open wide.
“The carriage please,” he added to the butler who nodded. Helena followed Benjamin down the stairs. “You are coming then?”
“I must.” Helena had no doubts in her mind. “I have to help find Julia, and…” She trailed off, buttoning her lip as she realized what words had nearly escaped her lips.
As the carriage was brought around, she hurried inside with Benjamin following. He gave instructions to the driver where to go then slammed the door shut behind him and shifted his gaze to Helena.
“You have something you wish to say to the Duke of Bridstone, by any chance, Helena?” he asked with one eyebrow lifted.
“Not now, Father. Please.”
“You and I must speak soon of what is happening here.” He spoke plainly, pinning her to the spot with the strength of his gaze.
“Yet not now.”
She didn’t know what to say to her father on the matter, for she didn’t know how to put it into words at all.
* * *
“Chris! Chris? Look.” Robert’s loud voice filled the house.
Christopher leapt to his feet, leaving behind his family as he raced to the hallway. Robert was staring out of the window, waving a manic hand beyond. Percival stood at his side, leaning tiredly on a nearby wall.
“It has been almost impossible to keep him in this house,” Percival explained. “Every few minutes he has some wild idea of where we should look for his betrothed.”
“Look!” Robert cried again and reached for the front door, flinging it open.
“What has him so excited now?” Christopher called, hurrying to the door himself.
“Take a look.” Percival smiled and nodded, encouraging him on.
Christopher stepped out of the door, following his brother but at a much slower pace. Robert had practically run toward the carriage that trundled down the driveway. The door opened with those inside not bothering to wait for a footman to do the job. The first to step down was the Duke of Dunton, whose expression was grave and his pallor pale.
The poor man looks tired.
