“What is it?” Beatrix asked, taking it from him and looking inside. Her breath caught at the sight of the twists and twirls of silver filigree, along with bands of silver inlaid with small pearls.
“It fell from the man’s horse during our scuffle that day,” Pencot explained quietly. “After he rode off with ya, I picked it up, hoping it might prove useful for finding ya. Now that we’ve found ya, we might return it to him in hope that he’ll put all this behind him.”
Beatrix sighed. After all she’d endured here, all that had transpired had been the result of a simple misunderstanding, an accident of mere faulty knot tying. She looked over her shoulder and thought to take it upstairs and fling it at the useless Marquess, but she changed her mind.
“We should perhaps bring it with us. If the judge learns that we did not have any part in its disappearance, but rather explain how it came to be lost to Lord Bellton, perhaps he will be more understanding.” Beatrix looked thoughtful for a moment, then added, “We can bring it back this way as we ride for home.”
“Right smart, that is!” Pencot agreed, nodding over at Cooke to get in the saddle. “I’ve gotten something of a map from those inside. Let’s be off.”
Beatrix threaded her arm and head through the satchel’s long strap, fitting it across her body, then climbed up in the saddle, arranging her unfortunate skirt as best she could. What had she said only days ago about the dangers and scandals a lady might face? She shook her head to clear the memory of that ride… and of Callum’s marvelous kiss afterward.
The trio rode on for the better part of an hour before stopping to consult for directions at a nearby inn. With only thirty minutes more to go, they set out, intent on reaching Chelmsford before morning.
Chapter 28
“Arise! Arise, sir!” the butler whispered urgently, clearly uncomfortable at being in these chambers when Peter was sleeping. “Your lady mother requests you.”
Peter sat up in bed and blinked the sleep from his eyes. He looked to the window and saw that the faintest hint of sunlight shone above the horizon.
“Is something the matter?” he asked before yawning. “What is the need at this early hour?”
“I know not, sir. Only that she has asked for you. She waits downstairs in the study with your father.” The butler moved about the room, opening the curtains and allowing the thin light of day in. He lit a lamp as well, and waited.
“Oh, no I can manage,” Peter said in understanding. “Surely they don’t expect full dress at this hour?”
“I cannot say, sir, only your father is in full dress and your mother as well.”
“Well, they’ve seen me in my night clothes and robe before, and I daresay they’ll see it again,” Peter said, flinging back the covers and sliding his arms into the robe the butler held out.
He followed down the stairs in a foul mood, grumpy from lack of sleep. The hard riding of the day before followed by his parents’ disappearance from the evening meal—unusual, as his mother insisted they dine together, often with several guests—had left him unsettled, to say the least, and now this.
“Whatever is the matter, Mother?” Peter asked when he entered the drawing room, intentionally ignoring his father. “Why did you need to wake me?”
“Son, it’s the most wonderful news!” Lady Margaret replied, but Peter could tell that her smile was forced and so was her tone. “We’re to travel to the Duke’s house today and then to the chapel at Wiltmore. You’re to marry Lady Annemarie this afternoon!”
“What?” Peter asked, his mind still fogged from the sudden awakening. “Today? Her family permits it?”
“It’s all signed, there’s no reason for delay,” his father said gruffly, attempting to sound enthused. “I may be heading to oversee some workings abroad, and the Duke agreed there was little need for delay as you are of the lesser station in the match.”
“Huh,” Peter said, his expression blank. “I suppose I should get dressed then.”
His father fought back a look of consternation, but his mother was the one to say, “Yes. Do so. And pack several cases, we’ve arranged for you to travel to our estate by the coast for a couple’s voyage following the ceremony. You’ll be gone for a matter of weeks.”
“Weeks? I’m supposed to pack for a journey of several weeks, and with my new wife?” Peter scoffed. “If I did not know better, I’d say you were rushing things just a tad. It’s as though you fear my bride will reject me if she isn’t wed this very day!”
His parents exchanged a look of nervous fear, and it did not escape Peter’s notice. He looked at them each in turn, and waited silently for an explanation that he feared would not be coming.
“Son, don’t be silly. Lady Annemarie is absolutely overjoyed,” his mother assured him, smiling. “What young lady would not be? Isn’t that right?”
The Earl coughed soundly and said, “Yes, yes. There is only a need for urgency because of my pending travels. I’ve sent word to the Duke, and he is in agreement.”
“Agreement? You mean there’s been some hesitancy on Lady Annemarie’s part, and her father wants this to move forward before she can find a boy’s attire and strike out for the docks?” Peter laughed at his own joke. “I wonder, how amusing would it be if she went masquerading as a lad on your very ship, Father!”
“Peter,” the Earl replied, his voice a low growl of warning. “Do as you were bid. Go now.”
“And what of Lord Bellton?” Peter asked, pinning his father back with an accusing glare.
“What of him?” his father demanded.
