A letter from his cousin. Though Owen had offered to send for a search party, his aunt and uncle had said they didn’t want his help. But now they had a letter. He felt his curiosity grow, though he tried to ignore it. Remaining calm, he took a deep breath and opened the letter.
Mother dearest,
I cannot imagine the disaster I left behind. Though I cannot tell you where I am, I wish to express my most heartfelt apologies for not being there. For you, for Owen, for the young lady. But I had to follow my heart.
I promise to return soon. I only pray I have not caused any hurt.
Yours,
Benedict.
“Well?”
Owen glanced up.
His aunt gazed up at him hopefully, her hands tucked under her chin. Her wide eyes and anxious expression told him that she was hoping for something that would help them find Benedict. Like clues or a mystery to be solved.
Owen read the letter again only in the hope that she might be right. But he gleaned nothing. Frustration bubbled within him. Even though he wanted to find a clue, not just for himself but for his aunt, he couldn’t.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled, forcing himself to meet her gaze. It was a punishment he had to bear. “He didn’t give a hint about where he is or what he’s doing. We’ll just have to wait for him to return, as he promised.”
“But… there’s nothing?” she asked, her shoulders dropping.
Shaking his head, Owen handed her back the letter. She brought it close to her chest. “I’m afraid we can only wait and see, for now. Maybe he’ll return soon.”
It heightened his frustration to see a wave of emotion wash over her face. Lady Carlisle had worked so hard through the years to protect them, especially Benedict. There was no telling the hardships she had endured for him. Sometimes, the thought of how helpless they all were in this situation consumed Owen.
She rose from her seat, he followed her. “You’re not going home, are you?” he asked.
“I must. I promised not to be gone long.”
Wrestling with himself, he slowly nodded. “Please be careful, Aunt Augusta. You know you can come here any time. You’re always welcome, and my door is always open to you. If anything gets worse… I can get you away from there.”
She sighed. “Owen…”
“I mean it,” he insisted. “I have connections across the Continent. Even in China. He can’t find you everywhere. His reach has limits.”
Lady Carlisle leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “You’re a good man. I remember how wonderful your parents were. You’re just like them, you know.”
Owen wanted to say something. Anything. Except there was a lump in his throat. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, trying to think of something he could say. But even his thoughts were stilted. It wasn’t even talking about his parents. And it was harder to think about them.
I still remember the scent of the river. The shouting. The water in my lungs, the rain in my eyes…
“Take care of yourself, Owen. You and your wife.”
Clearing his throat, he managed to take his aunt’s hand and lead her out of the room and down the hall. She leaned heavily on him, so he slowed down. One step after the next. All the while, he tried to think up something that would convince her to escape his monster of an uncle.
“Oh! My apologies.” A patter of feet behind them made him stiffen. “I didn’t realize we had a guest.”
He gave a slight shake of the head as their butler opened the front door for his aunt. Not wanting to force the company of his wife on her, he wanted to make sure she had some peace before returning home.
“She was just leaving. Good day, Aunt Augusta. Send for me if you need anything.”
“Thank you, my boy. Your Grace.” Lady Carlisle stood in the doorway and offered a fragile nod, before taking her leave.
The familiar footsteps trailed after Owen as he watched his aunt take her leave. It only took a moment before he could smell her. There hadn’t been flowers in the parlor, but he smelled that now, realizing it washer.
Georgiana smelled of gardenias. It annoyed him. His entire home would smell of gardenias now. Didn’t he have a garden for that?
