A sense of need swelled inside him. He would make his father proud. He’d not acknowledged the desire to want to in many years, but now he could. He was facing all sorts of buried demons today. “Why hasn’t anyone tracked De La Touche down before now?”
“We have, but he got away from us. Sutton was the lead for tracking him down, but now Sutton is gone.”
“Am I to be the one to hunt De La Touche?”
“No. You’re to help me. Once our contacts trace De La Touche’s new hiding place we’ll go together. You’ll be my backup.”
“Excellent. I’m ready.”
Gravenhurst chuckled. “You’re not even close to ready, my friend. But when I’m through with you, you will be.”
Eight
Retracing her steps, Madelaine plodded up the hill. Her back screamed for relief from her hunched over position, but if she stood she couldn’t see the grass near as well. At the top, she straightened and rubbed her back. “It’s hopeless.”
“Nonsense,” Elizabeth replied. “Wewillfind the queen’s ring.”
“I don’t see how.” Madelaine waved a hand toward the lake. Up here it looked smaller than it really was. “Look at all the ground we covered with our morning stroll. She’s set me an impossible task. That ring could have slipped off her finger anywhere. I think she wants me to fail.” Madelaine slumped to the ground in defeat.
“Don’t fret.” Elizabeth sat down and patted Madelaine’s arm. “We’ll find it, and then perhaps she’ll start to see how devoted you are to her.”
Madelaine snorted. “It was kind of you to volunteer to help me, but you should go back to Frogmore and join the others for lunch.”
Elizabeth shook her head.
Madelaine stared at her new friend. She was very grateful, but she couldn’t allow her to continue to help. “I’ll be fine. There are guards everywhere out here.”
“I know that, silly. But the guards won’t help you look. And two pairs of eyes are better than one.”
“But if she’s angry with me it may filter to you.”
“Her temper will cool soon enough if it does. Besides, the costume ball tonight will put her in a fine mood.”
Without thought, Madelaine hugged Elizabeth. “I owe you for this.”
“No.” Elizabeth stood and held her hand out. “I owe you for how terrible I was.”
“You were not terrible.” Madelaine grasped Elizabeth’s hand and stood. “You were afraid. There’s a difference. Consider whatever debt you think you owe, paid. Shall we head back down the hill and around the lake once again?”
“Absolutely.” Elizabeth looked past Madelaine and grinned.
“What is it?” An infectious smile pulled at her own lips, though her situation hardly warranted anything to be happy about.
“I have a feeling our luck is about to change.”
“You do?”
Elizabeth nodded.
“What makes you feel that way?”
“Not what, but who.”
Madelaine came to her friend’s side and stared down the gentle slope of the hill they had climbed. Down, by the lake, making his way toward them was a tall, broad-shouldered man with gleaming, curly black hair. Her heart fluttered. “Whatever do you think your brother is doing out here?”
Shaking her head with a smile, Elizabeth said, “I imagine he’s looking for you. After all, he is your protector now.”
“Bite your tongue!” Madelaine exclaimed. “I told you he offered to protect me from Lord Thorton. That is all. Don’t you dare say a word. I’d die of mortification.”
