Lord Sebastian and the Scottish Lass by Christine Donovan

Author:Christine Donovan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christine Donovan, Regency Romance, Historical Romance, A Seabrook Family Saga, The Reluctant Duke, the lady and the earl, The Lady Must Choose
Publisher: Christine Donovan
Published: 2016-03-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

After days of travel, Wentworth and Spencer arrived at the small remote town outside of Carlisle and found lodgings at the Three Horses Inn. They sat in the private room for the gentry, eating rabbit stew and drinking a pint.

“While I went to the stables to see to the horses, did you inquire about Penelope?” Spencer asked over the top of his pint.

“Yes. The innkeeper and his wife have never heard of her. But she said they don’t know many of the local townsfolk. They only began running the inn after her brother died several months ago.”

“Too bad, it would’ve helped us in our search. I wish Penelope gave you an address instead of just the name of the bloody town.”

“Yes, well, I wish she did too. But how hard can it be to find her. This town doesn’t look all that big. First thing tomorrow we’ll set out.”

Bright and early after a quick breakfast of eggs and fresh rolls, Wentworth and Spencer set out looking for Penelope. The first stop they made was to the local vicar. And it was a good thing they did because he had word of her. All the vicar could tell them was she had fled the home of the Viscount shortly after her mother had passed. She had been working as a scullery maid, and he didn’t know why she didn’t stay on.

Wentworth couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t stay in the employ of Viscount Hadley either. At least until she heard from him. Unfortunately, Wentworth didn’t know Hadley or anything about the man. However, something deep inside his soul screamed that he wasn’t a man to be trusted.

When he and Spencer arrived at the viscount’s modest and nicely maintained estate, they were led immediately to the man’s study where a rather large, balding middle aged viscount sat behind a large mahogany desk.

The viscount stood and gestured to two chairs facing the desk. “Welcome, Your Grace, Mr. Spencer. Please have a seat and tell me why you honor me with your presence today.”

Wentworth sat and got right to the point of his visit. “I am inquiring as to the whereabouts of a young lady in your employ. A Miss Penelope Sullivan. Is she still with you?”

If Wentworth wasn’t mistaken the viscount twitched.

“She was in my employ, a scullery maid, I believe. Her mother was my wife’s ladies’ maid. That was until she took ill and died recently. The day after I graciously paid to have a proper burial for her mother, the girl vanished.”

“Does your wife know anything? Or the cook. Surely she confided in the cook as to her plans?”

“Possibly. I never inquired.” The viscount rang the bell summoning a servant. “Please bring Mrs. Ellsworth to me.”

They sat in silence until the cook arrived, looking overworked and flustered. “Yes milord, how may I help you?”

The viscount explained the reason for Wentworth and Spencer’s visit. Upon hearing the girl’s name, the cook rung her hands together and looked even more disconcerted.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace, the miss left without a word to any of us in the kitchen.

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