The Cynfell Brothers by Holt Samantha

Author:Holt, Samantha [Holt, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Helstone Press
Published: 2018-02-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Jasper handed Hettie up into the cab and sat beside her. He twined his fingers between her gloved hand, pulling it close to him so he could wrap his other hand around hers.

“So where are we starting? You said you have an idea of where to?”

Over breakfast, he’d tried hard to think how to tell Hettie where he suspected Emma was, but how could he? Part of him felt Emma needed to tell her but by the time they had searched all the charitable institutions, he’d made a list of she would know anyway.

He was a coward. Who’d have thought it? He, who cared little what anyone thought of him and prided himself on taking chances in life, was terrified of hurting this woman.

“I believe Emma will have sought help from one of the charities around here. There are many in the city. I think we should start with them.”

Hettie shook her head. “I don’t understand why she would do this. Foolish girl. Did she really think that man would follow her and marry her?”

Jasper doubted Emma really did. She’d known full well when she had asked him for help that Brandon had little intention of doing the honourable thing, but he imagined she still held onto hope. But why had she not come to him once more instead of running away? He couldn’t fathom it.

“All will be well,” he assured Hettie. He wasn’t sure it would be. For once in his life, he wasn’t sure of anything. Even when Emma had come to him and he’d made a decision so outrageous and unexpected, even to him, he’d been certain of it.

Now he regretted keeping everything from Hettie. What if she never forgave him? What if she refused to let him court her? He needed to be around her. He couldn’t lose her.

“Do not be angry with Emma, will you?”

“Angry with her? She’s my sister! I just want her safe.”

Hopefully she wouldn’t be angry with him, either, but he had his suspicions that wouldn’t be the case. Still, he’d weathered her anger before. He just had to convince her he’d been trying to protect her and soon enough, they could return to normal. And he could return to doing his best to win her over completely.

If all went well, he had every intention of making Hettie his wife.

The cabriolet drew to a halt and Jasper stepped out and put on his hat.

Hettie glanced up at the tall building with the words engraved into it. “St. Mary’s Female Protection Society?”

“I won’t be allowed in. You shall have to enquire yourself.”

She nodded and entered, leaving him standing by the carriage, arms folded. Hettie returned within minutes.

She shook her head. “No.”

“Well, we have plenty more to try.” He aided her back into the carriage and they continued their search.

By midday, they had visited eight more institutions with no sign of Emma. Jasper’s gut clenched as Hettie’s expression grew more and more resigned.

“We’ll find her,” he assured her while they ate a light lunch in one of the restaurants on Castle Street.

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