“No one has seen Faith since last evening,” Mary said calmly worried about Philip’s health. Her husband was not a young man.
“Anything missing,” Walden asked. No one made a reply. “Right,” he said cryptically. “Miss Gaines, will you please make a search while I wait. Then I will have a talk with Jim Cook.”
Chapter Twenty One
Royce turned the horses loose in the field behind the barn. Then, he hurried through the trees towards the Secondary School coming out of the woods behind Miss Ferguson’s house. A few minutes later he unlocked the side door. In the rooms above the classroom he added wood to the stove and made coffee.
He drank coffee while standing in front of his shaving mirror. Then he hastily changed into his black town suit. He would be glad when he could put the suit back in mothballs. His shoulder was throbbing painfully when Royce went to unlock the front door. His nerves were raw after spending a long night in the saddle.
Icy crystals sparkled in the sunlight turning green grass to shining jewels. The sky overhead was pale blue appearing almost white. Children’s voices could be heard before Royce saw the group of young people walking along the boardwalk. A few snowflakes were falling.
Lydia looked like a little ghost when she came into the classroom and took off her coat. Royce crossed the room and watched as Lydia held her coat over one arm a few minute before hanging the coat on a peg. “Lydia,” he asked knowing what the girl would say before she opened her mouth.
“It will be alright,” Royce stated.
“How will it be alright,” Lydia asked her voice trembling. “Faith has disappeared and Father doesn’t know where she has gone.”
“Trust me,” Royce said hoping he was not giving himself away. He could see Lydia’s mind turning over. Her brown eyes were reflecting her thoughts. She possessed more than a little of Imogen’s intrusion.
“You know where Faith is,” Lydia accused. Her eyes snapping fire as she looked at Royce. She was no longer the shy introvert that Royce had come to know and understand.
“Faith’s life will be in danger if anyone finds out,” Royce replied. “You will keep her secret?”
“Danger,” Lydia asked. “She is helping you!”
Royce laid one hand on Lydia’s shoulder, “We will talk later,” he whispered. “Class, open your geography books.” Royce walked to the front of the classroom and picked up a stick of chalk. “Today’s lesson is on China.”
In the middle of the morning lessons Elizabeth took over the class. Royce sat wearily in his chair and listened. His color was gray, his shoulder a burning ache while his head throbbed.
Miss Ferguson rang the dinner bell.
“You are ill,” Elizabeth said noticing Royce’s hands trembling as he leaned against his desk for support. “Do you want me to send Bobby for Doctor Thomas?”
Sweat popped out on Royce’s forehead. The room began to spin. “I think that might be a good idea,” he said collapsing back onto his chair. Elizabeth’s hand was cool when she touched his forehead. He was burning with fever.
“Bobby, Johnny, help Mr. Hargadon upstairs. Colin, go for Doctor Thomas. Tell him Mr. Hargadon has taken ill,” Elizabeth ordered.
“I think it would be best if I waited down here,” Royce declared his voice sounded far away. “I’m too heavy for Bobby and Johnny to help up the stairs.”
* * * * *
It was late afternoon when the stagecoach arrived in Carrington City. Faith glanced at the setting sun, took a deep breath and exited the stage.
Joe extended his hand giving Faith a gentle look as she gripped his fingers. The stage driver was a middle aged bowlegged man with a face full of whiskers and bushy eyebrows. From the moment he laid eyes on Faith, Joe was astounded by her beauty. Royce was one lucky man. Fulfilling his obligation of looking after Faith had been a pleasure. Faith arrived safely at Carrington City like Marshal Hargadon had ordered.
Faith felt stiff after riding inside the stage. The constant movement had unsettled her stomach. She took another deep breath of fresh air hoping the wobbling in her knees would soon go away.
“Could you tell me where Mrs. Paige’s Boardinghouse is located,” Faith asked shaking out the wrinkles from her long skirt and brushing dust off her winter coat. Three days on the stage and staying at various Stagecoach Stations left her nerves feeling frazzled. The sooner she could relax for a few hours the better.
Joe scratched the back of his head knocking his hat low over his eyes. “Mrs. Paige,” the man repeated. “She is full up the last time I heard.”
“Mr. Hargadon instructed me to use his room,” Faith replied with a shy tilt to her chin. “I don’t know anyone in Carrington City and Mr. Hargadon wants to know I will be well looked after.”
Joe did not dispute Faith’s words. He had been given orders to see to the young woman’s safety. “In that case, wait inside the office while I tend to my horses. I will take you along as soon as I am done,” Joe replied. Royce was seeing to his young lady even though the Marshal was miles away. “Mrs. Paige is a right proper woman. She won’t fancy you taking Royce’s room. I’ll see if I can smooth things over.”
“Thank you,” Faith replied. So far Royce had taken care of her every concern. From asking Robby to see she was safely aboard the stage to Joe hovering over her protectively during her trip. The small office was heated by a potbellied stove. Faith took a chair and placed the toes of her boots against the stove’s black apron.
“Something I can do for you,” the man behind the desk asked.
“I am waiting for Joe,” Faith replied. She gripped the small valise resting on her lap.
“You’re Hargadon’s intended,” the man asked. He was short and dark complexioned with black eyes that glowed when
