“I am that, dear one.” His eyes were all twinkles as he gazed at her.
“Stop doing that. Stop twinkling at me.”
“What?”
“Oh never mind. There’s Ivy.” Prudence waved, desperate now to get away from this man who disturbed her equilibrium far too much. “Ivy? We’re over here.”
“Oh good. What a crush. Sir Ronan, thank you for keeping an eye on Prudence.” Ivy passed over her niece’s cloak. “Here, the carriage is on its way…”
“Always a delight, your Grace,” he grinned. “She’s no trouble at all.”
Ivy’s eyebrow lifted. “And none of your much-vaunted charm, if you please. We’re both tired and ready to go home. I’m just not up to witty repartee tonight.”
Sir Ronan’s face sobered. “You’ll hear soon, Ma’am. I’m sure of it.”
“I hope you’re right,” sighed Ivy. “It’s been a delightful evening, albeit frustrating. I never found a moment to approach Miss Ringwood, and then I was told she’d left already. Apparently to drop in at Almack’s and flaunt her ring even more.” She rolled her eyes. “I apologise. That was an unkind remark. But I am worried, as you guessed. And here’s our carriage. We’ll bid you good night, sir.”
“Sir Ronan.” Prudence dipped a curtsey.
“I look forward to our next dance, Miss Prudence. Good evening to you both.”
“He’s an intriguing man, isn’t he?” Ivy gazed after his departing figure.
“Indeed,” returned Prudence. She yawned, hiding it behind her fan. “I’m tired too, Ivy. Let’s go home.”
“You’ll hear no arguments from me.”
The two of them managed to make their way to the top of the steps, where a firm breeze ruffled their hair. For Prudence, it was a chance to take a breath and relax.
For Ivy, however, it was something else.
A shiver of some kind, a chill…whatever it was, her skin broke out in goose pimples and she told the driver to hurry.
Something awaited them, and she felt a decided tremor of apprehension as they clambered into the carriage and shut the door.
*~~*~~*
The drive seemed to take hours, even though it was scarcely more than thirty minutes door to door. The crush of guests slowed their progress considerably, and Ivy wanted to fidget, to bang on the roof and tell the driver to spring ‘em…
“What is it?” Prudence put her hand on Ivy’s arm. “You’re as jumpy as a cat on a hot hearthstone…”
“It’s…” she sought the right words. “A feeling, Prudence. I get them sometimes. You could say a premonition, I suppose, but it’s more of a sensation that something isn’t right. My teeth ache a little and I feel as if I have stinging nettles brushing my skin.”
Prudence frowned. “That sounds most unpleasant. Can I do anything?”
Ivy shook her head. “No. I’ll be better when we get back to Hartsmere House.”
“Well let’s make haste then.” The irrepressible girl let down the window, stuck her head out and yelled at the driver. “Spring ‘em, Mr Tadson. Make all haste.”
She withdrew her head and slid the window back up, bouncing as the carriage pace picked up considerably.
“Now why didn’t I think of that?” Ivy gaped at her.
“Because you’re a Duchess. And I don’t believe Duchesses do things like that.”
“They should,” she sighed.
The encouragement worked, and within no more than another ten minutes, they were finally drawing up in front of their door.
And there were lights on, more than there should have been.
Ivy almost tumbled from the carriage in her haste to get inside. The door swung open with Woodleigh on one side and Elvina on the other.
“Elvina?” Ivy ran up the steps. “What are you doing here? I thought you would stay with Grandmama at Siddington.”
“I was going to,” the older woman replied, taking Ivy’s outstretched hands. “But I was called, my dear. I felt it. Did you?”
“Yes,” breathed Ivy, knowing immediately what Elvina meant. “Yes. Just now. I had to get here so badly…”
“Your Grace,” said Woodleigh, looking quite disturbed, which wasn’t like him at all. “A message arrived, addressed to you, not half an hour since.”
“A message?”
“I think it may be news, your Grace. News of his Grace perhaps…” Woodleigh handed over a grubby envelope. “We didn’t open it, but both Mrs Ashrayn and myself have some forebodings as to its contents.”
“Oh God.” Prudence heard the words and ran to them as a maid shut out the cooling night air.
Ivy broke the blank seal and unfolded the paper.
“I am unwell. Please give this note to my wife…” Ivy gulped down a gasp as she squinted at words suddenly wriggling before her tear-filled gaze. “I am at the Pig and…and…” She frowned. “Prudence, can you make that out?”
“Pig and…er…peacock. Pig and Peacock.”
“Yes, that’s it,” Ivy blinked away more tears. “I am at the Pig and Peacock in Tesham. Need you…”
She stared around the hall blindly. “What shall I do?”
Elvina placed her hands on Ivy’s shoulders. “You will go to your husband. Do you hear me? We will travel together, this night, to wherever he is. And we will bring him home.”
“I’ll pack our bags,” said Prudence.
“No,” said Ivy, shaking her head. “Not you, love. Colly wouldn’t be happy if you were there. Please, stay here and be our anchor. Send a note to Rose and Lydia. Ask them to come and keep you company. Or better yet, ask Maud.” Her thoughts screamed frantically in her head.
“I’ll take care of that, your Grace.” Woodleigh stepped forward. “I’ll have the maids pack. Mrs Ashrayn’s bags are still here, so you have time to change and refresh yourself.” The concern and care in his voice nearly undid her, but she pulled herself up and regained some kind of poise.
“Right then.” She glanced around. “If the maids could put some garments together, and ask a footman to add a few
