“I require my horse. Rebecca is missing and I must find her, Emma,” Thomas said, his voice riddled with guilt. “I must find her. She may be in danger, and if anything were to happen to her, I would never forgive myself.”
“There is no need to go, Thomas. She is all right,” Emma said.
“What do you speak of? I must go. I am the one who caused this. I am at fault, and I must find her. It will be dark soon.”
“Thomas, please, listen to me—”
“Emma,” Thomas said and stared directly at her. “I know you mean well but you do not understand the urgency of this matter. Now step away.”
Rebecca did not appreciate Thomas’s tone directed wrongfully at Emma and she marched towards him. “That is no way to speak to the Duchess of Waign.”
Chapter Twelve
Thomas stared wordlessly at Rebecca, who was safe and sound at the estate, and although he was relieved she was standing in front of him, the anger and resentment in her eyes unsettled him.
“Rebecca, you’re here,” he panted, out of breath.
“That is precisely what I wanted to tell you, but you didn’t give me the chance,” Emma said and placed a hand on her hip.
“Would you perhaps excuse us for a moment, Emma?” Thomas asked, then thought to add, “Please?”
“Of course,” Emma nodded. “Come along children.”
His nieces emerged from the stables and followed Emma towards the manor house. As soon as they were far enough away, he stepped toward Rebecca.
“Where have you been? Your father and I have been sick with worry—” Thomas said, his voice louder than he’d anticipated.
His words were silenced immediately when Rebecca stepped forward and slapped him across the face.
“How dare you?” Rebecca spat at him, then crossed her arms. “Never in my life have I met a more presumptuous man, and believe me, I have met more than my fare share.”
Thomas rested his palm against his heated cheek and stared at Rebecca. “What are you talking about? You father and I have been searching for you. You were not in your chambers and—”
“I’m surprised you even noticed I was gone.”
“Why would we not notice?” he asked.
“Your conversation was very consuming, it seemed.”
“Rebecca,” Thomas sighed. “I am confused.”
Rebecca laughed bitterly and threw her hands in the air as she turned back to where he’d come from. “Imagine my surprise.”
Thomas frowned and he followed the angry young woman down the slight slope leading to the lake. “Rebecca, please wait.”
He reached out his hand to grab her arm and spun her around.
“Unhand me immediately,” she said.
“Not until you explain why you are acting so bizarrely.”
“I am acting as I rightfully should. I am upset and I have every right to be,” she said.
“May we go inside and discuss our future as sensible adults?”
The thought of anyone thinking he was a sensible adult amused him and as he chuckled to himself, Rebecca glowered at him angrily.
“I apologise.” He hurried to add, “There were many things cascading through my mind that I should not be thinking. But, please, I do not wish to see you upset. Allow me to direct you to a safe place inside where we can converse as we need to.”
Rebecca stared at him, her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“Please, Rebecca.”
She drew in a breath and nodded. “Very well, but on one condition.”
“Anything,” Thomas said and clasped his hands together. “I will do anything.”
“Have my father’s horse returned to him, and inform him that I am safe,” she said.
“Of course,” Thomas nodded and called out to the stable boy. He gave the young lad instructions, which he conveyed to one of the grooms.
He then offered his arm to Rebecca, but she refused. So, he held his hands up in defeat and continued towards the manor house. Rebecca’s footsteps followed right behind him, and a smile formed on his lips. At least she hadn’t tried to run away again.
He was completely perplexed by Rebecca’s anger. He had been under the impression that she liked him and enjoyed his company. They shared interests in art, painting and sketching. She had very much enjoyed herself when they hunted for fossils on the beach.
Had he been mistaken about her affections for him? Why was she upset at the fact that he had told her father that he wished to court her with the promise of an engagement and marriage? Was that not what she wanted?
Perhaps being a man made him oblivious to the ways of women. Or perhaps it had been true what his late father had told him, that women were not created to be understood fully. At the time his father said that, he felt that it was a rather derogatory thing to say, but as he grew older and began to encounter young women, he realised how incredibly wise his father had been. Women were more complex than he’d imagined, and Rebecca’s behaviour now clearly proved it.
Thomas led her to the ladies’ parlour and opened the door for her to enter. As expected, Emma, Julia and Abigail were inside, dressed in lovely frocks awaiting dinner. Thomas glanced at Rebecca, who seemed rather uncomfortable in the other three ladies’ company.
Tears began to form in her eyes as she stepped back, but Thomas urged her inside.
“My dearest sisters,” Thomas announced. “You have all heard me speak of a lovely young woman who has captured my heart, and I wish to introduce you to her. This is Rebecca Morton, the woman I intend to marry.”
He smiled down at Rebecca, but her stormy expression caused him to step away, as he feared he may be slapped across the face once more.
“I wish you would stop announcing things that are not true, Thomas,” Rebecca said, and as he was about to respond, she quickly added, “And no, having a conversation with my father without
