After a long silence, his father said, 'You really care for her.'
'Yes.' An understatement, but he wasn't about to admit to the deep, complicated feelings she aroused. 'Fate brought Troth and I together. If she leaves me, so be it, but if you are hoping for grandchildren from me, they will be with Troth, or no one.' He smiled without humor. 'You'd better pray that she leaves me.'
His father rose heavily. 'I will pray that you find contentment. Though maybe that's too much to ask.'
Kyle stared at the door into the hall after it closed on Wrexham. Just like the old boy to end an argument by saying something insightful. Had he always realized how restless his heir was?
Kyle sat in the study for a long time, thinking about his life. He'd been in a black swamp ever since his imprisonment, haunted by nightmares and paralyzed by indecision. He must pull himself together for the sake of his family.
And for Troth, of course, who had been endlessly patient and undemanding. He needed to summon the strength and resolution to set her free rather than let his silence keep her trapped at Dornleigh. He would miss her as a soldier missed a severed limb, but he had no right to cage her here when he couldn't offer the whole heart she deserved.
He opened his eyes and noticed that it was a perfect spring day. Maybe he and Troth could go for a ride. Dominic had said that she'd become quite competent on horseback, and maybe riding would make it easier to talk.
The thought of riding made him wonder what had happened to the donkey, Sheng. He'd become rather attached to the beast despite its bony spine.
Feeling a tingle of anticipation, he rang for the butler. When Hawking appeared, he asked, 'Do you know where Lady Maxwell is? I thought she might be interested in going for a ride.'
Hawking's brows rose. 'Her ladyship didn't find you? She had the same thought and was looking for you here earlier.'
'Really? I haven't seen her this morning.' A horrifying thought occurred to Kyle. If she'd sought him in the study, she might have approached during his argument with Wrexham. If she'd overheard some of the things that had been said…
Alarmed, he swiftly ascended to Troth's room, hoping he wouldn't find her there weeping. The knowledge that Kyle's father despised her mixed blood would be crushing.
When he knocked on her door, there was no response. After a second knock went unanswered, he cautiously turned the knob.
What he found was worse than tears. The bedroom had been ransacked, with drawers and wardrobe gaping, garments tossed across the bed and left crumpled on the floor. It was hard to believe that meticulous Troth lived here. In fact, she didn't-the condition of the room was an open declaration that she'd left. He crossed the room and rang for her maid. Perhaps the girl-Bessy?-would know where her mistress had gone.
As he waited, he saw a note propped on the mantel. Girding himself, he unfolded the paper and read,
As he crushed the note in his hand, the young maid entered and curtsied nervously. 'My lord.'
'Do you know where Lady Maxwell has gone?' He was amazed how steady his voice sounded.
'I'm not sure, sir, but she asked me to call a carriage for her.'
'The travel coach, or one of the smaller carriages?'
'A smaller one.'
Rapidly he considered the possibilities. Knowing she couldn't set off on a long journey without the coachman questioning her order, she'd probably gone to the nearby market town of Northampton, where she could catch a coach that would take her to London. No, not London-she'd go to Scotland. He'd meant to take her there, but as with everything else, he hadn't had the energy to follow through on his intentions.
Well, he'd better find some energy now. He strode to his room and swiftly changed to riding clothes. Downstairs he came across his father. 'You're in luck,' he said acidly. 'Troth overheard part of our conversation and has left. I hope to persuade her to come back, but I wouldn't blame her if she refuses.'
'Damnation. I didn't want that.' Wrexham frowned. 'She may be more willing to return if I leave. Parliament is in session and I should be in London. I can't go until after the reception in your honor tomorrow night, but I'll be off the next morning. Give you and the girl time to work things out, if you're ever going to.'
Kyle blinked, startled at his father's offer. 'I don't know if that will help, but it's very thoughtful. Thank you.'
Wrexham smiled satirically. 'I suppose part-Chinese grandchildren are better than none at all.' Turning, he marched down the hall, bellowing for his secretary.
In the stable Kyle saddled a dark bay that reminded him of Pegasus. The head groom, Malloy, who'd taught the twins to ride more than thirty years earlier, emerged as Kyle was tightening the cinches. 'In the mood for a rare handful of horse, my lord?'
That didn't sound promising. 'Does this one have homicidal traits?'
The groom chuckled. 'Nay, lad, just high spirits. You'll like Nelson fine.'
Malloy was right about the high spirits. When Kyle mounted, Nelson burst into a series of bucks that sent Kyle flying across the yard to land with bruising force. As a stableboy caught Nelson, Malloy rushed up, alarmed. 'Are you hurt, my lord?'
Swearing under his breath, Kyle waved the groom away. 'I'm fine.'
He brushed himself off, then approached Nelson with steely determination. Stupid of him to forget that it had been over a year since he'd been on horseback. Sheng didn't count. With a spirited beast like Nelson, it was essential to prove who was in charge from the beginning. For most of his life authority had been second nature, but in China he'd lost the habit.
Standing and moving like a man who knew he was the master, he collected the reins and spent a couple of minutes petting the horse, not allowing it to push him back. When he thought he'd made his point, he mounted again. This time he was prepared for Nelson's tests and managed to counter every challenge.
When Kyle brought Nelson to a well-behaved standstill, Malloy said, 'I see you haven't lost your touch.'
'Rusty, but not wholly incompetent.'' Kyle trotted out of the yard, then released the horse into an exhilarating gallop across the hills toward Northampton.
He didn't doubt that he could find Troth-but then what?
Chapter 33
Kyle's pleasure in the ride was grayed from exhaustion by the time he entered Northampton. Malaria had undermined his strength and stamina as badly as the prison in Feng-tang had battered his emotions and spirit.
Since he'd come cross-country, Troth's carriage couldn't have arrived here much before he had. With luck he'd find her at a coaching inn. If she'd already left-well, her distinctive appearance would make her easy to follow.
But what the devil should he say when he found her? Just as he'd tried to avoid talking with his father, he had avoided Troth for the same reason. He'd known that any discussion would be harrowing, and he hadn't felt equal to that. Inevitably, delay had made the situation worse. From the state of Troth's bedroom, he guessed that she'd left Dornleigh in a fury, and surely deeply hurt as well.
The hell of it was that she
Praying she was here, he rode into the coaching yard of the George, turned Nelson over to an ostler, and went
