Page 29 of Lord of Loyalty

Will was speaking again. “I think, Master Pike, you’d best enter and vouchsafe the reason for this ludicrous accusation of yours. I’ve no wish to provide cheap sport for my neighbors.”

“I know that you have Isobel. No one else would have taken her—no one else even knows she’s been out of her mind. I cannot guess what you mean by it. Either you have evil motives for the deed or—and this is scarcely credible—you consider me incapable of caring for her.”

The constable had said nothing as yet. Which gave Isobel hope he hadn’t come to arrest Will, but more in the role of a witness. She had to hope so, as she’d be in a hideous coil if Will were thrown into Newgate.

He was asking, “What makes you think I have Isobel? I’ve only met the poor creature once and can have no earthly reason for removing her from your care. Why should I, a man freshly returned to his sweetheart from abroad, want to saddle myself with a madwoman?”

“You have a sweetheart?” Hubert sounded taken aback.

“Indeed. Paulina Mathieson. She lives but a few houses further down the street—pray call on her father if you won’t take my word for it.”

A dangerous bluff—Will could not afford to give the Mathiesons hope if he meant thereafter to dash it.

“So, I ask again, what cause have I for abducting your cousin?”

“Because you know about the—” Hubert paused. “Because you think you know a better cure for her. Anyway, it doesn’t matter what your reasons for her removal are. I’ve come to insist you return her at once, or you’ll take what’s coming to you.”

Somebody coughed then, presumably the constable. Isobel could imagine him puffing out his chest and looking self-important. But he must also feel uneasy since he was dealing with a nobleman.

“Am I to assume that Isobel Marston is no longer in your care, and that you have no knowledge of where she might be?” Will’s tone had changed. There was an edge of barely repressed fury in his voice.

“You know very well I don’t have her. Because you have.”

“What have you done to retrieve her? How long has she been gone? What clues have you to her disappearance? This gentleman here should be raising the hue and cry to find her, not wasting his time on me.”

“Sir William is playing games with us, Master Abel. He mocks us because we’re both lower than he. Cavendish, I simply want poor Isobel returned to her home. Do as I wish, and no force will be used against you.”

“Constable, what’s the penalty for neglecting a vulnerable young woman in one’s care, and making false accusations against the innocent?”

There was another cough, this time from Hubert, followed by a lengthy silence. Eventually, he said, “Excuse me. I may have overstepped the mark. I’m so distraught at her disappearance, and know not what to do.”

“Have you made other inquiries? Isobel could not have run to me, as she knows not where I dwell, but there must be others, friends of the family mayhap, to whom she might turn if distressed.”

“I cannot believe she has run away. She was much too… um… ill to engineer anything herself. She must have been seized against her will.”

Why was Will disputing with Hubert? Her cousin was already backing down, and the constable had nothing to say on the matter, so why not throw them both out onto the street? Then she could be released from her stuffy hole and give vent to the hysterical laughter bubbling up inside her.

“So, what steps have you taken to have her found?”

“I’ve informed the constables and the watch. I have searched the prisons, bridewells, bawdy houses and hospitals. I’m quite worn out with worry. Forgive me if I acted without thought just now.”

Yes, she’d wager he’d searched all the bawdy houses. And enjoyed doing so as well. She repressed a snort.

“More good can be done by us working together to find the young lady. Let us not be enemies, sir. I have friends in both low and high places and will use my influence to learn what I can. I must also apologize for so readily accusing you of negligence. It was churlish of me, considering what you’ve no doubt had to put up with since Edward went away.”

What arcane game was Will playing? Why be friendly towards their enemy? Merciful heavens, he’d be inviting the villain to dine with him next!

“Since you’ve brought a constable with you, I feel obliged to prove my innocence in this matter. You may have the run of my house. Search every inch of it if you will. Then you may be certain I’m your ally in this case, not your adversary.”

She froze. Why had Will made such an imprudent offer? As soon as the door was closed, only a thin sliver of oak lay between her and her nemesis. What if she were to sneeze? What if Hubert were to press the wood in just the right place and make the door spring open?

What if Will had changed his mind, and actually wanted her to be found? Had he decided she’d trespassed on his life long enough?