Page 86 of An Affair at Stonecliffe

Carlisle took the stairs two at a time. Was Nathan delirious? Had Carlisle misunderstood what he said? Perhaps Nathan was a cold-blooded liar, trying to clear himself of wrongdoing. But a lifetime of friendship with the man would not let Carlisle believe that.

But Diggs? Diggs, who had worked for him so long, been so reliable? Could Diggs have lied? Could he have tried to harm Gil and shot Nathan because Nathan saw what Diggs was doing? It seemed absurd—what reason would Diggs have to hurt the boy? Perhaps it had all been a dreadful mistake. Had the two men both somehow misinterpreted the other’s actions?

He must talk to Diggs. But first he had to see Noelle. He felt so strange, so torn and confused and on edge, so uncertain. He wanted—he needed—to hold her, to know she was safe and secure in his arms.

The door to Gil’s room was closed. Opening it, he stepped into the dark room. The light from the hallway was enough to show that the small bed was empty. Nor was anyone sitting in the nearby chair. “Noelle?” His heart sped up. “Gil?”

He walked to the center of the room, turning around to look in every corner. It was a small room and clearly empty. He hurried back out and down the hallway to Noelle’s room. Gil would have been frightened, and Noelle had probably taken the boy back to her bed to sleep.

The door to Noelle’s room stood open, the bedchamber dark. Grabbing a candle from the hall table, he carried it inside, but the room was just as clearly empty. Where was she? For one awful moment, he thought that she had fled from him again, had taken Gil and run as far away as she could. God knows, he could hardly blame her, given how poorly he had managed to protect her and her son.

But no. Noelle wouldn’t have done that. Not now. She knew him; she trusted him. She wouldn’t simply leave without talking to him first. Anyway, the room was tidy; there was no sign of a hasty departure.

Adeline. Of course. He was swept with relief. Noelle and Gil must be with Adeline and Lady Lockwood. He hurried out the door and turned toward the cozy sitting room Adeline preferred. Before he reached it, Adeline appeared in the doorway, looking apprehensive.

“Carlisle! What is it? Why are you running all about? Is—is Nathan—”

“No. I’m sorry, ma’am, for worrying you.” He tried to will calm into his voice. “The doctor is with Nathan now. When I left, he was about to operate. Annabeth will let us know if...” He let his voice trail off, unwilling to say the words. “I was looking for Noelle and Gil. I realized they must be with you.” He followed her into the sitting room. There was only Lady Lockwood there, staring at him balefully.

“Noelle and Gil?” Adeline said, turning to him with a puzzled face. “But they are in Gil’s room. Didn’t anyone tell you? She went up there when you left.”

“She’s not there. Neither of them is.” The knot was back in his chest, tighter than before. “Have you talked to her? Did she say anything?”

“No, the door was closed when we came up, and I didn’t want to wake Gil if he was asleep.” Adeline frowned. “Have you checked her room?”

Lady Lockwood thumped her cane against the floor. “What the devil is going on now?”

“I’ve no idea,” Carlisle said shortly. “They’re not in her room either. I’ve already checked. Where’s Diggs? Have you seen him?”

“No. Do you think he’s with them?” Adeline’s face regained a little of its lost color. “That would be good. At least they’ll have someone to protect them.”

Carlisle didn’t tell her the awful theory that had taken lodging in his brain. He jerked on the bellpull. “Surely someone must have seen them if they left. Tell Bennett to question the servants and set them to looking for Noelle. They are to search everywhere. No matter how unlikely it might seem. And Diggs. I want him found.”

“Yes, of course, but—” Adeline began, but Carlisle was already out the door.

He ran down the hallway, flinging open every door and sticking his head inside, calling her name. He ran to the governess’s room, startling that woman by pounding on her door and demanding to know if she’d seen Gil and Noelle. He went through the servants’ hall. By now, maids and footmen were scurrying all around, looking in each room, just as he was.

The library. That was her refuge. It seemed a bizarre place to take Gil to at this time of night, but it was where Noelle spent the most time. He ran to the library, even though in his heart he knew it would prove futile. He was more and more certain that Nathan’s warning was right. Diggs had tried to murder Gil, and now he and Gil and Noelle had all gone missing.

Annabeth, looking pale and drawn, was leaving the dining room as Carlisle strode back from the empty library, and he stopped. “Annabeth. What’s happened? Is Nathan—”

“He’s still alive,” she said hastily.

“Here. Sit down.” He led her toward a bench against the wall. “You look exhausted.”

She offered up a faint smile. “I am.” She sat down, letting out a sigh. “When the doctor finished, I just...melted. Before that I was holding on, but...”

“It’s understandable. Did the doctor say anything?”

“Only that it was in God’s hands now, which is not exactly what one wishes to hear.”

“Nathan’s young and healthy. He’ll recover.” He wished he was as sure of that as he tried to sound.

“They’re setting up a bed in one of the rooms down here so they won’t have to carry him up the stairs. I’ll sit with him.”

“I’m sure Adeline would be happy to take your place for a bit. You should rest.”

“I couldn’t. Not while he’s still...so uncertain.”