Winning The Indecisive Duke: The Fairbank Series

by Bennett, Jessie

  Hamilton shook his head. “You know, as much as everyone else, that Jonah and Elizabeth do not want to be married. You know that Jonah has chosen another. It seemed this was the easiest way to a conclusion that will be best for all parties involved.”

  “But, Father? How can you do this? How can you let her have the husband I want?” Alexandra’s voice rose in pitch. She looked at her father miserably.

  Hamilton looked at his wife, asking her for help without speaking the words.

  Anne moved closer to her daughter. “Alexandra. You know that we cannot force two people to suffer because of an old contract.”

  “You can! It has been that way for generations! You can keep the contract the way it is, and I can marry him myself. It would be easier,” she suggested wildly.

  Hamilton and Anne both shook their heads. Her father was the one who answered her. “No, Alexandra. I cannot force Lord Boothe to maintain a contract that he knows vexes his son. He will agree with me on this and let his son marry the woman he wishes for.”

  “But, Father! This is not fair!” Alexandra whispered.

  “My dear,” he began.

  She cut him off, suddenly standing taller, shouting, “You will see!” Alexandra crossed her arms. “Elizabeth will not marry the duke. She will not marry him!”

  She fled the room, tears running down her face, sobbing wildly. Her parents turned to look at each other, confused and worried. Hamilton had no idea what she planned to do next.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  ELIZABETH DISAPPEARS

  ELIZABETH DISAPPEARS

  Later, the family was seated for dinner but Elizabeth’s seat was unoccupied. Anne and Hamilton shared worried looks. They looked up at the clock, which showed that it was half-past seven. They knew Elizabeth had gone off riding, but it was unlike her to be this late. Alexandra's place, too, was empty. She often dined later, joining the family when dinner had begun, but today her absence took on a new shade of significance.

  They were equally suspicious when Alexandra finally arrived, looking at the empty seat with satisfaction. She settled herself prettily in her seat, her face neutral.

  Frankie and David spoke up before anyone could say anything.

  “Where’s Lizzie?” they both asked at the same time.

  Hamilton and Anne both looked at Alexandra. She looked back innocently, raising her eyebrows. “Why do you look at me that way? It is not my fault our sister is late. Why ask me?”

  “Do you know where Elizabeth is, Alexandra?” Anne asked, her voice tense.

  Alexandra looked surprised. “How am I supposed to know where she is? I have not spoken to her since… earlier today.” She looked quickly away.

  “What did you say to her?” Hamilton asked. “Did you tell her what we told you earlier today?”

  “I have not seen her since you informed me of your decision.” Alexandra gave them both a rebellious look.

  “We know how you must feel, Alexa,” Anne said, using the gentlest voice she could. “But…”

  “You do not know how I feel, Mother. You were not rejected by the man you were hoping to marry.”

  “Alexa…”

  “I do not know where she is.” Alexandra prepared to take a spoonful of her soup. “I have said nothing to her.”

  Hamilton stood up. “Alexandra!” He sounded a little desperate. “I understand you are upset. But so are we. We are worried about your sister. I demand to know where Elizabeth may be, and what you may have said to her.”

  “I don’t know where she is, Father!” Alexandra replied. “I have said nothing to her!”

  “I do not believe you, my daughter.” His voice was quiet but he was clearly agitated and concerned.

  Alexandra stood up. “You think I have done something to her?” she said with a little laugh. “What could I possibly do? But she will not marry the duke, Father. She is not entitled to marry before me and not to the Duke of Athlone. That was to be my home! My future!”

  “You will tell me what you have done, Alexandra!” Hamilton said, voice shaking.

  “I have done nothing wrong!” She glared at him. “You are always concerned about Lizzie. You coddle her like she is a little child.”

  “Alexandra. Please,” Anne said desperately. “I will not have this quarrel in front of the children.”

  For their part, Frankie, David, and Camilla were all watching the events unfold with wide and frightened eyes. They did not know what was happening, clearly, but they did not like it one bit.

  “Come with me, Alexa,” her father said. “Come and tell me in my study. Your mother is right. We do not want to upset your siblings.”

  “Father! I’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “I wish I could believe you,” Hamilton said sadly. “But come to my study. We need to know, whatever it is. And immediately.”

  Alexandra looked at him as if seeing straight through him. She walked forward then, through the door, back held straight. He followed her as she went out and up the stairs.

  In the study, she turned to face Hamilton. Her voice was level. “You are unreasonable, Father. Why should my dinner be disturbed simply because Elizabeth did not return from her ride? It is unfair!”

  “So, you do know where she is?”

  “I do not know where she is! I merely saw her ride out earlier today.”

  “Did you speak to her before she went?”

  When Alexandra hesitated, she knew her father would know she had said something. She did not want to admit what she’d said. “I saw her leave. That’s all.”

  “You spoke to her, didn’t you?”

  “I may have talked to her,” she conceded grudgingly. “But I do not know where she is now.”

  Her father closed his eyes. “What have you done?”

  “Father! I have done nothing!”

  He opened the door. “Stay here. We need to find her now.” He ran a hand down his face, imagining a thousand awful things. What if she rode away? What if she was lost in the woods? Injured? What if... he refused to contemplate the thought that haunted him – she might have taken her own life.

  “Elizabeth will not marry the duke. He is mine to marry,” Alexa said thinly.

  “If you have interfered in some way and brought harm to your sister, I do not know what I will do.”

  “I have done nothing wrong!”

  “I do wish I could believe you. But I do not.”

  “I have done nothing!”

  Her insistence did nothing to reassure him.

  “Stay here.” He closed the door. He could hear her shouting from the other side, insisting she had no part in her sister's absence. He wished he could believe it.

  He ran quickly down the stairs, feeling desperate. His concern for Elizabeth grew with every passing moment. By the time he was back down in the dining room, the rest of the family was out of their seats. The children were by the large bay window, watching for any sign that Elizabeth might be coming back.

  “My lord, it is nearly eight o’clock,” Anne said tremulously. “The sun will be setting soon and she will be out there alone. Where do you think she could be?”

  Hamilton looked at his wife then turned his attention to his children.

  “Frank. Go and find Hammond the groom. Tell him to take my horse and fetch the Duke of Athlone at the inn. Tell him to pass on the message that Elizabeth has gone and we must find her.”

  Frankie turned to look at his father, his young face resolute, his worry somewhat mitigated by his pride that his father would trust him even with this small obligation.

  “Yes, Father.”

  “David. You will come to Boothe House with me to get Jonah. We will need his help. We must find Elizabeth before the night is out.”

  “Yes, Father.” David nodded crisply, voice stiff with pride in his father's trust in him.

  Both the boys left the room without another word, eyes shining.

  “What can I do, Father?” Camilla asked.

  “You must s
tay here with your mother. I am going with David. We must speak to the Boothes immediately.”

  When the butler at Boothe house, Mr. Anderson, answered their knock, Hamilton pushed his way in, dragging David with him. “We must speak to Lord Macefield.”

  “They are in the dining room, my lord. Please follow me.” If the man was shocked by this sudden intrusion, he gave no sign of it. His face was still and calm as ever as he efficiently did his work.

  Hamilton followed him swiftly down the passage, heart thudding with fear and his urgent need for haste. It was almost sunset and Elizabeth could be anywhere at all, facing dangers no one should have to face alone.

  They burst in to the dining room before the butler could announce them.

  Michael Boothe stood up when they entered. “Lord Westering. What has happened?” He looked as disturbed as Hamilton felt.

  “Elizabeth has gone missing,” he said at once. “We need Jonah to help us find her, if he can.”

  Jonah shot to his feet. “Elizabeth is missing?” His eyes were huge, face suddenly drained of color.

  “Yes. Do you know where she is?”

  “I might, my lord. Let me change for riding. I will help you find her.”

  He left the room without another word. The Boothes looked at Hamilton with confused concern.

  “Where do you think she might have gone? Why would she have left without telling anyone where she was going?”

  “I must tell you, Macefield,” Hamilton said in a firm voice. “We have decided to release Elizabeth from the marriage contract. I know you will not be pleased. I apologize for that. But other possibilities have arisen, and we have decided to follow a path that will spare Elizabeth untold misery.”

  Hamilton was surprised to see Lord Macefield share an amused look with his wife.

  “Jonah had a talk with us this evening, my lord. He is refusing to marry Elizabeth. He has chosen Lady Julia, daughter of Lord Hargrave, to be his bride. He made it clear to us that he has no intention of marrying your daughter, despite our contract. We agreed to let him break the contract and have been talking about how to bring this to your attention without causing harm to our family or to yours.”

  Hamilton licked his lips, a feeling of relief flowing through him. “Yes, I am pleased to hear that. But now, how will we let Elizabeth know about these decisions?”

  “You have no idea where she has gone?” The countess, too, was standing, her dark brown eyes huge and worried. She glanced out of the large window beside them, crossing to it as if she might be able to spot the young woman from there.

  “No, Countess, we have no idea. I am so pleased we have come to an agreement that will bring so much happiness to both our children,” he added, inclining his head in grateful thanks to her.

  “Not if we do not find your daughter.” Michael leaned down to place both hands on the table in front of him.

  Their elder son, Jonathan, spoke up, bringing all eyes in his direction. “Did Alexandra have something to do with this?”

  Hamilton narrowed his eyes. “We suspect she had words with Elizabeth before she left.”

  Jonathan shook his head. When he spoke, he directed his words to his mother and father. “I told you she would cause trouble. She is a very unhappy woman. She hates her sister in so many ways, it is impossible to count them.”

  Both of his parents stared at him.

  “Jonathan…” Susan said, clearly worried.

  Jonathan stood up, pushing his chair back so abruptly it nearly fell over. “Mother, I am sorry to speak so plainly. I just feel as if I could have prevented this – it is my fault! I knew she was going to cause some kind of trouble. I…”

  “That’s enough, Jon,” Susan said in a gentle voice. “We understand.”

  “I must apologize for disturbing all of you so rudely,” Hamilton said, deep regret coloring his words.

  “You must not apologize. We will find Elizabeth.” Michael looked at Hamilton. “You have no idea what might have happened?”

  “I suspect Alexandra has done something but she will not say.”

  “I think I know where she is.” Jonah came back in the room, his riding boots on and ready to go. “I’ll take you there. We must leave immediately. We must take lanterns.”

  “The Duke of Athlone is coming to join the search,” Hamilton replied. “At least, I have summoned him to do so. We will wait for him to arrive and then we will go in search of Elizabeth.”

  “If Daniel will join us, then he and I will go,” Jonah said determinedly. “If she sees too many people searching for her, she may become frightened.”

  “Do you think she would hide herself from her father?” Hamilton felt wounded.

  Jonah shook his head. “I apologize, my lord. I know Elizabeth. She would see a search party and hide to avoid embarrassment. You know how hesitant she is. Such public scenes would devastate her.”

  Hamilton sighed. “Yes, I suppose you are right.”

  “I will join you at the house. When Daniel arrives, he and I will find her and bring her to her house.”

  “Do you know where she is?”

  “I believe I do, yes.”

  “Then come with us. We will do it according to your plan, if you feel it is best.”

  As they left, Jonah swallowed hard. He felt sure Elizabeth would be at the pond oasis. He knew of no other place she might be.

  The thought that she was out there alone, not wanting to return, troubled Jonah. As they rode back to the Huntington mansion in the gathering darkness, Hamilton told Jonah the details, informing him of the earlier conversation with Daniel and of Alexandra’s violent reaction.

  “Alexandra had her heart set on leaving our home, getting married, and having a home of her own,” Hamilton explained, looking wounded.

  “She has wanted that for some time, my lord,” Jonah said. “It is her jealousy of her sister that has led to this.”

  “You believe you know where she has gone?”

  Jonah nodded. “Yes, my lord. I know where she has gone.”

  He hoped he was right. If she was not at the pond oasis, he would not know what to say or do. He only wanted to find her, no matter what the cost.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  THE SEARCH

  THE SEARCH

  As Jonah rode nearer to Huntington Manor, the storm broke. Lightning lit the night sky, followed soon after by a crack of thunder. The light silhouetted the countess and the three small children, Elizabeth's brothers and sister, where they stood on the terrace. Their postures were tense.

  Hamilton looked up at the dark sky, where clouds had begun to gather, fleet gray shapes against the sapphire of the evening. Riding alongside Jonah, he swiftly dismounted and ran the last ten feet to the steps; running up the stairs, taking them two at a time to embrace his wife. “Has she returned?”

  “No.” Anne was on the verge of tears. “The Duke of Athlone is inside, waiting for you. I told him to wait in the small parlor downstairs.”

  The men passed her by quickly. David stopped at his mother, throwing his arms around her waist. She hugged him to her, whispering words of consolation.

  Jonah and Hamilton were in the small parlor moments later. Hamilton strode quickly through the door with Jonah racing behind him to see Daniel standing inside, staring out through the large window.

  He turned to them. “Lord Westering. Elizabeth has gone missing?”

  Hamilton nodded. “I am afraid so.”

  Daniel turned his eyes to Jonah quickly. “Do you know where she is?”

  “I believe I do, yes.”

  “I knew you would. Then we must find her. Lead me to her. I must know that she is safe.”

  Hamilton sighed heavily. “I trust your judgment, young man. But do you think we should ask Alexa one last time if she knows anything of Elizabeth's whereabouts? She was the last person to see her anywhere, and...” He trailed off.

  Jonah swallowed, knowing that he did not want to say what Jonah himself was most worried a
bout. Alexa might have done something in a fit of jealous rage – something that might have harmed Elizabeth greatly.

  “I think it would be prudent to ask Alexandra, if you believe she has done something to keep Elizabeth from coming home,” Daniel said, his voice firm.

  Jonah caught his eye and nodded. They followed Hamilton through the door and up the stairs.

  Hamilton knocked on the door of Alexandra’s room. “Alexa!” He knocked again, listening for any sound from within. He paused and then turned the handle, opening the door. The room was dark inside.

  Hamilton raised the lamp from a nearby sconce and held it. His eyes widened. “She is not here.”

  Jonah felt his heart stop. “We must head to the pond at once. Right now!”

  As they ran back down the stairs, Daniel turned to him. “I thought you said no one else knew of the pond oasis besides the two of you?”

  “I was not aware that Alexa knew about it,” Jonah responded. “But that does not necessarily mean she didn’t. I have never seen her there. If she knows about it, Elizabeth could be in grave danger.”

  “Pond oasis?” Hamilton was confused, walking up alongside them as the three trotted briskly down the stairs and to the stables.

  “There is a pond in the middle of the woods, a place where Elizabeth and I have been going for years to be alone and talk,” Jonah explained. “We have never seen anyone there before. We did not think Alexa knew about it. But if she knew of it, she could have found Elizabeth there.”

  Hamilton stared at him, face white. “Do not tell the countess about this. Nor the children. I will stay with them. You two will go and find her as we planned. Bring her back, Jonah?” His voice wept.

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Both the men answered at the same time. They turned away and continued on to the front door, faces stiff with purpose, each carrying a lantern. Hamilton veered off to the dining room where the rest of his family was waiting.

  As they went to their horses, Daniel tried not to let his concern override his emotions. “Elizabeth does not know that she is going to be my bride.”