Chapter Seventeen
Leyton Barrett stood at the front window, staring out into the darkness, his thoughts, as always, turned toward Bryony. She was his youngest, and his favorite, and everyone knew it.
Of course, he loved his other two children with all his heart, but there was something about Bryony, some spark, that set her apart.
She had always been able to wheedle anything she wanted out of him, from ballet slippers to velvet ribbons, puppies and ponies.
He had feared spoiling her would make Eli and Veronica jealous of their younger sister, but they, too, had pampered her.
With ten years between Bryony and Veronica, Bryony had been everyone’s baby. Everyone’s favorite child.
He slammed his fist against the wall. He should never have insisted that she marry Timothy Bloodworth.
But he and Bloodworth were in business together and while they weren’t close friends, Leyton had accepted Bloodworth’s suit.
Bloodworth was a decent man with a large estate and a sizeable income that would allow him to take good care of Bryony.
His only desire had been to see Bryony wed to a man who could provide for her.
His other two children had made suitable matches.
A wealthy young man was courting Veronica.
Eli had recently proposed to the daughter of Leyton’s best friend.
Months had passed with no word of her whereabouts since Eli had seen her at the theater.
He had hired more men to search for her but to no avail. It was as if she had disappeared from the face of the earth. What good was wealth and position if he couldn’t find his baby girl?
Where could she be?
If only he could turn back time. If only Bryony would come home, he would give her a generous dowry and let her marry whoever the hell she pleased.