Chapter 29
He tossed the letter aside grimly, and stared at the table, set for breakfast. Two extra places had been laid out as a matter of course one for Ursula, and one for his mother. Both were empty. Margaret had not come down to breakfast yet.
She also had not left, or begun to pack her things, according to Richards. Graham had noticed this and was not pleased.
Mother has something to do with Ursula’s departure, I’m sure of it.
He glanced over at the breakfast spread once more and shuddered. Even the notion of eating made him feel nauseous. Rising from the table, Graham left the room at once.
He went into the parlour, not entirely sure what he was looking for. A clue, maybe? Ursula and Georgie had gone into the parlour, Richards had said, and soon after had rung the bell. Ruthie had gone to answer it, and moments later she was up in her mistress’ room, packing her things, white-faced.
Graham was glad, at least, that Ruthie had chosen to go with Ursula. A viscountess should never be without her ladies’ maid.
A flutter of paper on the floor caught his eye, and he bent to retrieve it. It was a letter, a crumpled one, discarded on the carpet. Another inch or two, and it would have been hidden underneath the sofa.
As soon as he picked it up, Graham recognized the handwriting. His blood turned cold.