Chapter 33

The following morning, James awoke with a start, slumped in the armchair in his study. The first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a pale light over the room. He rubbed his eyes, feeling the stiffness in his neck from having slept in such an awkward position. Disoriented, he took a moment to gather his thoughts, the events of the previous night flooding back to him.

He pushed himself up from the chair, running a hand through his disheveled hair. Determined to get answers, he decided to freshen up before setting out. As he splashed cold water on his face and changed into clean clothes, his mind raced with possibilities. He had to find Penelope, and his best lead was Adeline, who might have some insight as to where Penelope could have disappeared off to. If Penelope was to contact anyone or tell someone anything, it would be her.

He had no idea if Adeline would even speak to him, especially after the argument he and Penelope had had. Or if her parents would allow that. There were so many unknowns in this equation, but he knew he had to start somewhere. He couldn't believe that Penelope would just leave like that, without a word. She didn't strike him as such a person. While it was true that she'd ended up in a nunnery, he couldn't believe that she had ever done anything even remotely deserving of being locked up.

Her family, on the other hand, seemed more than odd. He had met them only a handful of times, but he never got the impression that the mother and the father loved all three daughters equally which was even more strange. Penelope seemed to be the one they cared least about, and that made him furious at such an injustice. That was why he knew that something wasn't right. Things weren't fitting into this puzzle the way they were supposed to, and he knew that he had to find Penelope and speak to her, even if this was the last time he did so. The truth would set them both free whether it was on a joined path of marriage or separately.

Just as he was about to call and have the carriage readied, a knock on the door interrupted him in this plan.

"Come in," he called out, glancing at the door and expecting his grandfather. However, it was Milligan.

"Good morning, Your Grace, I apologize for the intrusion, but there is a visitor here for you," Milligan announced.

"A visitor?" James echoed. Although it wasn't very early in the morning, James wasn't expecting any visitors.

"It is Her Grace's sister," Milligan replied, as if he could read James' mind and knew that he was wondering about the identity of this unannounced visitor.

Instantly, James wanted to ask which sister, but the very fact that Milligan recognized her meant only one thing. It was the sister who had already come to their home which could only be Adeline.

"Bring her to the drawing room, Milligan," James replied, feeling a surge of anticipation and concern. "I'll meet her there momentarily."

Milligan nodded and hurried off, leaving James with a few moments to himself to regain his senses. He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes. Then, he rushed out of his study and headed to the drawing room. The moment he opened the door, he could see that Adeline was standing by the window. She wasn't sitting, and he could immediately see why. The concern in her eyes was visible from a mile away. She walked over to him as she silently cracked the fingers of one hand with the other.

"Your Grace," she said with a trembling voice. "Good morning… I am so sorry to barge in like this, but I needed to speak to you."

"No, no, it's fine, Adeline," he assured her, offering a seat. "Please."

She hesitated for a moment then she sat down. Her eyes were wide, darting in all directions, as if she were afraid that someone might overhear them. He wanted to tell her that he had the same intention of coming to see her, but he bit his tongue. He wanted to hear what she had come to say.

"May I offer you something?" he asked, not forgetting his manners. "Some tea?"

"No, no," she shook her head. "I won't be taking up much of your time; I… I just came to tell you something…"

"What?" he asked eagerly, taking a seat opposite her and leaning closer. He could see that she hesitated to commence, so he tried to reassure her. "Anything you say here, Adeline, will remain between us. I promise you."

She locked her gaze with his gratefully. That was exactly what she needed to hear.

"All right," she nodded, inhaling deeply. "I woke up early this morning as I couldn't sleep. Like you, I hadn't spoken to Penelope right before all of this happened, but I just couldn't escape the feeling that something was wrong."

"I know," he interrupted her but then bit his tongue. "I'm sorry, please… go on."

She smiled weakly, but that was enough of a reassurance for them both to know that they were on the same side. They were allies in this search for Penelope, and it made James hopeful that they would find her, wherever she was.

"So, while everyone was still asleep, I went downstairs to the kitchen, hoping to find someone and have an early breakfast, and I overheard two servants whispering." That was where she paused, looking down at her hands which rested nervously in her lap, her fingers twitching. It took her a moment to continue, but he didn't push her. If she needed time to process this information and then to share it, he would give it to her.

Finally, she continued, "One of the servants said that she saw something… something terrible. I… I still can't believe it. She said that she was looking out the window at the exact moment when Penelope was arguing with Vanessa, and that Vanessa… that she… pushed Penelope into a carriage with instructions to the coachman to take her back to St. Catherine's."

"The nunnery?" he asked, remembering Penelope's story.

"Yes," Adeline nodded desperately, her eyes wide and brimming with tears. "I barged in, demanding an explanation. You see, Elizabeth has been with us for years, and she has been nothing but loyal, so I doubt that she would fabricate something as dreadful and terrifying as that. So, I asked her if she perhaps mistook Vanessa for someone else. After all, it was dark. I was hoping that she didn't see it right, but she assured me that she was close enough not only to see everything but to hear it clearly as the window was slightly open to allow some fresh air into that room."

"She was certain it all happened exactly like that?" James inquired gently. He could see how shaken Adeline was, and he understood her perfectly. His own mind was racing with the implications of what he had just heard and what that would mean for everyone involved.

"Yes," Adeline nodded. "She swore to me on her mother's life. And her mother is the only person she has. She would never lay such a claim unless it were true."

"I see," James sighed, getting up and sliding his fingers through his hair anxiously. "Did you tell your parents this?"

"I rushed back to my room, in an effort to steady myself, because I knew I had to confront Vanessa and tell them what I've learned. So during breakfast, I told my parents the entire story. It was the most difficult thing I ever had to do, and my heart was breaking."

"And? What did they say?" he asked, breathlessly awaiting her answer.

"They were in shock as you would expect," she continued. "But Vanessa denied everything, and as always, they chose to believe her over me. They always believe her. They said that Penelope probably ran away because she was unhappy with you and saw this as a way out without having to explain anything."

James shook his head. He couldn't believe that to be true, not after what they shared, not after the gift she had bestowed upon him.

"But I know that's not true," Adeline echoed his own thoughts, giving them a voice. "I've spoken to Penelope, and I know that she wasn't unhappy with you. On the contrary, she saw this place as her new home, and you and your grandfather as her family. She wouldn't have run away. I am absolutely certain of it."

James smiled. "Thank you for those words, Adeline. I have been wrestling with my own mind, with my own heart, wondering if I have done or said anything to push her away, and I know I have. We had that horrible argument right before she disappeared, and I couldn't help but blame myself for all of this. That is why I have taken it upon myself to find her, but I didn't know where to start."

"You know where she is now," she reminded him. "Vanessa sent her away to St. Catherine's. And the nuns there… they are more cruel than you could ever imagine. You have to go there and bring her back."

James nodded. "That is exactly what I shall do."

"And I will come with you," she announced.

She stood up. He could see the determination and strength in her; someone so young, so loving, and so protective of her sister. He admired her, but he knew that he couldn't take her with him.

"No," he shook his head tenderly, walking over to her and taking her by the hand. In this moment, she was not only Penelope's sister but his sister as well. "I can't let you do that. It might be dangerous. I don't know what will happen, and I can't worry about you as well. You have done your part, and I will be forever in your debt for it. But now, you have to go home and pretend that everything is all right. We can't have anyone suspect that I know or that I am on my way there. Do you understand?"

She nodded silently. That was all she needed to do.

"I will bring your sister back, I promise," he assured her, letting go of her hand and rushing to get the carriage ready.

On the way up the stairs, he stumbled into Grandfather, who stared at him in shock. "Where are you rushing off to, James?" he asked, his eyes wide as he endeavored to figure out what was going on. "Is the house on fire?" he added in a playful tone as he always did, not realizing the gravity of the situation.

"Not quite, Grandfather," James said without stopping. "I have to go and get Penelope. Her own sister sent her back to that horrible nunnery."

His grandfather's eyes widened in surprise. James knew that he probably had a million questions, but this was neither the time nor the place to ask them. The wise man that he had always been, he didn't ask a question, but rather merely stated an opinion.

"I will come with you, James," his grandfather said in a tone that did not allow for any backtalk. "I know I am of little help, but I can't let you go on your own."

James smiled at his offer. Having such support was priceless, especially at a time like this. However, he felt that this was something he needed to do on his own.

"No, grandfather. I told Adeline the same when she offered," James explained, hoping that his grandfather would understand. "I have to do this on my own."

"No," his grandfather replied sternly. "Penelope is like a granddaughter to me, like my own blood. Even if I am only to wait in the carriage, I will come. And this is where our discussion ends."

James locked eyes with his grandfather, and he knew it was the truth. He could also see how much the man cared about Penelope, how much they all cared about her and wanted her back, safe and sound, where she belonged.

James sighed, nodding. "All right. The carriage will be ready in five minutes."

"In that case, I will be ready in four," Grandfather nodded, heading down the stairs without another word.

Exactly five minutes later, the carriage rumbled through the gates of James' estate, the horses' hooves clapping against the cobbled streets, passing by houses and people until the city was nothing but a memory left behind. The green countryside opened its arms wide to welcome them. James knew that it would take them hours to reach their destination. Impatience and anger gnawed at him, but every time he glanced in the direction of his grandfather, the man would smile reassuringly, offering a silent nod.

That was enough to remind him that he was exactly where he needed to be. Fate wouldn't allow him to fail.