Chapter 21

After doing the rounds as host of the ball Jude looked round for Audrey. He longed for some quiet time to talk, tell her again how he felt, and plan for the future. He didn't regret declaring his love before the ball, and their dance would be a memory of a sealed love all his life.

He'd finally come to realize the importance of the value his father had placed on family. His parents had loved each other, and created a family based on that love. That was what he wanted with Audrey, and Sasha would be part of that family, living here at Clairville.

He came across Mrs. Weston in the great hall looking for Audrey. Most of the guests had settled to take an early breakfast and the orchestra played gentle music as the ball drew to a gradual close.

"I'm looking for Audrey. She went off to look for the twins and I haven't seen her since," said Franny.

His mother joined them. "Jude. Is something wrong?"

Jude felt a moment of anxiety, realizing Audrey may have been missing for some time. "It's Audrey she went to look for the twins and hasn't returned."

At that moment the twins came running into the great hall. "Mama, Jude, we were watching the dancing from the clearing near the terrace. We saw two men capture Audrey and take her to a carriage."

Mrs. Weston spoke quietly. "I thought I caught a glimpse of the Earl of Cheshire earlier, just fleetingly in the distance. Iconvinced myself I was mistaken. Now I wish I'd said something. I suspect he has taken Audrey."

Jude put aside his fear and focused on what needed to be done. "Mama, can you find one of the footmen and ask them to find Barton and saddle my horse. I need Robert and Daniel to come with me."

"I'll find them for you," said his mother, and raced off to raise an alert.

At that moment Mrs. Driscoll and Rosie appeared and Mrs. Weston told them what had happened. "Can you let Lady Alice and Lady Mary know they are in charge of guests leaving and making sure the ball ends discreetly and happily for Elspeth."

She continued without taking a breath "Mrs. Driscoll and Rosie, you need to help her ladyship and I change out of our ball gowns and into travelling clothes. We will be leaving within the hour to travel to Rowton Castle. It is likely that Lady Audrey has been kidnapped by her brother. It is too complicated to explain and you're just going to have to do what I ask."

Barton stormed into the great hall, and they all stopped to stare. "The story Miss Grace and Miss Jane told you is quite true. One of the footmen we hired for the ball thought it would be an easy way to earn extra money. He helped a gentleman to retrieve his sister from the clutches of our household. He was given six shillings for his services. One of the grooms found him returning from the carriage and he confessed all. He's in the tack room waiting for the constable to arrive.

"Well at least we know who we're dealing with. We must follow the Earl of Cheshire to Rowton Castle," said Jude with quiet determination.

"We're coming with you," said his mother who had returned with Barton.

"Mama no. Certainly not."

"I won't take no for an answer. Mrs. Weston and I will follow in the carriage. I've already sent for it. Audrey will need us, and she can hardly return on horseback with you." His mother turned to Barton. "I want my late husband's shot gun and dress sword. I shall take them with me in the carriage." She paused, turning to Mrs. Driscoll, "Would you like to join us or stay here? I know you had the best archery skills in the county as a girl and I'd be glad to have you in the carriage."

"Very well, Ma'am. I don't need to change. I can assist you and we can be ready to set off in thirty minutes."

"Rosie, tell Nurse Walters what has happened. I don't want Sasha to be alarmed when she wakes in the morning. She can keep to her routine with Nurse and then make cookies with cook."

As the guests began to leave the ball the rescue party gathered in the boot room. Jake had ridden ahead to secure a change of horses at the coaching inns along the route to Rowton Castle. Robert, Barton, and a group of footmen would ride together. Daniel, conscious as always of legal matters would wait to speak to the Constable and go with him to raise an alert to the kidnapping.

"I know you want to rescue Audrey, but it will do no good for you to storm a castle without any legal back up, and find yourself in jail on a charge," cautioned Daniel. "I know you don't want to listen to me, but you have to."

"He's right Jude," added his mother. "We have to do this legally."

Soon after dawn, the men on horseback left for the long journey to Rowton Castle. Jude looked back at the carriage, trundling behind, falling into the distance where his mother, Mrs. Weston and Mrs. Driscoll followed.

He knew the carriage was loaded with blankets, cold cuts of meat and cheese from the ball, and flagons of cognac so the three ladies were well provided for. There was also a change of clothes and a warm woolen cloak for Audrey.