Hope for the Hopeless

The day after the night before

Richard was frantic when he woke up and Sophie's maid came to find him to say that Sophie wasn't in her bed.

The fear that he felt as he called for Charlie through the large London home was intense. He had to wonder if she'd been kidnapped, or hurt, or a hundred other horrible thoughts.

Charlie came out of his room looking bleary eyed and confused with his robe on "what ever is the matter father...?"

"Sophie is gone, she's not in her room, she's not in the house..."

"What... is... where is she?" he asked automatically going into panic mode himself

"Beggin' your pardon Lord Penwood, Lord Fastow" came the voice of George their stable hand "But Lady Gunningworth's 'orse ain't in the stables... her mount is 'ere but her 'orse ain't, per'aps she's out riding... but th' door weren't locked and I did lock it las'night i's sure of it "

"Not at this time but it's possible she's gone somewhere..." Richard said "George have the carriage hitched and ask Henry to come see me, I want him to go to Violet's with a letter on the swiftest horse we've got, they need to be told and Benedict needs to be informed if something has happened to Sophie" he said "and send Kingsley upstairs, I need to dress. Charlie if you're coming to Number 5 and Bridgerton House then go get dressed" he said to his son.

Charlie ran back to his room to dress as Richard penned a note to Violet, to explain the situation, knowing she was an early riser, so she'd been able to wake Benedict and they'd be able to resolve the situation.

Richard assumed that Sophie wouldn't have gone far, unless she'd been kidnapped and as he had no idea what Charlie, Anthony and Simon had done or said to the letch that attacked Sophie, he was worried that he'd broken in and kidnapped her on her own horse...

~*~

Violet was in a bit of a state of shock when the messenger arrived, frantic with a note about Sophie. The rest of the family were still in bed and she was enjoying her first cup of tea of the morning when Wickham had come in with the agitated looking messenger, but the moment she'd read the note, she knew why.

"I'll go to Benedict, Wickham, Lord Penwood and Lord Fastow will arrive sometime in the next 30 minutes, ensure there is breakfast waiting for them if I am not back from Benedict's, send Marie upstairs, I must dress quickly and go see my son and we can find her" she said quickly

And 10 minutes later, with a dress haphazardly thrown on, her hair not as neat as it usually was and grateful that her neighbours were not early birds, especially on a Sunday, she dashed to Benedict's.

He had minimal staff as it was his bachelor pad, or at least was for another 48 hours before Sophie would reside there with him and more staff would start.

The butler answered the door "Lady Bridgerton, the master is still in bed..." he said, a little shocked, having had no idea of their late night visitor.

"It's not a problem Graves, you go get yourself ready, I shall go to my son, it is not the first time I have woken him up" Violet said sweetly.

The new butler looked torn, knowing it was his duty to inform his master of guests but as he had no idea that Benedict was not alone in his bed, he figured there would not be any harm in the matter so nodded "very well mi'lady" he bowed and watched as she practically ran up the stairs.

Violet had a horrible feeling that Benedict was going to lose his mind thinking Sophie had been kidnapped, she was so consumed in wondering how she would comfort her son who had only just realised that he was in love with his best friend that she did not expect the scene in front of her.