P. A. Featherington

(15) The Search

"Your Majesty, Queen Charlotte. I come in desperation. Please will you help me find my daughter. It has been months. I fear for her safety" Portia started to plead for help once more "Please"

"Lady Featherington. After your visit the first time some weeks ago. I have sent my best men to search for her. All we know is that she was not seen. Meaning, that she possibly, did not want to be seen"

Portia looked crestfallen "I am a terrible mother!"

"All mothers believe the same thing. You are doing all you can and so are we. The moment I hear anything, trust me, I will inform you"

Portia nodded. But in truth, she knew. She had failed her more than once. How could she be so cruel. She had already lost her father.

She curtsied "Thank you, your majesty"

Lady Featherington left.

Brimsley choked a little. The Queen looked at him "For a young girl who has not made any large dent in the ton. She sure has a lot of love from her family and the Bridgertons. Perhaps, when she returns. No one should overlook her again"

"Would you like to carry on the search, your majesty?"

"I do. how one young lady's departure can cause so much pain. It is horrid to watch, is it not?"

"Yes, your majesty"

She gave a slight smirk "Send a miniature to all towns close by. Any piers and any coastal towns. Find Miss Featherington" The Queen leant back sulking at their efforts so far being for naught.

Brimsley looked hurt for the Queen "Yes, your majesty" he had a hint of a tremble in his usual direct tone.

Just as directed posters were made from her miniature. Her face on every town from London up to Scotland. The world had changed significantly. Lady Violet Bridgerton made a routine of visiting the Featherington house once a week to sit with Portia. Calm her nerves. Even her sisters had grown quiet. Philipa and Mr Finch returned more often than most to the house to comfort their mama.

Portia, one night sat in Penelope's room. Crying pure anguish on her bed. She was furious. Not at Penelope, but at herself. Portia threw all the books from Pen's desk and leant on the wal her cries painfull. as she slid down the wall. sitting on the ground with a thump.

Something caught her eye. The rug wasn't quite flat. She crawled over to it. Removing the rug. She found loose floorboards underneath.

She curiously removed the boards. Underneath was a large space with copies of Whistledown and a collection of books. She opened one of the books, then another, then another. They had a hole in each one. Enough for coins.

How long have you been planning to leave, my dear child. How long? Penelope could have been saving all her life, to leave. How naive was I to believe that how my daughters spoke to her, how I spoke to her. Would not effect her. What a fool I am.

Eloise went with her mother to visit Lady Featherington.

"Miss Eloise, I was not expecting you"

"Lady Featherington" El looked at her mother "I intend to find clues. May I see her room"

"Of course Miss Bridgerton, help yourself"

Violet reached for Portia's hand as they walked in the drawing room. "Have you heard word from the Queen?"

Portia shook her head. "I am sorry Portia" Varley poured the tea. She smiled at Violet who had visited so often. Unlike anyone other family in the ton that seemed to have forgotten about her altogether.

Varley looked to Violet "Has young Colin heard anything, Pen enjoyed their correspondence when he travelled"

Violet looked heart stricken "He has not. He is broken up about Miss Penelope's disappearance that he has barely left his room. He cancelled all his travels until he knew she was home"

Varley nodded "He is a good friend to her. I don't know any man that would stop travelling because of concern for a young lady"

"Like you said Mrs Varley, he is a good friend. He cares for her a great deal" Violet didn't even realise the significance until that moment. Perhaps, he was in love with her. It wasn't that far fetched. He always seem to dance with her, drag her into rooms to be alone, write to her. How did she not put the pieces together before. "He loves her" she didn't realise she spoke out loud.

"I beg your pardon, Violet. I did not catch that"

"Erm. Nothing. I just so miss her terribly" She noted Varley looking back at her with a glimpse in her eye. She knew of it too. If she loved him back. Then whyever would she leave?

Mrs Varley passed a plate of cakes to Violet and Portia.

Portia forced a smile "I never said thank you"

"Portia?"

"For visiting me. You really do not need to. I just want you to know how much it is appreciated"

Violet spoke cautiously "I would like to think, if the roles were reversed, that you would give me the same courtesy"

Portia reached for her hand "Indeed, Lady Bridgerton"

"I know we have never been close" Violet smiled warmly "But motherhood binds us all women whether we wish for it or not. I do care for you Portia and what you are going through is too much for me to imagine. You are strong. Your other girls need that right now"

Portia smiled "You are correct. I am a horrid mother"

"You are not. Circumstances change us all. Everyone has a story to tell. Mine was full of love and grief, but that is mine. We are all individual. Whatever and whomever you are as a mother is reflected on how, yourself was treated. Don't fault yousef, on the pains of the past. You love your girls. Don't ever for one moment think you are not enough, I could not bare it"

"I can see how my daughter loves to visit your home so much. We are opposites Lady Bridgerton. You are correct though, our past makes us who we are. When she returns, I wish to do better"

"I will help, whatever you need"