Don't Look Back

Chapter 24

Sidney was well into his first bottle of the night, momentarily cheered by both Babington and Crowe with Sir Radmore dealing them in.

"I saw Eliza still in town today." Crowe eyed his friend over his card.

Sidney grimaced and groaned. "Ah, the woman is intending on at least staying for the cricket match." he looked to Babington. "I am sure she does not wish to miss the spectacle Lady Babington is managing," he said glossing comfortably over the fact that the reason she had not left was likely more dependent on where Lord Sellac would be.

Lord Babington nodded. "Yes, my wife has been recruiting women to play against the men."

Mr. Crowe laughed. "Against the men!" he looked to Sidney. "Do you know if the plucky Miss Heywood is going to be upstanding?" he smiled. "She was quite the rousing entertainment five years ago."

Sidney was silent on the matter as Charlotte's name was dropped by Crowe.

Lord Babington nodded. "Yes, and it seems my wife has suddenly remembered it and wishes that there be some scandal with pitting the women against the men. From what I hear a few of them have been practicing for weeks." he rolled his eyes. "Esther has been complaining about her sore shoulder and back now for days. I do fear she will injure herself."

Sir Radmore smiled. "You do not tell her to not?" he asked.

Babington scoffed. "Tell my wife to not?" he laughed now brightly. "Sir you do not know my wife."

Sidney smiled. "Lady Babington has always had spirit."

Sir Radmore smiled. "I know Miss Lambe intends to play, though I do think her more suited."

Suddenly there was a loud noise as the men looked up from the table. It was Georgiana and her face looked very grave. She weaved her way hurriedly to Sir Radmore.

Sidney stood worried. "What is it Georgiana?" he asked her.

She flashed him a concerned eye and gestured to the corner for more privacy

"Miss Heywood has not been seen for hours and it is long past the hour since she should have returned," Georgiana said breathlessly since she had just heard from Lady Susan's manservant that she was missing.

Sidney went for his coat in a rush. "Where was she last seen?" he asked abruptly.

Georgiana shook her head. "The last anyone saw she was on the beach, but she could have gone anywhere since then."

"It is dark out, how will she be found?" Mr. Crowe asked.

Sidney shook his head and burst from the card room.

Sir Radmore and Mr. Crowe were close behind.

Georgiana looked to Lord Babington and swallowed.

"They will find her won't they?" she asked.

Babington reached for his drink and nodded. "I do believe they will. Come, go find your ease while I catch up to the other men. They will need many eyes out there combing the sands."

Just beyond them, Lord Sellac listened with a keen ear to the gossip.

Sidney fetched his horse and bridled him but did not bother with a saddle, and it was there Lord Babington caught up.

"Steady on Sidney, we will find her," he noted the anxious way he was haltering the horse and it was making the beast skittish.

Sidney took a deep breath and nodded meaningfully at him.

Within moments four men left the stable and raced down different stretches of the beach with torches above their heads. Men were already out combing the beach and surrounding cliffs.

Miles down Sidney saw Lord Babington Reign in his horse.

"I think we should turn round. I do not think she would have come this far," he said looking back. "On foot, this is a vast distance."

Sidney shook his head. "She is an excellent walker. She could have gone a few more miles yet. We can search more thoroughly on our way back. I wish to press on."

Sir Radmore nodded. "I will go with you."

Crowe nodded. "I would press on too. But surely she could have not gone much farther." he looked up. "The weather is turning. I feel a wet night is coming on."

Sidney turned. "I will press on."

Crowe turned his horse and started a slower jaunt as he searched the more rocky areas as he went the direction of Lord Babington and the town.

It was a while later he found Babington's horse.

"Crowe, I found her!" he shouted. "She is alive, but she is very cold."

Mr. Crowe pulled his heavy jacket off and went to his friend's side. "Oh I Miss Heywood, I would not have thought you of all women would be so foolish." he chided gently as her teeth chattered and she scoffed.

"I was high up on the cliffs when I saw you all ride by." she chattered. "I was trying to take a short cut back using the road. It is easier to walk than he sand, and the wind is not so fierce there."

Lord Babington nodded. "And there is chance that a rider could come upon you on the road." he nodded. "Sensible I suppose," he said. "Come let us get you to a warm fire, and a glass of brandy to warm you."

She nodded gratefully.

"Mr. Crowe, you take her on your horse if you are not too drunk," he said.

Mr. Crowe nodded. "Strangely I am abnormally sober at the moment. I had not the time to get too deep into my cups tonight."

Babington nodded. "Good good. I will go alert the others that she has been found before they cause injury to those horses."

Mr. Crowe gathered Charlotte to him as he helped her to stand. "Can you get up on the horse?"

She nodded. "I will need help," she said seeing it was without a saddle.

He nodded. "We shall use this boulder."

Once settled Mr. Crowe carefully held her with one arm and the reigns with the other.

"Now hold tight Miss Heywood, we shall be riding hard," he said with a slight note of either seduction or teasing. She could not tell.