While Lucy sortedthrough her clothes in her bedchamber, a maid knocked to inform her Lady Sarah waited below to see her.
Lucy entered the drawing room, where Lady Sarah, dressed in her riding habit, tapped her crop against her skirts as she stood before the fireplace. She turned and pressed her hands to her chest. “Miss Kershaw, I am so pleased to have found you at home.”
“How nice to see you, Lady Sarah. Will you stay for tea?”
Lady Sarah shook her head firmly. “No, there’s no time to. I need your help. Now, if that’s possible.”
“I’m happy to be of assistance, if you’ll just tell me what—”
“I’m sorry that this is dreadfully rushed,” Lady Sarah rushed to explain. “But if you have nothing planned for this morning, will you join me for a ride in the park?”
Surprised, and a little alarmed by Lady Sarah’s manner, Lucy sought for a way to calm her and get to the bottom of her anxiety. “Certainly, if you wish me to. But please sit for a moment.”
Lady Sarah perched on the edge of the sofa, her eyes restlessly viewing the room. “Lord Cardew has written. He wishes to see me in Hyde Park today. Alone.”
Lucy sat beside her. “Did he say why?”
“No, but Hugh will be so cross with me if I go by myself. That’s why I need you to accompany me.”
“I am happy to, but won’t Lord Cardew be annoyed to find me with you?”
“Perhaps.” She gripped her hands together. “It doesn’t matter. I need you. Will you come?”
“Of course I will.”
Lady Sarah jumped up. “Thank you, Miss Kershaw. I knew you wouldn’t let me down. I cannot tell Mama about this, and I can’t trust my maid. She is sure to give in to questioning. Mama is suffering from yet another headache. I’ll wait while you change into your habit. My groom will accompany us.”
When Lucy told Aunt Mary, her aunt smiled and nodded. “You are becoming bosom friends with Lady Sarah.”
Lucy thought about her aunt’s assumption while Maisie helped her dress for riding. She liked to think it was true.
As their horses trotted down Rotten Row, the groom trailing well behind, Lord Cardew rode out of the trees, a scowl on his face. He drew his horse close to Sarah’s. “I asked you to come alone, Sarah.”
“That would not have been wise,” Lady Sarah said. “What is it you wish to talk to me about, Lord Cardew?”
“Come a little way into the park with me. Miss Kershaw will wait here with the groom. Won’t you, Miss Kershaw?”
“I will do what Lady Sarah wishes,” Lucy said, determined not to be browbeaten.
Lady Sarah’s smile was strained. She ordered the groom to stay with Lucy. “I’ll only be a few minutes, Miss Kershaw. We won’t venture far.”
While she waited, Lucy rode her horse slowly down the Row, then back to the spot where Lady Sarah had disappeared with Lord Cardew. About fifteen minutes had passed, and then that stretched to twenty. The groom approached her, looking anxious.
“What should we do, Miss Kershaw? It’s more than my life is worth to go home without Lady Sarah.”
“I’m sure that won’t be the case. She is with a gentleman of long standing.” Lucy peered anxiously into the park. “But we must keep this to ourselves,” she said, gazing sternly at the groom.
Another five minutes passed. Lord Dorchester had asked her to look out for Lady Sarah. It had seemed strange at the time, but now she understood. While considering what to do next, three men cantered down the Row. One of them broke away and rode over to her. Mr. Beaufort raised his hat. “Miss Kershaw. You seem to be alone. Is anything wrong?”
Lucy took a moment to think. Should she involve him in this? She was in a quandary. But she had no option. “I am waiting for Lady Sarah. She rode into the park with Lord Cardew and was only to be gone for a few minutes. But it’s now closer to half an hour.”
He stared at her, concern in his eyes. “Which way did they go?”
“They rode through there.” She pointed with her crop to the break in the trees.
“Then let’s go and find them, shall we?” He turned back to the groom. “Wait here, please.”
“Why not bring the groom?” Lucy asked him as they rode away from Rotten Row.