“Heavens, look at the time. We must go.” Faith had not returned from her walk. After inspecting Charity’s latest painting and hearing Mercy’s latest remedy for toothache, Vaughn and Sibella took their leave. They mounted their horses. “Faith’s been gone a long time.” Vaughn frowned. “I’ll ride out and see if I can find her.” “I must get back for baby John,” Sibella said. “He gives nurse a good deal of trouble at bath time, if John or I aren’t there.” John and Sibella’s first child, Auberon William John Haldane, heir to the marquisate, was already making his presence felt within the family. “Another Freddie in the making?” He grinned. “I’ll escort you onto Brandreth land.” Once Sibella was safely heading for home, Vaughn turned his horse. What direction would Faith take? Lady Baxendale had said Faith often returned by the lane. There was no sign of her now. Suddenly afraid for her, Vaughn guided his horse to where the lane met the road through the woodland, which led to the next township.
