Free Simon's Brides by Allison Knight

Ellie is right. You know how she is.”
     
    “Beth’s not in her room,” Amy informed them.
     
    “Oh, dear,” Caro said, “Then, where could she be?”
     
    Amy’s stomach dropped. She dashed up the stairs and checked each room on that floor, but Beth was not in any of them. She hurried back to the study.
     
    “Dora?” she questioned, trying to keep the worry from her voice, “Have you seen Beth?”
     
    Dora glanced up from stacking books, “Not since we left the cottage. Right after the wagon tilted, Beth mentioned she’d forgotten her threads. She said she would only be a minute. Then, we all rushed to help Chester. We were so busy saving the things on the wagon, I forget to check on her. But, I’m sure she’s here.”
     
    A chill shaft of fear splintered through Amy. Could something have happened that she didn’t know about?
     
    Dora asked, “Did you check her room?”
     
    “First thing. There’s no sign that she’s been there. Caro and Ellie haven’t seen her.” Real anguish clutched at Amy. Her heart sank and a tight, ugly feeling settled in her stomach. Somehow, she knew Beth wasn’t at the manor. But, what could have happened to her timid sister?
     
    “Dora, you stay here.”
     
    She summoned Caro and Ellie to the library.
     
    “I’ll get Simon,” Amy whispered and ran from the room.
     
    She found him sitting by Harold’s door with David beside him. Both men stood as Amy charged toward them.
     
    “My Lord, I must speak to you,” she demanded, amazed that seeing him didn’t seem to affect her at all.
     
    Simon nodded to David and followed Amy as she ran down the steps. He hurried after her and when they reached the main level, she turned. Gripping her hands in front of her dress and trying hard to prevent her voice from shaking, she whispered, “Something has happened to Beth. We can’t find her.”
     
    “Bethany?”
     
    “Yes. Dora said once we started home, Beth mentioned that she had left something at the cottage. That she would be but a minute. However, none of us have seen her since we arrived here. There’s no indication she’s been to her room.”
     
    “Could she have remembered other things she might have wanted to bring? Or, perhaps she found something at the cottage to delay her?”
     
    Amy shook her head. She felt the panic raising.
     
    “Beth is--she is retiring. She would never have stayed behind at the cottage by herself. If she had suspected she might be delayed, she would have asked one of us to return with her.”
     
    “Then, I’d better look for her.”
     
    She shook her head. Not by himself. He didn’t understand. Something was wrong. She could feel it. Beth would never have stayed at the cottage by herself. Someone, or something, must have detained her.
     
    She watched Simon hurry toward the kitchen where Chester and Clifford ate their evening meal. Amy didn’t wait for him. She dashed to the library.
     
    “I’m going with Simon. You all stay here. And, don’t worry. We’ll find her.” Amy stumbled from the room, a silent prayer on her lips.
     
    Of course, Simon might object to her accompanying him, but she didn’t care. She intended to be at his side when he left the house. She dashed for her room for a shawl.
     
    “Wait one moment, dearie,” Agatha stepped into Amy’s path.
     
    “Oh, Aunt Agatha, not now.”
     
    Agatha ignored Amy’s comment, laying a hand on Amy’s arm.
     
    “Now, Amelia. It is Amelia, isn’t it? I will have to learn your names. You must tell me where you have been and where you are going. Oh, and I must remind you that ladies do not run. And, my dear, your color is not good.”
     
    Amy took a deep breath. “I must accompany Simon. Beth is missing.”
     
    “Now, Amelia, I can’t let you chase after my nephew.”
     
    Amy gritted her teeth. “I am not chasing after Simon. I’m going with him to find my sister.”
     
    Agatha lifted an eyebrow. A quirk she and Simon shared, Amy decided. “Find