A Bride for Lord Esher by P J Perryman

only man dismounting. Yates, who also was wet through, had arrived just before him.
    “Any news?” asked Lord Esher.
    “Yes sir. I rode to her father’s place, as you asked. The young lady is still missing, but her father received a brief note from her.”
    “What did the note say?”
    “That she was well, but she did not want her father to come looking for her.”
    “No clue of her whereabouts? Did you see the note?”
    “None sir. Yes, he was good enough to let me look at it. There was nothing else upon it.”
    “Damnation. Where the deuce is she?”
    “Shall I run you a bath, sir?”
    “No, see to yourself. I’m going to change horses and ride over to my sister’s house.”
    As soon as a fresh horse was saddled, Lord Esher left the stables at a gallop and rode with a strange sense of purpose. It felt good to be doing something, anything , rather than languishing in self-misery and staring at the walls of his manor.
    Chastity was alive, that was something. Not knowing where she was or how she fared had left him in utter despair. But the note had given him hope, and as the horse hooves beat out their rhythm, he vowed he would not rest until she was found. What then? Who knew, but he must find her, or die himself from the sorrow of her loss.
    He found his sister was not at home, but Lord Ashworth, forced to miss his sports by the rain, was in his library. He sat talking to their mutual friend.
    As ever, Tom was immaculately turned out, not a hair out of place, and the two men sat in front of a blazing fire, both quietly reading a book. Lord Ashworth was the first to rise, and Tom quickly followed.
    “Ah, it’s good to see you Esher. Tom rode over to tell the news of his ennoblement, but the rains have kept him here longer than he expected, so we’re catching up on our reading as you see.”
    “Lord Warren, at your service.” Tom bowed with a flourish. “Of course, the formal ceremony will be in a few months. With the wedding just behind me my life seems an endless succession of happy events.”
    “And how is your bride?” Robert asked.
    “Well enough. No doubt she will ride over when the weather clears, she never likes to be too far from my side.”
    “I would find that rather irksome,” remarked Lord Ashworth.
    Tom smiled, as if the thought had occurred to him also.
    “What brings you over today, Esher? You were not expected?”
    “No. But I had just received word of Lady Esher. Though I know little, I’ve heard she’s alive at least. I would find her, and came to ask if either of you hear any news of her, to report it to me at once.”
    Tom arched his eyebrows. “I wonder at you caring, given her… disposition. May I suggest, as your friend, you are better off without her?”
    Lord Esher cast him a dark look. “No, Tom, you may not. I don’t care what you think about Chastity, or of me for that matter. I have done her a wrong, I shouldn’t have abandoned her like I did, and I rue the day I took her back to her father’s place. It was done in the heat of the moment, and now she is gone, and I may never find her again. Your support is welcome, your derision is not.”
    Tom shrugged as if the matter were of no consequence. He turned away, a vicious look in his cold eyes. “I wonder that a peer of the realm should so freely insult his friends, especially when the object in question is nothing more than a lowly tavern slut. Really, Esher, you should consider your words with more care.”
    Robert half pulled his sword from its sheath. “How dare you, Tom. A man of honor would not say such things, ennobled or otherwise. I caution you not to speak again.”
    Lord Ashworth stepped between them. “Really gentlemen, this is my house. Keep your warring to yourselves. I’ll have no blood shed here.”
    The unarmed Tom threw his hands in the air and then poured himself a glass of wine. “Have no fear, Ashworth. The man calls himself a gentleman, but to threaten someone not carrying a weapon reeks of