Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 78

"That's right. I haven't seen her, so I'm not sure what's happened. She spent the afternoon in the study—I didn't see her come out at all." Timothy glanced around the study, his eyes shadowed with concern.

Ines was still here, and as host, he couldn't afford to neglect his guest.

Jessica's situation could wait.

He told Mabel to search the house and then went to invite Ines to dinner.

Ines took the seat opposite him at the table. Timothy's sharp features were set in an unreadable expression as he looked over the dishes. He recognized them instantly-takeout from The Silverthread Eatery.

"Mr. Lawson, is your wife not home?" Ines asked, her tone gentle.

Timothy lifted his gaze. "She's usually here. Perhaps she stepped out for a walk."

He'd had the staff keep an eye on things; she wasn't likely to have left the property. Most likely, she was somewhere in the house and Mabel would find her

soon.

her? Invite her down

"Of course."

number-still hadn't unblocked him. That afternoon, he'd

at

desire to let outsiders see evidence of marital discord. He dialed her number anyway, for form's

phone's off. She's rarely out, often forgets to charge it. Why don't

the lady of the house. Wouldn't it be inappropriate not to wait for her?" Ines hesitated, sensing

her own schedule. She'll join us later. If we wait any longer, everything will get cold,"

inherited

was six-born soon after the wedding. That suggested their marriage was

said Timothy protected his

out, they'd only gossip that she wasn't good enough for Timothy. He must have cared for her deeply, Ines thought, to keep her

much into things. Perhaps Timothy simply knew Jessica's routines well

let's eat while we wait

room in the house, but there was no sign of Jessica. As she returned downstairs, she saw Timothy and

didn't seem all that worried about finding Mrs.

Sigh...