Startled, Percy tried to sit up on the bed but his back still hurt from being hit with that damn rod. "You say you found her ribbon but no Emilie in sight? That's great, I can only imagine... 'Oh father, here I am but I seem to have lost my aunt.' Percy rolled his eyes and hung his head. "Would you help me to look for her? And I don't care if I'm sore... she's the only person who's ever given a damn about me."
"Certainly," Laurel said, still feeling guilt from her earlier talk with Emilie. "It looked like she was headed towards Compte Lovell's property. Perhaps one of his servants or tenants has seen her." She wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and headed for the door.
Percy suddenly leapt up from his spot on the bed. Even though he still hurt, Percy couldn't allow Laurel to go out there on her own, what if something happened to her, too? "Oh no, you don't. If you think I am letting you go over there by yourself, you must think me daft. I'll take you on my horse. That is if you feel safe riding with me, still."
"I feel completely safe with you, milor," Laurel replied with a smile. "But we must hurry. There is no telling what has happened to your dear little aunt. Maman, would you watch for her and keep her here if she returns? Come, Sir Percy, let's not wait any longer!" With this Laurel was out the door and heading for the horse.
Lady DeClaireville agreed to her daughter�s request, but wished that the girl wouldn't go getting into trouble. She knew that Sir Percy and his aunt would be trouble, but Laurel would have to learn the hard way. Percy knew as well as Laurel that there wasn't any time to lose. He HAD to find his aunt, no matter the cost or else risk getting killed when they arrived back at the manor by his father. "Did you see which way they went to?" Percy called out from his place on the horse, an anxious expression on his face. "I need a general idea of where this families' house is- if you think that's where she went- so we can find her. I don't read minds, you know."
Laurel pointed to a nearby path. "Through the forest to the north, that's where she appeared to have gone. 'They'? Do you think that someone might have made off with her?" Laurel asked as she mounted the horse behind him.
Percy stared at Laurel for a few minutes after having stopped his horse so that he could gather his thoughts. "I thought you said something about two people riding off."
Now the young man was thoroughly confused. He could have sworn that Laurel had said the opposite of what she had. "If I am wrong, God forgive me- but I really would like to find my aunt. I'm in hot water already. If my father were to find out about this.."
Laurel looked at him puzzled, maybe his father had done more damage to Percy than they had at first believed, "Riding off? No. But you're aunt's footsteps and those of another lead in the direction of the Lovell's property. So that would probably be the best place to start." Percy steered the horse in that direction.
* * * * * * * * * * *
They search until the sun sank into darkness. "We should turn back Sir Percy, we won't be able to find her in this darkness. I can go get Andre to help you it the morning."
"Alright, let's go...I need to get my aunt back. I should have never snapped at her." Angry, bitter tears showed through his eyes but he did not cry. At least, not in front of Laurel. "She's got to be around here somewhere, I would never forgive myself if anything happened to Emilie. I love my aunt, I do."
Laurel put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I know you do, but you mustn�t be so harsh on yourself. Everyone gets upset at times and everyone quarrels, there was no way that you could know that this would happen. We'll continue our search in the morning, when there is enough light to see by. I'm certain we'll find her." She guided them back to her home and let him use her bed to rest, if indeed he rested. She sat up with her mother, helping the older women with her sewing, and when the old woman retired for the night she stayed awake watching the fire, hoping for a knock at the door which might herald lady Emilie's return or some news of her whereabouts.
Percy felt his shoulders slump. His father would *never* forgive him if anything ever happened to Emilie. How could he have been so selfish. "Father is right, Laurel. I AM a terrible person. Tis no wonder that my mother couldn't stand to look me in the eyes!"
Laurel's heart broke at hearing the pain and despair in Percy's voice. "If that is how he feels then he is wrong, as for your mother... she is ill and cannot help the actions that she does... I sure that there are probably reasons that the lord alone can fathom. There was no way that you could have known that anything would happen to milady Emilie, she is a strong young woman and she chose to go out." Laurel stood up, crossed the room, and knelt beside the bed where Percy laid. "If anyone is to blame, it is me for keeping you away for so long. But I swear to you I won't rest until she is found."
Percy gulped and nearly choked on his saliva." I wonder perhaps if I should not go home to my father. Perhaps Emilie went home." He shifted uncomfortably on the horse's back and sighed. "Would you be terribly offended if I did that?"
Percy groaned softly from his spot on the bed. His muscles still hurt from the previous beating. He felt like throwing up but did not. Instead, he was vaguely aware of his eyes closing. "If tomorrow comes," He murmured, falling into a deep sleep.
Laurel covered Percy with a blanket and returned to her seat by the fire and waited until morning came.
