He handed her down from the curricle, saw her into the house, and nodded to the groom to get up on the box-seat. His gaiety had fallen from him when the door was closed behind Miss Taverner. As he was driven back to the Steyne he was frowning, in a way that induced the groom to suppose that his arm must be causing him a good deal of pain.
He dined alone, but went out afterwards to stroll down the Steyne. Nine o’clock was a fashionable hour of promenade there, and he had not gone far before he had met half a dozen people he knew. Several inquiries were made concerning Worth’s whereabouts, but the news of Peregrine’s disappearance did not seem to have got about, and Worth’s having gone up to London on a matter of business was not much wondered at. Captain Audley had just repeated this explanation of his brother’s absence for the fifth time, when he saw Mr. Bernard Taverner walking towards him, evidently with the intention of accosting him. He made his bow to the two ladies who were regretting Worth’s departure, and moved on to meet Mr. Taverner.
“I am glad to have this chance of speaking with you,” Bernard Taverner said. “I do not like to be for ever calling in Marine Parade for tidings. Has anything been heard of my cousin?”
“I do not know what my brother may have heard,” replied the Captain. “ I have heard nothing.”
Mr. Taverner fell into step beside him, and said with an air of grave reflection: “Your brother hopes to get news of him in London, I collect. Is there any reason to suppose that Peregrine should have gone there?”
“Oh, I am afraid I am not enough in Worth’s confidence to be able to answer you. You may depend upon it, however, that he had a sufficient reason for going to London. My brother, Mr. Taverner, is by no means a fool.”
Mr. Taverner inclined his head. “You are not aware what plans Lord Worth has made for discovering what has become of my cousin?”
“No, he left in haste, and told me very little. I am sorry for it: you, I am persuaded, must be anxious to know.”
“Yes,” said Mr. Taverner quietly. “I am indeed anxious to know that proper measures have been taken.”
“You may be sure of it,” replied the Captain. “But we should not be discussing it in such a public place as this, you know. I was on my way to the Castle. Do you care to accompany me?”