A/N: Sorry for the late update. I won't make excuses since you probably will just skip to the chapter anyways. Enjoy. Please review.

Chapter Forty-six

Solving the Mystery

Erik slept poorly that night as he continually woke to nightmares involving Darcey being mistreated. Oh how he wanted her to be back in his arms. He swore that once they found her, he would never let anything happen to her even if it meant keeping her in his sight always though he realized how unreasonable that thought was.

He waited until dawn before getting up. He dressed quickly and made his way downstairs despite his desire to wake up Lionell and Darcey's horrid cousin. He knew that that wouldn't go over very well.

He left out the front door, taking in the scene of the crisp December morning. He decided against his previous plan of going on a walk in favor of going on horseback. Walking quickly, he headed towards the stable to saddle up Cesar who they had brought with them.

At his low whistle, Cesar's ears perked and he tossed his head in the air as he came to his hind legs. Erik offered him a sugar cube, which he took happily, before grabbing the saddle. Just as Erik was tossing the saddle over the magnificent creature, he heard a sound behind him causing him to turn abruptly. He sighed in relief to find that it was only Helene. "Helene. You startled me."

"I'm sorry, monsieur. I didn't mean to," she said softly as she finished rebraiding her hair.

"It's alright. I am simply tense. I didn't expect anyone else to be up at this time. I didn't wake you did I?" he asked as he continued to ready Cesar for their ride. The horse tapped its hoof against the ground as it waited impatiently to be allowed out.

"No, sir. I slept inside with one of the maids. I have learned to wake at dawn. I came outside when I saw you walking towards here. Do you have news? Did he tell you where he was keeping her?" He felt regret as he realized the poor girl had spent the entire night wondering what they had discovered.

"I should have written you a note. We didn't accuse him of taking her and he didn't tell us. He said he would help us find her but it's more likely that he will lead us in the wrong direction." He failed to keep his frustration from showing in his voice and actions as he jerkily adjusted the stirrups. He paused as he forced himself to calm down.

"Is there anything I can do, monsieur?"

"You can start by calling me Erik," he said distracted as he finished readying Cesar. He led him outside of the stable, Helene following a short distance away. As he mounted he thought of something she could do. "Actually, there is something you can do."

"What is it, mon… err, Erik?" she asked hopefully, eager to help in any way she could.

"I had the thought that one of his servants might know something that could help us. If I start questioning the servants, he will get suspicious and might do something rash. But if you asked…"
"They would just think I was being curious," she finished for him.

He grinned at her understanding. "Precisely. You will have to be careful but if there is anything to learn, you will have a much better chance of discovering it than I will. The servants should be waking up before long to begin their tasks of the day. Be careful. I will be back later." With that, he nodded to her before letting Cesar have his head.

With Cesar running at full speed, he felt all of his pent up nervous energy release. After spending a good part of an hour at that speed, he reined him in and slowed down gradually until they came to a stop at the top of the hill. Cesar protested standing still by coming up to his hind legs, but settled at Erik's command.

Looking out at the snow covered world around him, he was amazed at the beauty around him. He wondered if Darcey had grown up here and decided she must have spent at least some of her time here if the servant's friendly manner when Darcey had been brought into the conversation was any indictation. He found himself wondering more about her childhood. He wondered what she must have looked like as a child. He wondered what her favorite songs to play were. He wondered so many things and could only trust that he would be able to ask her in the future.

Where was she? How would they find her? If they were right about her cousin, then he would most certainly not help them find her. At least until it would be too late for her to have the title that was rightfully hers. Should they call his bluff? Should they continue to pretend to be ignorant? He hoped that Meg and Garren got his short note asking them to bring the police to their aid and that there would be evidence strong enough to convict him. He didn't have a lot of confidence in the law enforcement but it was the only way that her cousin could be punished without killing the man. Despite his desire to do so, he knew that Darcey wouldn't want his blood on his hands.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, a habit he thought he had broken. He forced himself to calm down again as he felt the rising emotions. He turned Cesar back towards the country home and held him at a walk to give him more time to think about Darcey and about the title that she would receive if they rescued her in time and if they married in time.

While Erik was gone, Helene was busy at work trying to learn anything that might point them in the right direction. She had started by asking some of the maids but learned nothing important as all they had said was that he was known to trade kisses for a coin, something that disgusted her. She then tried to ask the butler and housekeeper but neither had any useful information.

From there she went in search of his valet. Maybe he had gone to where Darcey was being kept and had his clothes packed. She looked for what seemed like forever before running into a man who was walking out of one of the family bedrooms. "Oof," she said as she fell down, a white shirt falling on her.

"I'm terribly sorry, mademoiselle. I should have been paying closer attention. I didn't get as much sleep last night."

"Why is that?" she asked as she came to her feet before bending to pick up the shirt.

"The master rang an hour ago for me to help him dress. You can't ignore the master's call no matter the time or how warm your bed is. But I don't need to tell you this. You must know exactly what I'm talking about. Your father works for Lord Rossau, does he not?" he asked as he took the offered shirt.

She caught herself before she said no and nodded. "Does he normally get up this early?"

The man, who had to be the valet, laughed hard. "No, my dear girl, he likes to keep to the same hours as town."

She smiled. She had a clue! "Can I help you with these clothes?" He nodded gratefully and she took some of the clothes. After they had started walking down the hall, she asked, "Why did he get up so much earlier today?"

"I wouldn't know. I just do what I'm told, when I'm told. I can't afford to lose my job." She nodded but couldn't help her frown. She had gotten so close. He must have noticed her frown because he spoke up again. "You certainly are a curious creature, aren't you?" She nodded quickly. "Well you might be able to find out where he went if you ask someone in the stable. Someone had to of prepared his horse."

She brightened immediately. "What a great idea, sir. I do like to solve mysteries. It amused my mother to no end."

He chuckled. "Glad to be of service." They continued walking until they reached the laundry room. "Thank you for the help. Have fun solving your little mystery."

"I will. Thanks!" She took off towards the stable, hope making her feet light as she ran. The twelve year old received some amused looks as she passed staff members but she didn't care. She might just be able to find out where her friend was.

She slowed as she approached the stable for the second time that day. Who should she ask? Who would have helped him? She decided to ask his coachman but bumped into someone. As she fell down again, she made a mental note to pay more attention to where she was going so that she wouldn't run into anyone else. "Are you alright?" She looked up into the bluest pair of eyes she had ever seen and was speechless as she nodded. "Are you looking for someone?"

She mentally shook herself and forced her mouth to form the right words. "I'm looking for whoever helped Lord Dubois this morning with his horse."

"Ahh. That would be Tyrell over there. I hope you find out what you need," he said before he walked away to do his chores. She blinked before standing up. He had been the oddest combination of kind and rude she had ever seen. She shook her head and walked over to the boy of about nine that he had indicated.

"Tyrell?" He looked up at her and gave her a grin.

"Yes? Can I help you?"

She nodded with a smile. "I was wondering if you could tell me where Lord Dubois went this morning."

He looked around to see if anyone was listening before leaning close to whisper. "I think he has a lover. He went to the cottage yesterday. I came with him from town so I was with him. It's not far from here."

"Could you give me directions?" He hesitated so she continued. "I promise I won't tell anyone about his lover."

He seemed to debate before apparently deciding to trust her as he tugged on her arm so he could whisper in her ear.

Excitement filled her as she committed the directions to her memory and dug in her pocket to find a coin she had found in the garden the previous evening. "Thank you Tyrell. Here have this coin."

"Thanks! Nice talking to you." She nodded before walking out of the stable, forcing herself to walk least someone suspect something. She turned at the sound of thundering hooves and saw Erik approaching. She ran towards him as he reined in his horse.

"Did you find out anything?" he asked hopefully.

"Yes. I know where she is."