“For now, my lady, you are the acting head of the Thysmer family.” Rachel took her glasses off and looked at me with compassion-filled eyes. “I realize that this is not necessarily the ideal situation, but until your father is sober and able to assist in the duties, it falls on your shoulders.”

I took a deep breath and opened my mouth to speak, but couldn’t find the right words. Max put a hand on my shoulder, offering his support. Rachel didn’t say anything, just waited for me to absorb what had happened.

“I understand.” Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and went to that quiet zone I used for performances. It was hard to reach today with so much swirling in my mind.

“She’ll need help.” Max’s voice was quiet.

“I actually have a solution, if she’s open to it.” Rachel looked at me. “I’d like to offer my services as your assistant.”

“My assistant?” My eyebrows furrowed together.

“Your grandfather refused one. As I understand it, they made him uncomfortable, but I could help you shoulder some of the responsibilities you’re facing.” She leaned forward and picked up a teacup. “I’m not sure that I would be able to cover for you being gone for whole semesters in England, but perhaps we can figure something else out.”

“You would do that for me?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Rachel nodded her head. ‘I’ve got a few good years left in me. And I’m quite fond of Thysmer . . . and you.”

“I would be honored.” I offered her a smile. “I think I’m going to need some help.”

There was a sharp knock on the door frame.

“My lady.” Gerard stepped into the room. He must have followed my father, but I hadn’t noticed. Too wrapped up in Max’s eyes. “I thought you should know that your father has left in the sedan.”

“What?” I looked around the room, my eyes falling on the glass tumbler and empty container of scotch. “Where did he go?”

“Toward town, my lady.”

“Oh God.” Fear and panic slammed into my chest and I shot out of my seat. “He didn’t have a driver?”

“No, ma’am. I tried to stop him, but he wasn’t willing to listen to me.”

I looked over at the butler and noticed the growing bruise under his left eye.

“Jesus, Gerard. I’m so sorry.” I reached out and tilted his face. “Go put some ice on that.”

“It can wait, ma’am.” He stood up straight.

“I’m calling the authorities.” Max pulled his phone out of his pocket. “He could hurt somebody.”

Adrenaline pumped through my veins and I was moving before I realized. Grabbing the keys from a hook near the door, I ran out to the driveway.

“Meredith!” Max followed closely on my heels and grabbed my arm.

“I have to go after him.” I looked at Max. “I’m not going to let him kill someone.”

He looked at me, his phone still tucked to his ear.

“Fine, but I’m driving.”

I handed him the key and jumped into the old work truck that was parked out front. Max said a few quick sentences as he climbed into the driver’s seat before throwing the phone down on the bench between us.

His bodyguard ran up to the window as Max threw the truck in reverse.

Max stuck his head out of the open window and told him to follow us.

I sat back in the seat, gripping the door handle as Max sped down the driveway in pursuit of my father.

Silently I prayed that my father wouldn’t hurt anyone.

SIXTEEN

THE ROADS WERE wet from an earlier shower and the old truck didn’t have much get up and go, but I made the best of what I had.

Meredith sat next to me, her face a pale mask of nerves. Her knuckles gripping the door were white. She chewed on her bottom lip as she stared out at the road.

“Where would he go?” I asked as we rounded a bend on the curvy road.

“I’m not sure.” Letting go of the door, she wiped her palms on her pants legs. “The local pub, maybe.”

“Then we’ll try there.” We hit a pothole full of water and sent a wave of it crashing into the foliage along the road. “The police are looking for him.”

“God, I hope he doesn’t hurt anyone.” She shook her head, and I didn’t think she realized that she was rocking in her seat.

I didn’t say anything. There was no way to make her feel better until we had the old man accounted for. At another curve in the road was what looked like fresh tire marks, suggesting that a car had slid, but no car was visible.

We were almost to town when the first of the wreckage caught my attention. There was glass strewn across the road and I slowed the truck and pulled over into the grass.

Just the rear end of the sedan was visible from where it was stuck among the trees. It must’ve rolled because it was upside down, the undercarriage exposed to the sky.

“Oh my God.” Meredith threw herself against the old truck door, but it didn’t open at first. She hit it with her hand several times before almost falling out onto the wet grass.

“Meredith!” I climbed out of my seat and ran after her. The last thing I wanted was for her to find her father dead.

“Dad!” She hollered as she slid down the slope and into weeds near the trees. “Daddy!”

“Meredith!” I slid down the knoll on my side, just barely catching her before she could get to the car. “Stop!”