A Code of Love (The Code Breakers 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

big books. I got distracted by Mary asking about the fireplaces, and when I went back to check on him, he was gone.” The housekeeper’s voice boomed in the marble entrance.
    “Have you searched the entire house? You’ve checked the library, his room?”
    “We’ve looked throughout the house and the garden. You know how distracted he can get when he has a code on his mind.” As Mrs. Brompton became more desperate, each word became louder. By the end, the housekeeper was nearly shouting.
    “We’ll find him, Bromie. He can’t have gone far.” Wishing she could believe her own reassurances, Henrietta put her hand on her chest, trying to alleviate the crushing sensation of panic.
    “Brompton and Thomas are searching the streets. I’ve sent Mr. Marlow to the park,” Mrs. Brompton said.
    Henrietta quelled the urge to run through the house.
    “I was waiting for you before I sent Polly to ask the neighbors. I didn’t know if you would want them informed.” The implications of alerting their neighbors to her uncle’s mental condition were left unspoken.
    “Polly is capable. Instruct her not to give any unnecessary details. Its teatime and Uncle Charles loses his sense of time when discussing history or linguistics,” Henrietta said.
    “I just don’t know where he would go. All he thinks about is his books,” Mrs. Brompton said.
    Henrietta couldn’t believe that Uncle Charles might be lost. He got confused, but he always knew Kendal House and all its inhabitants.
    “I believe I know where Uncle Charles might have ventured,” Henrietta said.
    “You know where he went?”
    “I’m hoping he went to his book lovers’ club, The Set of Odd Volumes. It used to be one of his favorite haunts.”
    The thought of her brilliant uncle, incapable of crossing the street to go to his club was too painful to contemplate. “You’ve done a great job, Bromie. Uncle Charles will return hungry and ready for tea. I suggest you start preparing.”
    Mrs. Brompton’s thick hand blotted the beads of perspiration on her forehead. “It would be just like him to get it into his head that he needed a book and get up and leave the garden. I better see Cook gets the crumpets in the oven. Everyone will be hungry after this morning’s adventures.” The stout woman moved toward the kitchen.
    Henrietta walked toward the front door then turned. “Everyone should continue the search until I get back.”
    She walked at a furious pace, cutting through the park. Silently, she prayed she’d find Uncle Charles, uninjured at his club. Her hands twisted the sides of her gown. She swallowed hard against the fear that had risen into her throat and chest.
    Ahead on the path, Edward and Gus ran toward her. With Edward’s easy lope, his blond curls lifting in the wind, he looked like a younger version of Michael. She couldn’t allow Edward to see her distress.
    “Henrietta, Uncle Charles is missing.” Edward shouted loud, enough that all of Mayfair would know their business. Edward’s face was taut, his lips downturned as if he might cry with any provocation. She wanted to hold him tight and spare him this pain.
    “Uncle Charles left the house and we can’t find him,” he said.
    “I know. I’m sure he decided to go to his club. I’m walking there now.” She struggled not to betray the tumultuous emotions fluttering in her stomach.
    “Should Gus and I come?”
    “You should search on the other side of the park, in case I miss Uncle Charles on this side.”
    “Gus and I can do that, Hen. Where else should we look?”
    “Bromie is in a tizzy, and it would be a great help if you could keep her busy. Ask her to make tea. I’ll bring Uncle Charles home.”
    “Gus can help with his amazing nose.”
    “You and Gus are helping a lot if you look for Uncle Charles on the other side of the park. And then, can you pretend you’re hungry for Mrs. Brompton’s sake?”
    The boy flashed the famous dimple-creasing Harcourt smile. “Gus and I can