Page 64 of A Tale of Two Dukes

My face blazes as I listen to the two. Though their speech is veiled, spoken with obvious entendre, the message is quite clear. William seems to not be the only one who enjoys this sort of interaction. Do they all have such proclivities?

Sipping on some port, I remain silent as ribald jokes and scenarios fly across the table, all of which are spoken in code. They only cease when servants come to either refill glasses or address the food. Though my glass is still nearly full, it’s taken away and refreshed with another.

I turn, catching a hint of some indiscernible scent, but go back to my meal when nothing seems amiss. It must be my nerves still on fire from all the anxiety I hold on to. Soon, everyone descends into silence as they attack the food.

Taking another sip, I blink down, unsure as to why everything seems a bit blurry. It’s odd, but as I shake my head, everything goes to rights. Perhaps it’s merely the excitement of seeing William in his element. That or this port is far stronger than I realize.

My duke glances over at me, concern lining his face. Through the bond, I feel his warm presence, comforting and questioning. I give him a soft smile, urging him not to worry about me. It’s merely me not drinking very often.

Funny enough, it doesn’t taste strong. In fact, it’s more akin to juice than anything else. Taking another sip, I blink, and the world remains upright. It must have been some momentary thing.

The meal continues where I observe but don’t interfere. At this point, I don’t feel like I’m allowed to intrude, not when everyone else already feels like such a family. It makes me ache for my sister.

With each smattering of laughter, I take another drink, needing to dull the pain. Yes, William is there. I feel him in my mind, but he’s far more preoccupied with his guests. As he should be. I never wish to deny him when it is I who is not worthy and not him.

As he turns, no doubt about to scold me for my line of thoughts, a loud shout interrupts everything, drawing the attention of the group. “Stay here,” he barks out as he and the other men dash out of the tent.

Similarly, the other men give the same order before disappearing. The duchess does no such thing as she rises and stands at the edge. Not quite disobeying, but not exactly doing as she’s told.

The girls from The Rose and Thorne follow suit, all of them peering out into the gardens.

“It’s a fire!” the duchess exclaims, stepping out from beyond the line of the tent.

She turns, motioning for me to come forward. As I rise to stand, I find that I cannot move. Everything blurs around me as if in slow motion. My hand refuses to lift. Try as I might, I cannot even open my mouth to cry out for help.

In my mind, I try to call for William, but my thoughts are mired, mucked about as if dragging me down. Again, my vision blurs as my eyelids feel like lead. The shouts and commotion due to the fire sound watery to my ears.

As I drift forward, strong hands wrap around my shoulders. The last thing that registers in my brain as everything goes dark is that damp stench of mildew. Fear flashes for a moment, then everything stops.

CHAPTER 26

William

The acrid stench of fire and fear fills my nostrils, igniting my adrenaline. What if it had been our tent and my precious omega was at risk? I redouble my efforts, working alongside my friends and others to put out the flames.

Glancing over at our section, I note the girls looking out, but thankfully, they stay put. My obedient little kitten is not among them, no doubt staying in her seat where it’s safe. Thankfully, Foxford has a link to his wife. If something happens and Catherine is too overcome to convey it to me, she can alert her husband.

Just to be sure, however, I reach into the bond. Despite a small jolt a few minutes ago, nothing else seems amiss. In fact, she’s the calmest I’ve ever felt her, placid even. Could it be that being around friends from The Rose and Thorne is having an agreeable effect on her nerves?

If that’s the case, then I should have them over more often. I could even host a masquerade. Again, thoughts of my omega’s happiness infiltrate my mind, driving me to distraction. Whether or not to invite the women over has no bearing on the concern blazing right in front of me. What’s important is keeping the fire contained so that it does not spread.

After diligent work, it finally extinguishes to embers. It’s in the hands of the Bow Street Runners now. Rubbing my sleeve over my brow, I watch as Whiteport bends low, sliding his fingers along the wreckage.

What could he possibly be looking for? I step forward, about to ask, when Foxford glances up at me, his eyes wide with alarm. “We must get back to the tent.”

Prickles of unease tense the back of my neck as I turn to look in their direction. Now, no one stands at the entrance. I reach back out to the bond and find nothing. Foxford, on the other hand, looks as white as a piece of clean linen.

I quicken my steps, reaching them before anyone else. Instantly, my gaze flies over to where my dear Catherine was eating. No one else is important at the moment.

But she’s gone. Nowhere to be found. My heart clenches so hard physical pain shoots down my left arm, compelling me to clutch it. Where is my mate?

I scour every corner, leaving no space untouched. She’s not there. She’s not anywhere. Tipping my nose up, I drag air into my lungs. Her scent still lingers, untainted by fear or unease. It’s as if she just left, waltzed out on her own accord while we were all distracted.

But she wouldn’t do that. Would she? Sorrow lances through me at the very thought. It would explain some things but not everything. Again, I try the bond. A vast nothingness greets me. Something isn’t right.

Foxford enters next, gathering his wife into his arms. Her face is wet with tears as fear and recrimination roll off of her, nearly choking me. Turning, I take a step toward her, desperate to know what happened.

I’m not sure what my face looks like or what I’m giving off, but Foxford slides in between us, blocking her from me. Growling softly under my breath, I pin him with a hard gaze. “Where is she?”