Page 67 of A Tale of Two Dukes

“You will tell me everything,” I growl, infusing my will into my voice.

Unfortunately, as another Alpha, it doesn’t faze her. I watch as her spine stiffens, but she remembers her place and remains silent. With a sigh, she turns from her stopping point in front of the fireplace.

“She came to me the night you met her. Cold, hungry, frightened. What else was I supposed to do? I made it very clear that for her to eat, she would work. Kitty had no problem agreeing to those terms.”

“But she was a virgin when you gave her to me. She couldn’t have understood what you were asking of her.”

“As much as you would like to think that, she seemed all too aware. I assure you, Your Grace, I am not in the habit of kidnapping or coercion. Others of my ilk may do so, but my girls work willingly. No one forces them here, and I resent the implication.”

“You’ll have me believe that Catherine Giles just showed up on your doorstep out of the blue and you put her into sexual servitude for her own sake? You got nothing out of it?”

At the use of Kitty’s name, she freezes. “I know not of whom you’re referring to.”

“Like hell you do,” I snarl, storming over.

This time, when my fingers curl around her neck, I feel a rush of satisfaction. Right now, she’s the one to blame. If not for putting Catherine out on the floor, she would have been safe at home in her bed.

No, that’s not right. Either way, Hugh was after her. At least I was there to gather her safely into my arms. With a sigh, I release the madame, not caring as she falls to the floor. Hands behind my back, I begin pacing, my fury swirling with each step.

“You knew. Didn’t you?”

“She never said-”

“And you never asked either. Did you?”

She rises from the floor and smooths her clothes. “In my line of work, the less I know, the better. My work here thrives on secrecy. She wanted to be hidden, and I merely facilitated.”

“You just wanted coin,” I spit out, venom lacing my tone.

“You must understand. I wanted her safe. That night, I was planning on giving her to one of my gentler patrons. You were the one who stepped in to buy her maidenhead.”

She’s right. We all had a role to play in Catherine’s current predicament. “Surely you know where Hugh is.” When she opens her mouth, regret lining her face, I cut her off. “My mate’s life is at stake. You will tell me where he is.”

Her hand flutters to her lips. “You-”

“Yes,” I snap. “And you are going to make this right. You shouldn’t have even allowed someone of his ilk entrance into your house.”

“He had the coin. Who am I to deny anyone their vices? But as you say, if she is indeed your mate, I will assist you.”

My mind begins to turn with plots and counterplots. “You’ll do more than that. You have the ear of many influential people of the Ton. You will help our despoiled kitten regain her feet. Every ear you have access to, you will spread the word that she and I are married.”

“But you’re-”

“When I find her, and I will find her, I will take her to Gretna Green. With enough coin, the witnesses will say we were wed before the day I deflowered her. If anyone asks, we were merely playing a wedding game. A farce. They have my gratitude for allowing my shy little omega’s wish to come true. For everyone to see her husband take her maidenhead in front of an audience.”

A smile tilts her lips as she flips through the ledgers. “There have been odder occurrences. The older members of the Ton will not appreciate it, but they will have to accept your marriage to Catherine, daughter of an esteemed earl.”

“Well, that’s where your silver tongue will help smooth their ruffled feathers. Hell, tell them a partial truth. Tell them it was all for show to draw out a threat to her being. You were in on the ruse. I’m sure you can think of something.”

Nodding, she writes down Hugh’s information and passes it to me. “Besides, to decry your claim would be to tip their hand, revealing they were here to bear witness. May God be with you in your quest.”

I rip the paper from her fingers and leave, my heart beating hard in my chest. Once my kitten is back in my arms, nothing and no one will pry her away again. Much needs to happen, and there is little time to accomplish it.

Thankfully, my friends await me at my brother’s house. Between all of us, we will see my omega safely back in my arms. If not, I will raze England to the ground in my vengeance. Either way, Hugh will not live for long.

CHAPTER 27

Catherine