Page 80 of A Tale of Two Dukes

Turning, Mr. Beaumont shoves me back, thrusting me into the arms of the blacksmith. “Marry us.”

Confusion and irritation waft off of him as he wraps his beefy hand around my arm to steady me, his brows furrowing as he looks between us.

“If you value the hand that supplies your given occupation,” William grinds out, “you will relinquish her.”

The man raises his hands, releasing me in an instant. “I have no issues with ye or the wee lass. But I will have things civil and in good order.”

The moment he steps back, I run toward William, granting Mr. Beaumont a wide berth. My master’s hand wraps around my arm, his fingers biting into my skin. But it’s different from when the monster grabbed me. My love’s touch fairly vibrates with concern and the need to see me safely by his side.

However, our reunion is short-lived as he ushers me over to Whiteport. A prick of hope vibrates through my heart, knowing that my mate has someone with him to help. The other duke is a wall of strength, allowing me to breathe a bit easier.

It’s not as if I feel William is inept to rescue me on his own. It’s more me not trusting Mr. Beaumont further than I can shove him. It’s good for someone else to be on our side to watch out for his conniving ways.

I reach out for my mate, but he pushes me away. The pain in my love’s eyes is evident as he trails his fingers down my arm, lingering as long as he dares. But this is not the time for a reunion. Trouble brews and must be dealt with.

Hopefully, this mess will be put to rights so he can take me away from this horrid place. Even though the end for us is not matrimony, I find I no longer care. I’ll take my beloved William in any way he’ll have me, even if that means being his mistress until death.

In some ways, Gretna Green seemed like a haven, a place where William and I could get married. But now, it’s tainted by this madman. Even now, he prowls about, like an unhinged animal ready to strike.

Fear pounds in my heart, despite William doing his best to calm me. With a firm nod, he glances over at Whiteport, an entire conversation passing between the two that I’m not privy to. Again, I poke at the bond and find nothing.

There’s a calmness, a tranquility that’s quite the opposite of Mr. Beaumont. Where his side of the bond feels like hot pokers of fury jabbing at my insides, William’s is like a pool of deep water—serene, unruffled, unstirred. I want to hide myself in his strength, to soak it up until I’m full.

“Aye,” the blacksmith calls out, his brogue thickening as anger laces his tone. “Is there to be a wedding today or nae? I have work to do and ye petty squabbles can go elsewhere.”

“Petty,” Mr. Beaumont spits out. “He means to steal this woman from me.”

“Lies,” I cry, hiding in the shelter of Whiteport.

He holds his arm out, blocking me from moving, but also keeping me from harm.

The blacksmith narrows his eyes at all of us. “I willnae be handfasting the unwilling. I thought ye might be playing lovers’ games.”

“No.” William’s voice rumbles out like summer thunder. “The only lovers' games she will be playing is with me. This fiend is a traitor, a thief, and a murderer. But more than that, he dared touch the woman I love with all my heart. As such, I demand satisfaction.”

Through the bond, I feel the rage surging through Mr. Beaumont. It’s like acid on my insides. Wrapping my arms around my waist, I crumple, only held aloft by Whiteport’s unflinching grip. It’s not painful, as if he’s angry with me, but I feel the firm resolve through his fingers.

“Such words you spew,” Mr. Beaumont hisses. “You have no claim to her. None that exceeds mine. She bears both our marks, but as you can clearly see, it is mine that’s visible to all. You were too embarrassed by your claim. I was not.”

The words slam into me, punching me in the heart. I nearly crumple to the ground as sorrow floods my mind. It’s not true. Deep in my heart, I know it was for my safety, but it doesn’t make hearing those lies any less painful.

William’s jaw twitches, but still, he somehow remains calm and in control. In complete opposition, Mr. Beaumont paces, his mind a chaotic jumble of anger and need. Glancing up at Whiteport, I note the firm set of his jaw as he watches the two.

When William does speak again, the resolve washes over my skin. “Whiteport here is my second. Who will stand for you?”

With frantic gazes, the cad moves about, looking into the crowd circling us. No one speaks. Not one person sides with him. In a way, it’s poetic justice that makes my heart sing. However, the very real threat of them clashing eats at me.

I want Mr. Beaumont gone forever. There’s no denying that. But fear for William quickens my heart until I’m unable to breathe. My vision swims for a moment as I’m unable to catch a full breath. My lungs threaten to seize as my heart stutters along, skipping every other beat or so.

Without taking his eyes off Mr. Beaumont, William calls out, “Whiteport. See to Catherine. She needs your strength to shore her up while I dispatch this blight upon humanity.”

Tears prick my eyes as Whiteport lets out a rumbling sound. His purr is nothing like William’s, but it gives a modicum of comfort, nonetheless. It’s more rusty, as if unused, but the sentiment unlocks something deep inside. The fact that my mate, though faced with this horrid task, can still consider me… It confirms the love that burns in my heart.

With a sigh, I close my eyes and push all that affection into the bond, hoping to convey to him the enormity of my feelings. He turns his head, spearing me with a heated glance. For a moment, he allows his side of the bond to reopen, flooding me with so much love that it nearly buckles my knees.

He shows me everything—his esteem, his desire, his need to marry me, to make me his bride. All of it, every bit of his thoughts, are consumed with me. But what stands out the most, what causes my heart to blossom and unfurl, is knowing that he plans to marry me.

In an instant, his thoughts shift, showing me his thought process when he marked me. It confirms the liar was indeed false in his claims. William has only ever wanted to keep me safe. This was the only way he knew how.