Page 1 of Abducting his Duchess

CHAPTER 1

CATHERINE

Nausea rolls through me as the landau pitches from side to side. It’s not through any fault of the driver, of that, I’m sure. However, it doesn’t help the stab of fear rolling through me as I glance outside to watch the trees go past.

After the forced ride from Hades with Mister Beaumont, every step into a carriage of any sort is cause for alarm. My heart pounds so hard in my chest I fear it will leap from me and onto the other passengers sharing this mode of transportation. Glancing about at the myriad of faces, I force the dread back down where it belongs.

Besides, it wouldn’t be good to upend the contents of my stomach all over the dowager duchess to my side or my new siblings in front. The girls blink up at me, their wide eyes growing even larger as they stare at my face. No doubt I must look a fright. Sliding my hand over my stomach, I clench my fingers inward, willing breakfast to stay down.

Next to me, the older woman reaches over to pat my knee, a glimmer of pity shining in her expression. I don’t want or need anyone’s compassion; however, having a warm, comforting hand certainly doesn’t go amiss. I take her wizened fingers in my grasp and hold on, allowing her strength to pour into me.

Guilt slams into me hard, nearly edging out the panic threatening to bubble up to the surface. The only reason we’re making this trip is because of her poor health. I should be attending to her and not the other way around. Glancing back, I notice a hint of a smile tilting up her lips.

In truth, these last few days, she’s seemed in much brighter spirits than when I was first introduced to her at my marriage breakfast. She looked so pale, so frail. Now, it seems as if she glows from the inside out with some strange mirth she keeps to herself.

Perhaps it’s relief at going back home to the country? Honestly, it causes the guilt to ease just a touch. Perhaps everyone worried for nothing. With the way she looks right now, I surmise she might have many years left in her.

It’s my prayer, seeing as I’ve had far more brushes with death than I care to think about. A shudder wracks my body as the phantom pain from the broken bond twists my insides. It’s far better now that both William and I have claimed each other, but some days the agony threatens to steal my breath.

Turning my attention away from such morose thoughts, I look at the scenery as it goes by, repeating to myself that it’s not the same. These aren’t the same trees, these aren’t the same roads, and my travel companions certainly aren’t the same.

I watch as my new brother, the Duke of Blackport, rides alongside us, his stance rigid in the saddle. I can’t see his face, but his body speaks of an alert and watchful eye. Truthfully, since William cannot escort us, I’m happy to have his brother instead.

With him traveling with us, no harm will come to his mother or sisters, and by proxy, that means I am safe as well. I should be able to allow ghosts to lie, knowing he will fight to the death if need be to keep us safe. Still though, I cannot keep the tingle of awareness away for any longer than the span of a few minutes.

Hopefully, once we’re out of this dreaded landau, I can finally breathe again. In front of me, the sisters hold their heads together, tittering laughs drifting from their side. Next to them, the new governess grips her skirt, her fingers digging in as if holding on for dear life. Strange, but she seems just as ill at ease as I do.

“Do you not travel often?” I inquire, desperate to put my mind on other things.

She looks over at me, her light brown eyes darkening for a second as a waft of fear drifts through the carriage. Both sisters stop whatever it is they are doing and look over at her, curiosity evident in their eyes. Again, that sense of unease drips from the governess as she looks at their questioning gazes.

“Forgive me,” I murmur, sliding back further into the seat. “It was not my intent to put you on the spot.”

“Nonsense,” the dowager duchess cries, her smile growing wider. “‘Tis far too long of a trip not to be regaled with some tale of mystery and woe. Tell us then, child, what has you so uncomfortable?”

Red tinges her cheeks as she glances out the window, only to train her gaze swiftly back onto her hands. “Forgive me, Your Grace,” she whispers. “I have never been in the presence of someone as great as you before. I- I find myself a little unprepared.”

“My child,” the older woman chuckles. “You will find me to be far more affable than most. I did not garner my title by being one of high esteem. In fact, I started out much like you, a governess to someone in a very high position.”

At those words, the younger woman glances up, something akin to hope shining in her eyes. Again, she lets her gaze dart out the window, and for a moment, I wonder if this has anything to do with Blackport. To my knowledge, they haven’t even met properly. Could she already have designs on a stranger?

Then again, I knew nothing of my William, and yet my heart knew in an instant he was the Alpha for me. I will, however, keep my lips sealed in case I’m incorrect in my line of thinking. It could very well easily be that she looks to him as a guardian of sorts and doesn’t wish to alarm him with her troubles?

Leaning forward, I give her a soft smile and a conspiratorial wink. “Do not fret. I am sure no one outside this carriage can hear your tale. The pounding of the horses' hooves should drown out any scandalous stories you might have.”

“A scandal?” the older sister, Lady Margaret, pipes up, her blue eyes shining. “Oh, I do love a good intrigue!”

The dowager duchess gives a loud harrumph as she leans back in her seat. “Not at your age, you should not.”

“It’s not fair,” she pouts, crossing her arms. “You never allow me any fun.”

“Fun is for when you’re married off to a respectable man, and not before.”

The governess and I exchange glances, the ghost of a smile tilting our lips as the mother and daughter go at it. Thankfully, Lady Margaret knows nothing of my fall from grace, or else she’d be absolutely besotted with the scandal which I found myself embroiled in. As it is, it will remain my dirty little secret, never even leaving me on my deathbed.

“Fine. If you do not wish to allow me any fun, I shall turn the conversation to something far more sinister. I have heard tales that highwaymen are in abundance, traversing these roads in search of gold and trinkets.” There’s a smug look of satisfaction on Lady Margaret’s lips as she leans back and crosses her arms.

If my face is anything like the governess’s, we both look pale and shaky with fright.