Page 153 of Kathryn

Dulverton grunted. “I would be more inclined to believe that.” When Jasper’s eyes drifted shut, the duke shook him again.

“What?” Jasper whined piteously.

“You are vermin and deserve to be exterminated.”

Katie gasped and Dulverton cut her a quick look, his face twisting as some strong emotion wracked him.

“But I cannot kill you.”

Jasper started sobbing and babbling what sounded like thank yous.

Grim-faced, Dulverton turned to Court. “Did his horse run off?”

“Yes, but his carriage is only a few minutes away.”

Dulverton turned to Jasper and hit him again.

“Aaargh! What wath that for? I promithed you!”

“Shut up or I will change my mind about letting you go.”

Jasper cringed and Dulverton thrust him toward Court. “Get him out of my sight before I come to my senses and kill him.”

Jasper whimpered.

Court shoved his shoulder beneath Jasper’s armpit. “I’ll not carry you. You can walk, or I can drag you again, the choice is yours.”

“Walk—I can walk.”

He could, but just barely. Despite his words to the contrary, Court all but carried him into the darkness.

Dulverton turned to her. “Come. You will ride with me.”

“But—Robin?”

“Court will take him back.” Dulverton swung himself up on Centurion’s back, held out a hand and extended his foot.

Katie took his hand and set her foot on his and he effortlessly lifted her up. “Swing your leg over.” Once she’d complied, he held her with one arm and turned the horse.

“How did you know where to find me?” she asked, even though she could guess. But anything was better than silence.

“Your maid went to Court, who brought her to me.”

Thank God Becky was every bit as willful as Katie. What had she told him? Everything? Somehow Katie could not believe that. Becky would have left most of the story to Katie.

“I need to tell you some things—things you might not know,” Katie said when they entered Echo Forest, whose darkness felt soothing rather than scary now that she was safe with her husband.

“We will be home in less than—”

“I want to tell you now so I don’t have to look you in the eyes.”

A long pause, and then, “Very well.”

“There was no footman.”

“Yes, I gathered that,” he said dryly.

“I—I didn’t tell you about Jasper because I didn’t want you to challenge him to a duel.”