Mr. Harris came in and bowed. “Your Grace, forgive the intrusion, but we have visitors who insist on speaking with both of you.”
Dale lifted an eyebrow, every inch the duke. “Did you not inform them we are not at home?”
“I did, Your Grace. But they are not regular visitors. They insist it is a matter of utmost importance, related to the duchess. I would not have troubled you otherwise.”
Dale and Livvy shared a look, a silent communication passing between them.
“Do you think... do you think it’s them?” she asked, her voice breathless and not from their recent endeavors.
He couldn’t answer. He hoped it wasn’t who he feared it was—the strange couple. But a shiver of premonition ran down his spine.
Time had just run out.
CHAPTER 57 - The strange couple
THE STRANGE COUPLEthey had been trying to locate for the better part of a month was indeed sitting in the parlor. He knew it as soon as he saw them, for they were an unusual pair. The man was tall and dark, with longish brown hair that he wore tied back in complete disregard to the current fashion. The woman, in contrast, was small, fair and red-haired. They were dressed in the appropriate style, but there was something about them that marked them as outsiders. Instant apprehension gripped Dale.
They stood as he and Olivia entered, but neither of them bowed or curtsied. Their only greeting was a grave nod. Their presence here could only mean one thing.
That must be the reason why, eschewing the pleasantries and in his haughtiest tone, he got straight to the point.
“My butler informs me you have an important matter to discuss with us, but I am afraid he didn’t mention your names. How remiss of him.” His butler was never remiss. If he didn’t convey the names, it is because these people, whoever they were, had not given them.
The man spoke first, doing an almost perfect imitation of an upper class English accent. “Forgive the omission, Your Grace, I am Dariux, and this is my partner Kalli.”
“We have the answers you are seeking. We know how she ended up here. In fact, we are the cause,” Kalli said.
Olivia slowly sank down to a settee, her face pale. Dale stared at them, while something akin to rage or pain brewed inside him. But when he spoke, his voice was as even and measured as always.
“Please have a seat. It seems we have much to discuss. May I offer refreshments?”
“Thank you, but no. That won’t be necessary.” Kalli took a seat opposite Olivia. Dariux sat stiffly on the other armchair while Dale sat next to Olivia on the settee and took one of her icy hands in his. The contact felt good, necessary, comforting. Although he didn’t know who was taking comfort from whom. Olivia was pale, fairly vibrating with tension. He had gone numb inside.
The woman, Kalli, spoke again. “You both must be wondering what happened. How she ended up here. The answer is that we accidentally dragged her back with us into the past. The full explanation is much more complicated than that, of course.”
“I would like the full explanation,” Olivia said tightly. “First, what are you two?”
