Alastair knew those names.
He remembered their voices sneering in the darkness, the casual cruelty in their fists, their boots.
But these men were not them.
Mrs. Tanner was hovering behind them. Her voice cut through, steady and sure. “I called for them, Your Grace.”
Alastair exhaled sharply, the tight coil in his chest loosening—but only slightly. These were not his uncle’s henchmen. Mrs. Tanner had summoned them. And if she had called for the law, it meant—for the first time in weeks—he was not the hunted.
But he did not fully stand down.
Daisy and Gilbert were alone.
Straightening to his full height, he lifted his chin, his voice ringing with the authority he had been born into. “Excellent timing, Mrs. Tanner.”
He turned to the bobbies. “Lord Calvin Frampton has made an attempt on my life.” He could feel his uncle bristle at the accusation, but Alastair didn’t so much as glance his way. His focus was singular. “But that is not my immediate concern. A ten-year-old boy’s life is in danger.”
Gilbert.
And Daisy—God help him. Because she would do anything to protect her brother.
And his uncle had said he’d had people watching Daisy’s shop. They all too easily could have seen Alastair leaving earlier that morning.
“I need a horse.” Alastair’s tone left no room for argument. “Now.”
He flicked a sharp gaze over the two bobbies, selecting the one with the broadest frame. “You—come with me.” Then he turned to the smaller man. “You will take Lord Calvin into custody immediately. I’ll provide a statement once I know my household is safe.”
Without waiting for confirmation, Alastair spun on his heel and strode outside, his movements efficient, controlled. He was a man reclaiming his destiny, a duke taking command.
Alastair swung onto the saddle of the officer’s mount in one fluid motion. Digging his heels into the horse’s flanks, he took off at a gallop, his entire being focused on one singular truth?—
His entire life was waiting for him in that small shop.
And he would not be too late.
He’d already taken far too long to find her, ten years of waiting, ten years of existing with a gaping hole where his heart should be. If he didn’t make it in time now…
No. He refused to entertain the possibility. He would go to Daisy and her brother, and he would protect both of them from here on out.
Once he had Daisy in his arms again, he’d never let her go.
UNWANTED VISITORS
“Where is he?” Daisy pounced on her unsuspecting brother the minute she stepped into the kitchen. She then strode across the room and opened the cupboard where she’d left Alastair’s mended clothing. Her heart dropped to see it bare.
“He said he’ll be back later today.” Gilbert’s cheeks flushed. “He also said that he loves you. And he wants to marry you.”
“When?”
Gilbert’s eyes scrunched together in confusion. “When… will he marry you?”
“No! When did he leave?” The hour was early, and yet the house was unusually quiet. Foreboding curled around her. She’d known he was gone the moment she’d opened her eyes. It was almost as though her soul could feel his absence.
“Half an hour ago, maybe more? He said he’d be careful.” Gilbert drew back his shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure.”
Daisy ran her hand through her hair and scowled when her fingers got caught in tangled curls. She’d come downstairs insuch a hurry that she hadn’t bothered with her appearance whatsoever.
