“I don’t care if someone threatens me or Reggie or our bloody dog, you will never again keep anything this serious from me. Do you understand?”
Eva nodded again.
His kiss was hard and fast.
“I knew you were hiding something and that whatever it was put shadows in your eyes when you thought I wasn’t looking. I was caught between shaking you and hugging you because you were carrying these burdens alone.”
Her fingers shook as she touched his cheek. The love inside her was so strong it hurt. “The only worthy thing he ever did for me was give me to you.”
“I would say the same thing.” Daniel’s words brushed her lips. “Our fathers in their greed actually did right by us.”
“I’m sorry about the ring and my pendant, Daniel.”
He cupped her cheeks as his eyes roamed her face. “I will get them back if they mean that much to you, my love, and just for the record, I’m Huxley’s equal with a sword.”
“You are?”
“I am,” he said, opening the door after someone knocked on it.
“What the hell is going on? I was talking to that insipid creature Rockwell and when I turned around you were storming away.” Simon’s eyes went from Simon to Eva. “Hello, Eva.”
“Get in here, Kelkirk, and close the door. I need your help.”
“I’ve never known a duke and duchess get into so much trouble,” Simon grumbled as he seated himself.
“Show him the note, Duchess.”
Eva handed it to Simon at Daniel’s prompting and then, much to her shame, he relayed everything she had just told him. However, Simon simply squeezed her hand when he had finished.
“It’s all right, Eva. We’ll get Reggie back safe.”
“That’s the house.” Eva pointed to a brick building thirty minutes later.
“And am I wasting my breath asking you to stay in the carriage and let Simon and I deal with this?”
“Yes, you are.”
“Where the hell is your sling?” Daniel then demanded, obviously just noticing it was missing.
“I left it at home.”
He sighed but soon they were standing outside the front door.
Pounding on the wood, Daniel tried the handle and when it failed to yield, they had to wait several tense seconds before a servant finally opened it.
“I want to speak with Spencer Winchcomb,” Daniel demanded.
“He’s busy.” The man then tried to shut the door but Daniel placed one boot in the doorway and pushed it open. The force sent the servant stumbling backwards.
“If you value your health, sir, stay out of this.” Daniel added, walking past him. Then he heard it - the sound a fist makes when connecting with flesh. Followed by Eva and Simon, he ran to the stairs. Taking them two at a time, he reached the top in seconds. Everyone stopped as Daniel held up one hand. They could hear voices coming from the room located at the end of the hallway.
“You will pay for defending that worthless little bitch over us!”
“I care nothing about what you do to me, father, and will laugh in delight when her large husband realizes what you have done to her.”
“She will pay next for turning her back on her family.”
Daniel grabbed the back of Eva’s jacket as she tried to run past him.
