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He led her from the main hall, back to the hall where the auction items were proudly displayed before. Only they were not there anymore. A guard stood watch before an arched doorway up ahead, watching them suspiciously.

Beatrice continued fanning herself, her breathing erratic, her face flushed. Adam actually started to believe she was overly warm.

“They moved the items,” Adam murmured close to her ear. “We need to figure out where.”

Beatrice gave a small, almost imperceptible nod before she swayed on her feet, and the next moment she collapsed right into his arms with a slight moan.

Adam caught her against his chest, before bending at the waist and collecting her into his arms with a grunt. He’d held her in his arms before without a problem, but this gown of hers weighed almost half her weight. He wondered how she wore it without fainting in real life. Adam walked toward the guard and peeked over his shoulder, studying the narrow corridor behind him.

“Just a little farther,” Adam murmured to Beatrice, as they approached, pretending to soothe his ill bride.

The guard held up a hand to halt them. “Where are you going? The auction is that way.”

“So sorry to disturb you,” Adam said politely. “But the lady is feeling poorly and needs a place to rest out of the noise and crowd.”

The guard looked them over closely before stepping aside. “Down the hall, second door on the right.”

“Much obliged,” Adam replied. He adjusted Beatrice in his arms and carried his unmoving treasure inside.

The corridor was dark, except for candles spilling their light from inside the rooms slightly clearing the shadows. Adam walked inside the room indicated by the guard, who was still watching them carefully, and set Beatrice on a little wooden bench.

The room was small and cozy. Beside the bench, there was a little hearth, a table with two chairs on either side, and a beautiful vase on top of the table.

Beatrice straightened in her seat. “I bet the auction items are in one of these rooms.”

“This is crazy,” Adam whispered. “I think we’ve gone too far, and it is time to turn back.”

“No.” Beatrice looked appalled. “We came here to get your watch back, and that’s exactly what we shall do.”

“How?” he hissed.

Beatrice pursed her lips in thought. “We need a diversion. If you can get the guard away from the door, I can check the other rooms to see if the watch is anywhere inside. You don’t even have to do a thing.”

“You are just looking for trouble, aren’t you?” Adam asked with a shake of his head.

“Come,” she reasoned, “what’s the worst thing that can happen? They can’t throw us into gaol. This is an illegal auction. They wouldn’t hurt you. You’re a nobleman! Besides, I am quite certain you can prove this watch is actually yours if we do get caught with it.”

Adam doubted it. All the items in the auction had been falsely authenticated and provided with new documents.

The question still remained. How much trouble would they get into if they got caught stealing from the auction? They would probably be able to weasel their way out, as Beatrice had put it once, with the help of his powerful friends. After all, nobody would want to cross the Mad Duke. Especially since he was a major contributor to this auction.

He scrubbed his face. “I shall create a diversion. But do not do anything until I get back.”

Beatrice nodded. “Certainly.”

He slipped out and retraced his steps. “Please, do not disturb my… er… wife. She requires peace and quiet and some smelling salts. I shall be right back.”

The guard nodded, and Adam made his way back to the main hall. He scanned the crowd for his friends and approached Lucien. “I need help,” he said directly.

Lucien raised a brow. “I don’t think I like the look in your eyes.”

Adam flattened his lips. “I don’t think you’ll like what I am about to ask you, either.”

Lucien put his arm around his shoulder and led him into the corner, away from the prying eyes and ears. “Now that is interesting. Here I thought I would be getting the Mad Duke out of trouble tonight, considering his reputation, but it’s you I had to worry about all along, isn’t it?”

“Actually,” Adam cleared his throat, “I was hoping you would help me create some trouble.”

Lucien’s nose twitched. “Do I want to know?”