Page 72 of A Tale of Two Dukes

Whiteport eases up beside me, his face contorted into a mask of concern. “Any news?”

“He certainly has her. The bastard struck her and has threatened much worse. I have to find her. The Blue Peacock Inn is all I have.” Glancing up at the sign on the inn, fury churns in my gut.

Just the name doesn’t help. I need more. Closing my eyes, I reach out to Catherine, soothing her with my purr. If Whiteport finds my actions odd, he has well enough sense not to say anything.

We’re trying to find you, love. I need more information. Can you pry out of him a street, a county, something, anything? Though I do my best to keep the concern out of my voice, I worry it’s still bleeding over into her.

The pounding of her heart reaches me through the bond. I can feel her distress and fear as keenly as my own. Her anxiety gnaws at me, tearing me from the inside out. It’s not right that she has to face this alone without me there to save her.

For the first time, the feeling of impotence washes over me. However, instead of allowing that to fester and cause me to wallow, I shore up my resolve. I will find her. I will knock on every damn door if I have to. I will visit every inn, turning them upside down until she’s back in my arms.

He’s not giving me much, and I fear he’s growing suspicious. I worry about what will happen when he finds the mark you gave me.

The cocksucker! No doubt he will know she’s spying. Though I’m not sure what his endgame is, knowing she has my claiming mark will no doubt speed up whatever nefarious plot cooks in his mind.

Relax, love. We will find a way. Anything you can give me will help, but whatever you do, keep the mark a secret. Do not pester him any longer.

Turning to Whiteport, my lips thin. “The situation is dire, and we are no closer to finding her than when we started.”

“I would suggest splitting up, but then there will be no way to communicate. Bollocks.”

“My sentiments exactly.”

Urging the horses back onto the road, we traverse the main passageways. Unless he was meandering, choosing unnecessary back roads, we will have to come across this inn. Next to me, Whiteport remains silent as we ride on to the next town.

Every so often, I check back in with her via the bond, but thankfully, nothing has worsened. It kills me to be apart from her like this, especially when I’m so helpless in assisting her. The only saving grace is the strength I feel flowing through her veins. I pray it will keep her alive.

Sunlight fades fast as we race forward. Beneath me, my stallion heaves, no doubt worn out to near exhaustion. We cannot keep riding them like this. Like it or not, we’ll have to stop.

As if fortune smiles down on us, the next inn we see is The Blue Peacock. Elation blossoms in my chest as we pull up and hand our horses off to the groom standing watch. Balling my fists, I storm up to the door, only to have Whiteport grab my arm.

“We cannot burst in there half-cocked. He holds your woman hostage, and I’m sure you do not wish to see her come to harm. I have a better idea. No one will be expecting me to arrive and see no issue with my needing a room. I will come to you when I have information.”

“But she’s-”

“Fine for now, but won’t be if you cause a ruckus. I promise to alert you the moment she is found.”

With a sigh, I wave him on, watching as the fate of my mate lies in the hands of one of my best friends. He disappears into the inn, his body rigid, on high alert. I long to follow him, to be there as he knocks heads together.

He’s right, though. As much as I loathe sitting on my arse while someone else does the work, I can’t chance Catherine getting caught in the crossfire. Closing my eyes, I reach back out, touching the bond.

Fear and anguish blast into me, nearly choking me with its intensity. All I can do is purr. It seems so paltry, so worthless. What the devil is taking Whiteport so long?

Standing, I pace back and forth, no doubt looking every inch the madman. Others milling about grant me a wide berth, not wishing to entangle with the likes of me. As hard as it is to stand idly by, the moment Catherine’s scream erupts into my mind, I know I can no longer just wait.

I storm toward the door, nearly colliding with Whiteport as he races out. He steadies me, grabbing my shoulders, but I don’t see him. All I see is Catherine lying on some dingy bed, terror widening her sapphire eyes.

“She's not here,” he cries out, raising his voice to battle the violence in my mind.

I freeze, looking up at him. “That’s impossible. It was the innkeeper that announced it. Not some villain at his side.” Unless he knows about the bond. But no, Catherine would have said as much. “Do you think he has mercenaries stationed throughout England? Is his reach so vast?”

“Though I cannot speak to that aspect, the innkeeper informed me there are several inns with this name.”

“Then we will visit them all.”

“The innkeeper gave me several locations, and based on his end trajectory, I’ve been able to narrow them down. I understand the driving need, but our horses must rest. You must rest. No sense in hunting them down while staggering on your feet. Come, let us eat and plan our move. By the time we have contrived a strategy, we can set back out.” Pity, sympathy, and just a hint of cajoling threads his voice.

“I’m fine.”