Page 116 of A Baby to Seal the Duke’s Fate

“What duke?” she asked, pretending she did not want to give him the information.

“The one whose house you left.”

She stared at him.

“How do you know so much about me?” she asked. “About us? How do you know we even left a duke’s home?”

The man glowered at her.

“His name,” he said. “I am the one asking the questions. You would do well to answer them and be quiet otherwise.”

Honora nodded, allowing her lip to tremble as if she was afraid.

“Belgrave,” she said.

The man’s expression changed slightly. “Lord Belgrave?”

“The Duke of Belgrave,” she said.

He nodded, as if she had just confirmed something. “Good.”

He turned toward the door.

Honora’s voice stopped him. “May I please have more food for the baby?” She hated how whiny her voice sounded. But she did not know how long it would take the men to contact her father or Leopold. She only knew that Cecily could not go much longer with only bread and water.

He glanced back. “If your family pays, she will be eating well again soon enough.”

Then he left. The lock turned.

Honora stood in the middle of the room. She hated him, hated the men downstairs, hated Isolde, and hated herself most of all for the foolishness that had led her there.

But she had given them two names, two places, two trails. Her father. Leopold. One of them would understand. She had to believe that.

The rest of the morning passed slowly. Cecily slept more than usual, which worried Honora, though she suspected hunger was taking its toll.

When the door opened again after midday, one of the men carried two sheets of paper. He placed them on the table and gestured toward it, stepping back.

“We are sending these.”

Honora stared at them.

The man looked at her. “One goes to your father.” He tapped the first page. “The other goes to the duke.”

Honora looked at the second letter. Her hands curled at her sides.

“What do they say?” she asked, not wanting to move any closer to the men.

“Enough.” He held up the first page. “Your father will be told his daughter and granddaughter are being held.”

Honora’s breath caught. “And the other?”

“The Duke will be told the same.” The man gave her a cold smile. “He will also know the lady who arranged your removal has not paid what she promised.”

Honora’s eyes narrowed. “You know who she is?”

“We know she has enough money and power that her lack of payment is insulting. And everyone who insults us regrets it.”

Honora scoffed, despite the gravity of the situation.