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On a biological level we had changed, but there would be other changes—changes of address, of society, or names even. Instead of fear, my heart swelled with joy and pride. I would have my nest with them. They would learn my bad habits; I would learn theirs. We would contend with jealousies and celebrate each other in hours, days of passionate love making. We would fill each others days and nights. I would challenge them, and in return they would provide… guidance. Not to prevent me from doing something but to demonstrate their care and protective instincts. I would be their omega, and they my alphas.
For that reason, my heart did not break even though my mate-bites ached as the distance between us lengthened with each sure stride of four beautiful greys.
“Please, if you will go and see to Viola,” Orley asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. “I want to talk to the servants again. If, on reflection, they saw anything untoward.”
“Of course… Give my mother and Mrs Markham my good thoughts when they leave.”
“Yes.”
Entering the house again made me shiver. Something unpleasant had happened here and like with all old houses, the deeds of the residents lingered in the air.
Rubbing my arms to take away the unnatural chill, I began the long walk to find my sister. I slipped into Viola’s nest. Her face was grim and a little tear stained. I sat on the edge of her nest, not wanting to intrude, yet wanting to give her a huge, a soothing hug.
“Come here.” I held my arms open for her.
“What news?” she sniffed when she’d crawled close enough for me to drape an arm around her shoulders..
“Mama and Mrs. Markham have gone to London in the hopes they might have gone there… If he has a special license… or… No! I won’t dwell…”
“Your mates?”
“Scotland. The alphas all think it is the best hope.”
“What? Why! No! Wales, Bea! Wales! Remember Hero’s words that night? I could not forget them. She spoke of Wales. Her father’s brother is in Wales. He and his mate dote on Hero and would sanction the marriage if Hero begged… He’ll make her beg… He’ll say she is ruined and that marriage to him is her only hope.”
“Oh no!” I gasped, if I was anything like Vi, my face would be white as a sheet. “How could I have forgot? Wales… I must find Orley and tell him. No,” I shook my head. “No. I can go. He must stay here with you in case there is news.”
“It is a Tuesday, Bea,” Viola whispered. “Please… With so many people I love out there… What if something were to happen to you?”
“Nothing compared to what could happen to Hero…”
We both fell silent, our hands wrapped about the other’s tight enough for the knuckles to turn white.
“I will help,” Viola said. “But you cannot go like that.”
“It doesn’t matter how I go.”
“Bea, you smell of heat sex. You must at least wash and put fresh clothes on.”
I growled but submitted to my little sister’s logic. After all, she’d been the one to successfully masquerade as an alpha while I’d gone into heat on the one time I’d entered a sanctuary of the alphas who controlled the art world.
A beta maid brought water for me to wash with, but I was impatient with the help I was offered. “I need to move! Every moment…”
What felt hours probably took minutes but as I struggled into my boots, Orley walked in. A single glance, long knowledge of my sister’s schemes, and quick mind told him all.
He glared at me. “I don’t approve. You shouldn’t…”
“Then who?” I asked, feeling a kind of frigid calm settle around me. I’d not be turned aside. “You cannot.”
His alpha growl caused Vi to whimper.
“See to Vi,” I urged him. “Take care of her. I’ll take a groom, two. However many you want. I am not going to take unnecessary risks. I’ve my pistol. Stimpson won’t hurt her. He can’t. He needs her alive if he’s to get the money.”
The duke assessed me, but I refused to cower under his stern, alpha gaze. “Come back safe.”
“If we are right, I shall be back… I hope to be back before my mates.” I touched his shoulder. “Take care of my sister. That is what a mate would do.”
“You Hartwells.” He groused.
