Page 152 of Finch

Was that Geoffrey? Finch thought it might be. Why was he here and not in California?

“Well, strictly speaking, I’m not,” said another voice. One much easier to identify. It was

Harrison.

“You are, cantaloupe, through me. Much as Father is your father-in-law.” That was Everard.

Finch looked down and wondered if he could hide under the desk. It would probably be his

best option.

“The dragons here to see you,” Willoughby announced in forbidding tones. “I had asked them

to stay in the drawing room where I put them, but it seems etiquette is lost on those hailing

from across the ocean. They claim they’re here to see you regarding a missing person.”

“Indeed.” Atticus shot Finch a look, complete with raised silver eyebrow. “And who might they

have misplaced?”

Finch tried to calm his racing heart with deep breaths, but to no result. He felt nauseous, light-

headed, feverish, and utterly exhausted. He was in absolutely no fit state to deal with any of

this, but it didn’t look as if he had a choice.

“Misplaced, my ass. You abducted Finch and I demand to have him back this instant!” It was

Hugh’s voice. Hugh was here. Hugh was here for Finch.

Geoffrey groaned. “Did I not say you weren’t to do any of the talking?”

“You did say that,” Harrison supplied helpfully. “I heard you say it many times.”

“Finch,” Atticus boomed. “Would you care to explain what’s going on?”

“I—” Finch took out his handkerchief and mopped his sweaty brow. It was hard to think over

the spikes of pain in his head and the blood rushing in his ears. He stepped closer to

Willoughby, drawn by Hugh’s presence. He wanted to touch his dragon. Somehow, someway,

Finch felt that all would be well if he could just lay one hand against Hugh’s cheek. Everything

would be better if he could smell Hugh’s skin and look into his plum-colored eyes.

Finch shook his head. No. That was nonsense. He had to be strong. He had to make Hugh

leave. It was for his own good.

“Get out of my bloody way, you jumped-up footman,” Hugh snarled. Willoughby might have

been formidable, but dragons were strong. The butler found himself shoved, albeit humanely,

aside, and in strode Hugh. He looked awful. His hair was unkempt, there were dark circles

under his eyes, and his suit was wrinkled and hung on his frame as if he’d recently lost weight.

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