Page 130 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke
‘We found a landlord who rented a room to a man looking like Wareham a few days ago. He recognised the image Your Grace drew. We are on our way there. I thought Your Grace would wish to come.’
‘Yes.’ John’s pulse raced.
A knock struck the library door.
‘Come,’ John called.
‘John?’ It was Edward.
‘Mr Harvey has found Wareham. Apparently he is Grandfather’s bastard. Do you wish to come?’
Edward’s eyes widened as his right hand curled into a fist. ‘Of course. Let me change.’ Edward turned to leave just as Finch knocked on the open door, the two nearly colliding.
‘A young lad delivered this a moment ago, Your Grace.’ Finch held out a folded piece of paper. ‘The child was told to bring it to the front door. He said only the Duke of Pembroke was to read it.’
‘Is he waiting on an answer?’ Walking forward, John knew it was from Wareham.
He took the note as Finch replied, ‘No, Your Grace, the child ran off.’
John felt the tip of a sword slip into his stomach as he unfolded the paper.
I have your wife.
The air left John’s lungs.
‘John?’
He thrust the note at Edward. ‘Is Katherine not at home?’
‘No, she?—’
‘We have to go.’ John looked at Harvey as Edward looked at the note and paled. ‘Give Lord Edward the address. He can follow.’
48
The mattress Katherine lay on was solid and uncomfortable, filled with straw.
Her eyes opened.
The bed was iron-framed and stood in the corner of a small room. The air smelt foul, damp and mouldy. A single square window opposite showed her it was dark outside. How long had she been here? She remembered the tea shop and leaving there…
Pain burned her wrists and ankles as she tried to move. She was bound, and the rope cut into her skin.
She tried to swallow but there was a cloth in her mouth.
The sound of footsteps crossed the room and then a chair scraped against the floor. She twisted her head to see him.
I am going to die.No one knew where she was. No one knew she had left with Mr Wareham.
‘You are awake, then.’
He sat in a chair a little behind her and leaned forward. His eyes were so like John’s. His fingers brushed her cheek then pulled away.
‘You failed to mention when we met, Katherine, what I knew…’
What?
‘You married that arrogant boy, did you not?’
