Page 67 of A Duke's Scandalous Obsession
“Perhaps,” Timothy nodded.
“We shall go with you and check,” Dominic said, leading the way to their carriage.
The ride was short and uneventful, with all three men silent and lost in their own thoughts. Dominic wondered how all this would end. He didn’t care about the money one bit, even if he were never to see that sum again. He wanted to ensure that Annabel and Rosie were all right.
They didn’t deserve any of this. He also knew that this was partly his redemption. This was another way to prove to his wife, to her brother, that he realized his mistake and the sort of man he had presented himself to be. But that wasn’t him. He wanted them to see the real him, and only dire trouble showed the real face of men.
They reached Reginald’s home, and he led them inside.
“Jones, has the morning mail arrived?” Reginald inquired with his stunned butler, who didn’t recognize his master immediately. His eyes were wide and incredulous. Dominic almost burst into laughter at the butler, who thought that his master’s home was being invaded by three beggars. It was so preposterous that it was beyond funny. However, this was not the time for laughing.
“Why… yes,” Jones finally realized that it was his master, when Reginald wiped off some of the grime off his face, revealing himself. “It is there.” Jones paused, frowning. “Should I tell one of the maids to run a bath for you, my lord?”
“No, that won’t be necessary, Jones,” Reginald waved his hand dismissively, rushing over to a small desk with the morning correspondence.
He grabbed everything, throwing one letter after another, realizing that wasn’t what he had been looking for. Then, a moment later, his hand started to tremble. He opened a letter as his eyes skimmed through the contents. He immediately handed it to Dominic upon finishing.
Lord Stanhope,
I thought you were smarter than that. Now, the price is six thousand pounds. There is an old house at the end of Blossom Street. Broken fence, border up windows. The entrance is in the back. I will be waiting for you there this evening at eight o’clock sharp. Come alone, unless you want to remain alone for the rest of your life.
“It is settled then,” Dominic said, folding the letter. “We all go there tonight.”
“But he said to come alone,” Reginald said with a trembling voice.
“Because he won’t be,” Timothy said wisely. “We will come separately. Don’t worry, neither you nor he will see us. But you can’t go alone.”
“All right,” Reginald finally agreed.
Dominic knew that everything rested on that evening. If they lost that chance, Reginald would never see Annabel and Rosie ever again.
Chapter 33
As soon as Dominic returned home, Catherine flew towards him to inquire what had happened. She helped disrobe him, shaking her head at his disguise.
“Did you have to make yourself smell like a beggar, too?” she wondered. “Looking like one wasn’t enough?”
“No, no,” Dominic shook his head. “We had to blend in. But even like this, we didn’t catch him.”
She stopped unbuttoning his shirt the moment she heard that. “You didn’t?”
“No,” he shook his head again, gently pressing his hand into hers so it was resting on his chest, exactly in the place where his heart was beating. There was something endearing, tender about that moment that she didn’t want to interrupt.
“So, there is no news?” she asked, trembling at the thought of Annabel and Rosie’s fate being undetermined for one more day. Her heart ached for the little girl, who was probably frightened more than ever before. Fortunately, she was with her mother. That was the silver lining in this entire ordeal.
“Your brother did receive the second letter with the instructions,” he clarified gravely. “New instructions.”
She frowned. “What do you mean, new instructions?”
“I think he knew we were trying to catch him,” he spoke slowly, heavily, as if every word he spoke caused him great physical discomfort. “So, he didn’t come to the little boy. The letter reached Reginald’s home, so we think he probably gave it to another urchin off the streets.”
“I see,” Catherine nodded. “What are the new instructions?”
Dominic hesitated for a moment, obviously considering whether to share it with her or not. He finally decided for it. “He is asking for one thousand more.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “Six thousand pounds?”
“Yes,” he nodded, then hastily added. “I don’t mind, Cate. I really don’t. I will have the money for tonight, as he demanded.”
