Page 69 of A Duke's Scandalous Obsession
“That is why we must catch him,” Dominic clarified. “He is the only person who knows where the girls are. If he believes he has the money in his hands, he will be more open to cooperate. I told you, Cate. I don’t care about the money. I just want them back home safe.”
Catherine’s heart swelled with gratitude as she looked at him, his noble countenance softened by the sunlight entering the hallway through the big windows to their side. With trembling hands, she reached out to grasp his, her touch a silent testament to the bond that had formed between them amidst the trials and tribulations of their shared journey.
“I cannot begin to express how much you help means to Reginald and me,” she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.
Dominic’s gaze softened with understanding, his eyes reflecting the depth of emotion that echoed within her own. With a gentle squeeze of her hand, he offered a reassuring smile, his unwavering presence a source of comfort and strength in her hour of need.
“You don’t need to thank me, Cate,” he replied, his voice a soothing balm to her troubled soul. “It is my honor and privilegeto stand by your side, although I have at first usurped that position. Now, I hope that I stand there with your permission, ready to offer whatever assistance I can to you and Reginald.”
Tears continued to flow down her cheeks as she listened to his words, her heart overflowing with gratitude for the man who had started off as almost an enemy, but who had, in the meantime, become her steadfast companion and confidant. In that fleeting moment of shared vulnerability, she felt closer to him than ever before and she knew that feeling was only growing.
With a trembling breath, she leaned forward, her forehead coming to rest against his. She closed her eyes, listening to the steady sound of his breathing, taking comfort in the knowledge that he would be by her side no matter what. She never knew that they would reach this point in their marriage, and yet, here they were. Together, hand in hand, ready to help her brother.
He pulled away with a smile, wiping away her tears with his fingers. “It has been quite a day, hasn’t it, my dear?”
“Yes,” she smiled back. “But it is not over yet.”
“Not nearly over,” he agreed, looking at his clothes. “I really need to get out of these clothes and take a long bath before this evening.”
She thought about it for a moment, then she seemed to have an idea. “But… wouldn’t it be better to appear at the agreed place still wearing a disguise?”
He looked at her, his eyes wide. “Why… that is a marvelous idea! That means I do not need to take a bath at all.”
She chuckled at his conclusion. “I didn’t mean that. Do take a bath, but just put on the same clothes.”
“Not the same ones,” he shook his head. “Maybe he recognized us. Or maybe he noticed that we were surveying the boy. I don’t know. Whatever it is, I do not think that it is a good idea to use the same disguise. I’ll go see if Mrs. Jenkins has any more old clothes I could borrow for me and Tim. He is coming over here, then we are headed to the rendezvous place.”
“Reginald is going alone?” Catherine asked apprehensively.
“He has to,” Dominic explained. “The note stated for him to come alone. In the meantime, we shall check around the place to see if there is anyone else working with Thompson. Then, once we assure that we’re all safe, we will appear before him and demand to know where the girls are.”
Catherine sighed heavily. It all sounded so complicated, so frightening.
“I hope everything goes according to plan,” she said softly.
“Pray that is does, my love,” he smiled, caressing her cheek. “As for us, we will do everything in our power to bring Annabel and Rosie back home safely. You have my word.”
She smiled. She knew that he could not promise such a thing, when almost nothing was under his control, and yet, she still felt reassured. She trusted her husband. Even more than that, she loved him and she knew that somehow, he would pull through.
“Just be safe,” she whispered tenderly. “I need you to come back to me. We still haven’t finished what we started at the library.” She had no idea where that came from, especially at a moment such as this one. But she couldn’t resist it. And her comment alleviated the tension of the situation. It made them both chuckle at the same time. It reminded them how much they cared about each other.
“Well, when you put it that way, how can a man resist?” he replied playfully, giving her a peck on the cheek, then heading upstairs.
She watched him disappear in the darkened corridor, then she was alone. She inhaled deeply, trying to calm herself down. This situation was more dangerous than anything she could ever have imagined. But she had faith in her husband. He would bring the girls back. She was certain of it.
Chapter 34
“So, this is the house?” Timothy asked, as the two men lurked around a tall, dilapidated house which seemed utterly abandoned.
“Mmm,” Dominic nodded.
They moved with silent precision; their footsteps muffled by the soft carpet of fallen leaves that littered the ground beneath their feet. Around them, the old house loomed like a shadowy specter, its weathered façade a testament to the passage of time and neglect.
At one point, it was probably the most beautiful house in all the neighborhood. Dominic could see remnants of its former glory, but as it was the case with all things in life, lack of attention and affection made everything and everyone wither away and die.
“The back,” Dominic whispered to Tim, exchanging signals to move, as they skirted around the perimeter of the house, their movements swift and sure as they sought out the back entrance. In the darkness, the two were like phantoms, their figures obscured by the veil of night as they crept closer and closer to their target. Dominic knew that it was paramount for them to remain unseen, otherwise everything would be ruined.
As they reached the rear of the house, Dominic motioned for Tim to follow, his eyes sharp and watchful as they inspected the surrounding shadows for any sign of movement.
