Page 42 of A Father's Insistence

Chapter Twenty

Joanna

Idon’t think I’ve ever begged time to go so quickly. I just want to know what’s happening as I pace up and down the living room of Oakfield Hall. My hands are shaking, and I keep humming to myself to settle my nerves.

The soft murmurs of a waking baby in the bassinet beside me draw my attention. Nicholas left in such a hurry he entrusted the care of his daughter to me while supervised by a stern looking butler at all times. Apparently, it’s the nanny’s day off, but she’s making her way back from visiting her cousin in Oxford as a matter of urgency.

Little Rose coos after her sleep before getting a bit more disgruntled when her mother doesn’t appear. I look at the butler, and his eyes widen in fear of the tiny human in the crib.

“What’s wrong with her ladyship?” he asks, and I try to stifle my amusement that a young baby is being formally referred to as ‘her ladyship’.

“I suspect she needs changing and feeding.” I go over to the cot and dangle my hand in. I’ve taken a quick shower after my assault and wrapped myself up in one of Victoria’s dressing gowns, so I’m clean. Little Rose looks up at me with a squint, trying to focus. Her crying becomes a little more panicked when she realizes I’m not her mother or father.

“It’s all right, little lady.” I bring her up into my arms and rock her gently. “Daddy has just gone to get your mummy and Uncle Theo. They’ll be back soon.” I pat under her bottom to feel her diaper, and it feels full.

“Is that uncomfortable? Let’s get you changed while Mr. Alfred arranges for your bottle to be brought up.” Before she left, I was told Victoria requested some milk for Rose. Alfred quickly disappears to retrieve it, and I’m left with a grumpy baby. I carry her over to the changing table and quickly make her more comfortable. We then settle down in a chair and wait for the milk. I can’t help but fall instantly in love with her. A perfect angel born into a world of chaos. I can only hope she’ll have a better future than the one her mother and I have experienced.

The door to the nursery opens and a tired looking Nicholas walks in with a bottle. I stand and hand him his daughter. He looks like he needs her.

“What happened?” I’m too afraid to ask, but I know I must.

“The Viscount has taken Victoria and Tamara. We saved Theo, though.” A noise behind the Duke distracts my attention, and I see my husband leaning against William. He’s been wounded.

“Theo.” I run to him and fling my arms around him. I’m trying my hardest not to cry, but an anguished sob leaves my throat.

“It’s ok. I’m all right.” He kisses the top of my head. “You did so well escaping and getting here. I’m so proud of you.”

“I’m sorry,” I whimper into his chest.

“I know the truth now. We can put a stop to this,” Theo reassures me. I feel the room close in with the tension, and the three men surrounding me look urgently down at the phone in William’s hand.

“What is happening with Victoria and Tamara? Have you called the police?”

“No,” Nicholas replies curtly.

“We’ll deal with it our way,” William adds, and I don’t dare ask what he means even though in my heart I already know, and it won’t be pretty.

The mobile in William’s hand rings, and we all freeze and stare at it for a few seconds before he answers and puts it on speaker.

“William Cavendish.”

“It’s Carter.”

“You got them?” The conversation is clipped and straight to the point.

“We’ve got an issue with the tracker. Hamilton must have his own people with links to MI5. Only they could block the signal .” The dominant voice from the other side of the phone explains.

William looks at his brother. Nicholas comes closer and asks,

“What are you doing about it?”

“Everything I can. I wanted to give you a quick update. Ryan and I are going to go and get some answers from the grid itself. You’ll have to give me another hour, and then I’ll have a location.”

“I don’t know if we have an hour.” Nicholas cradles his daughter who’s happily sucking on her bottle, unaware of the tension in the room.

“I’ll have to bash heads together harder, then.”

The phone goes dead.

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