Page 77 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke
This unfortunately involved Cecilia, and the thought of her being deceived by a man who didn't deserve her, filled him with rage.
"Who is your father?" he asked, his voice dripping with lethal intent. Hector squirmed, uncomfortable with the line of questioning.
"He will kill me if I tell you," Hector answered finally.
"I assure you, you will be dead before he gets his hands on you, because I will kill you myself," Theo shot back on a growl of frustration.
There was a long pause as Hector weighed his options and the seriousness of his threat. He must have determined that Theo would carry out the threat, because in the next moment he released a single word, the name of the man behind the whole ruse and nothing could have prepared Theo for the shock that ran through him.
In the next moment, he limped over to where William stood watching him while keeping an eye out for trouble.
"I need your help," he said in an urgent whisper.
William raised an eyebrow, but did not ask any further questions, perhaps the urgency in his tone informed his decision to ask questions later. "I need you to help me take this coward," he said pointing at Hector, "to Blackmore's house."
Securing Hector to William's coach outside the alley was surprisingly easy; he had most likely determined the futility of struggle. Once they had him secured, Theo turned to William with a grim look.
"Call for the constables, tell them to come to Blackmore's house."
CHAPTER 27
The ride to Blackmore's was a blur. The pain from his wounds faded to the back of his mind as he reeled under the weight of what he had discovered. It was inconceivable that the villain behind their troubles was someone so close. It was ridiculous. While he was ready to call Hector's bluff, something about his expression when he revealed the name of his father told him that he was telling the truth.
There was only one way to confirm his worst suspicions, he was going to ask the supposed villain. Good thing he knew where exactly the bastard was at this moment.
When the coach came to a stop at the Blackmore residence, he wasted no time jumping down, ignoring the twinge of pain in his injured side at the rough movement. In seconds, he climbed up the stairs, pushing his injured legs till he was at the door, banging loudly, panting with pain and exertion.
He was frantic. He had to tell them, let them know the danger they were in.
When the butler opened, the elderly man had a murderous look on his face, most likely disapproving his unrefined way of knocking. Now he was staring down at him like he was some creature he had never seen before. Theo didn't care at the moment, he had no time to entertain the man's penchant for inspecting his guests like insects under microscope.
He simply pushed past him, ignoring the choking sound coming from behind him as the butler protested his rude entry.
"Sir, you cannot -"
Good thing that the old man could not give chase with his weak knees, because he had no intention of stopping. Time was of the essence and he had no time to waste explaining the purpose of his visit to the stuffy butler.
Theo found his way to the dining room, pushing the doors open, and sure enough Blackmore and Cecilia were having dinner with their guest, his Uncle Cuthbert. He had introduced him to Magnus earlier, since he had been interested in some of Magnus's business plans. Perhaps he had come for that meeting to discuss about it.
His loud entrance got their attention, because in the next moment they all turned towards him with varying expressions. Blackmore raised a brow in surprise. Cecilia looked horrified at his appearance, while his uncle just looked mildly concerned.
"Emerton," Blackmore spoke up. "What is this? Did you have a duel with a tiger? You look terrible."
"My apologies for interrupting your dinner, Blackmore. I just need to speak to my uncle."
"You cannot just come and summon guests from my table without a proper explanation. You need to have someone tend to you. You look terrible," Blackmore replied. Cecilia was already standing up and approaching Theo, her eyes filled with concern.
"I will clean your wounds, Your Grace," she said when she stood beside him, she was studiously avoiding his eyes, her gaze turned to the ground.
"Yes, go with her, Theo. I am sure whatever we are to discuss could wait for your wounds to be tended," his uncle intoned.
That statement was the last straw that broke his self-control. In the next moment he exploded in anger.
"Everyone stop! Do not treat me like I am a child. I will have my wound tended when I wish to and not a moment before," he said, shooting a warning look at Magnus and Cecilia.
Cecilia promptly shifted away, giving him the space to think.
"Uncle," he said turning to face his uncle squarely. "Thank you for your concern."
