Page 64 of Only a Duke
“A simple order and that rough and tumble pup scampered off to town,” Oliver clarified matter-of-factly.
“And you found the ledger before he arrived back.”
Oliver shrugged. “I would have knocked him out and locked him in the stables if he had come back sooner.”
“So what’s the plan then now that you have the ledger and we shook off our chaperones?” Helgate asked. “Return to Brighton or to Ashford in the morning?”
Oliver considered their options. The sooner they returned to Ashford, the sooner they could search for the other possible ledger. However, “Send two men to the Havendish property to watch out for any movement from Lady Louisa’s family. The moment any of the Talbots leave, I want a man chasing the sun to inform me. As for us, we wait one day and one night. If Maxen Fury does not find us here in that time, we head back for Ashford.”
“What about the betting book?”
“They’ll still have the book in a few days.”
“You do realize you might anger those brothers?”
Oliver gave a light scoff, imagining all the ways they already angered two of the Furys. “If they wish to play in my league, they best show up in their best form. Besides, the duchess might have a ledger as well, and Lady Ophelia might still have copies of the book.”
“I see.” Helgate’s eyes sharpened. “And you think the ledger would be better for evidence?”
He handed the ledger over to Helgate. “Have a look and see for yourself.”
“With pleasure.”
Oliver glanced over his shoulder, back at the carriage. “I’ll go retrieve Lady Louisa.” He was rather surprised she hadn’t woken up, given that she struggled to sleep at times.
She must be exhausted.
Helgate nodded, and Oliver strode back to the carriage and peered inside. Still sleeping. He didn’t bother to attempt to wake her, simply hooked one arm beneath her legs and the other behind her back and carried her from the carriage. He stirred against him, her breath warm on his neck, but she didn’t wake up.
Helgate shut the carriage door for him, murmuring to the driver, and then led the way back to the cottage. The door creaked on its hinges as it shut behind them.
“It’s small, but it will do in a pinch,” Helgate said quietly.
“No bother.”
Helgate led him to a chamber he had prepared, and Oliver nodded his thanks. “Go get some rest.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll keep watch.”
His friend raised a brow but didn’t say anything more as he nodded and disappeared into the chamber across from them.
Oliver trod over to the bed and carefully laid Louisa on the mattress. She still didn’t wake, which impressed him and concerned him at the same time. Anyone would be able to carry her away at this point. She had no sense of awareness.
Or perhaps she was just that comfortable.
He couldn’t fathom ever feeling that at ease, especially in the arms of someone who could be an enemy. And family feud or not, a man was an enemy to an innocent lady. He couldn’t help the protectiveness that swelled inside him.
He sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze roaming over her face. What he wouldn’t give to rest as peacefully as she did at the moment. Even if just for a minute. One minute to close his eyes.
Oliver carefully lowered down onto the mattress beside her, one of his feet still on the ground, unwilling to fully surrender to the temptation. He would rest his head just for a few heartbeats.
Just one minute.
Then he would rise, move to the drawing room, and keep watch for any sign of Reaper or one of his brothers, who were sure to be on their way. They might not know of Helgate’s cottage, but given their resources, they should be able to locate it without much difficulty. If they didn’t, that meant they were at an impasse, neither side willing to give an inch.
Oliver didn’t mind.
