Page 98 of A Bride for the Devilish Duke
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Damien knocked at the door of his own bedchamber, now devoted to Harry's needs.
Rightfully his rooms anyhow. He is the true Duke. Not I. What little remains of the Redmane wealth will go to him. I can begin anew. Emma and I can begin anew.
“Come in,” Elsie's voice replied to his knock, softly.
Damien entered. Harry was lying in Damien's bed. His skin was gray, and his hair snow-white. He looked like a dead man. Damien approached uncertainly. Elsie sat by his side, holding his hand, and looking at him with devotion.
“He was awake earlier and talking. He told me much of his past and yours. I hope that is not an intrusion, Your Grace. I didn't pry,” Elsie said with coyness.
Damien waved it away. “This house has seen far too many secrets, Elsie. I would like to speak to my brother alone now though.”
“He is resting for the moment, Your Grace,” Elsie added protectively.
“He has a long time in which to rest. For now, I should like to speak to him.”
Elsie did not move but instead took hold of Harry's hand more firmly.
“Your Grace, I was once a nurse and that instinct is strong. Your brother was at the brink of death when we found him. I cannot countenance risking his health.”
Damien stared in disbelief at this unexpected defiance from a servant.
“Elsie, I give my household a deal more leeway than many employers but I am still your employer. I have given you a direct order.”
Elsie shook her head firmly. “I am employed by Her Grace, the Duchess, as I have been since I accompanied her to Montrose—Sedgewick. If my mistress says so, then I will comply.”
Damien's explosion of anger was forestalled by the sound of his wife's voice from downstairs. She was calling for her sister in an increasingly frantic tone. Then she was screaming for Damien.
He rushed to the door of his suite of rooms, tearing the outer door open. Emma was coming up the stairs and saying the same thing over and over.
“He has taken her! Silas Sutherland has taken Josie!”
“Welcome, Your Grace, to my humble home!” Sir Silas Sutherland said at the door to Sedgewick Hall, formerly the residence of the Montrose family. Damien dismounted and strode towards him, fists clenched.
“Where is my sister-in-law, Sutherland?” Damien demanded.
“Your sister-in-law? Now, which would that be? I believe there are two younger Montrose girls now that Emma is off the market as it were,” Sutherland said with an oily smile.
Damien reached him and had to stop himself from seizing Sutherland. He wanted to strangle the man. To beat him to within an inch of his life. But Josie had to be found safely and that meant humoring the man. Restraining himself was not as hard as restraining Emma had been.
“I think you know. The threat in your note was evident and Josie has not been seen since your visit. One chance, Sutherland, and one, only to produce her. If I do not call you out, then her brother surely will. You have heard of his victory against my cousin?”
“I have. I heard that he was extremely lucky. Or guided by providence perhaps. I do not believe I have anything to fear from either of you.”
Damien raised an eyebrow. “How do you reason that?”
“Because when I invited Josephine to visit with me, it was on the understanding that it would be a presage to our marriage. Previously, I had spoken of this to her father but Emmeline's sudden engagement to your good self proved a distraction. Josephine and I intend to renew that plan. Would you care to come in and discuss the matter with her?”
What blackmail is this snake attempting now? What can he possibly be holding over Josie that she would agree to this?
Damien narrowed his eyes, nodding curtly.
He followed Sutherland into the house and to the drawing room on the south side of the building, overlooking the gardens. Josie sat there, a cup of tea beside her and her hands folded delicately in her lap. The cup was full, while another next to it was empty. Josie was pale. She rose as Damien came in. He went to her, taking her hands in his own.
“I have come to take you back to Redmane. Emma is waiting there,” he said, kindly.
“I am quite well, thank you, Your Grace,” Josie said, uncertainly. “I am here of my own volition. I can assure you.”
