Page 64 of The Truth Serum
She looked back to Kynthea. “Miss Petrelli, could I trouble you for a ride home tonight? It appears my brother has other matters to attend, but I should like to stay for the next play.”
Fletcher’s hand tightened painfully on her arm. “You will come with me,” he growled.
“I do love a comedy,” she said loudly.
And thankfully, Miss Petrelli caught her cue. “I should love to have your company this evening. We can continue our discussion!”
“Yes,” added the duke. “I am quite happy to escort her home.”
He reached out his hand, and Rebecca was quick to grasp it. That had her suspended between the duke on one side and her brother on the other, in a kind of tug-of-war. Her brother wasn’t one to give up, but then he’d never squared off with the duke before. And she knew for a fact that he wanted to be in the duke’sgood graces. But did he want that more than he wanted to yell at Rebecca for some imagined mistake?
She didn’t know and there was a long, tense moment where quiet fury filled Fletcher’s eyes.
“Fletcher,” the duke said in a jovial tone. “Pray let her stay as a personal favor to me.”
Her brother’s expression lightened. “A personal favor? Goodness, Ras, what are you suggesting with my sister?”
Nothing like her brother implied. Nothing salacious. Thankfully, the duke didn’t take the bait. Instead, he remained friendly though his eyes seemed cold.
“I should love for my duchess to make a friend in your sister.”
“Of course, of course,” Fletcher said. “I shouldn’t want to stand in the way of that.” His gaze turned to Rebecca. “I shall see you when you get home, sister. Don’t stay out late.”
Ice skated down her spine. Fletcher was furious. She didn’t really understand why. None of this was her fault, but that clearly didn’t matter. And she briefly thought of giving in. She should go home with him and try to reason—
No. She’d only this morning realized that the things her brother had been telling her about Nate were completely wrong. What else had he told her that was equally off? She needed friends. She needed people who saw things that she could not. And she needed them now.
“Good evening, Fletcher. I do hope you are able to calmyourfriend.” She tried to emphasize that Mr. Martin or Mitchell or whomever had nothing to do with her. That little rebellion wasn’t lost on her brother either.
“Mr. Mitchell can go to the devil,” he said quietly. Then he glanced at the duke. “No man makes my sister uncomfortable.”
No man, of course, except him.
God, how had she not seen the extent of her brother’s frightening personality? How had all of her family ignored it?And what was she going to do about it now, when he controlled every aspect of her life?
Fletcher bowed to the duke and his fiancée. Then he smiled at her. “I’ll see you at home, Rebecca. Good night.”
And on that unsettling threat, Rebecca found her seat. The comedy started, but she had no thoughts for it. She fidgeted and twisted in her seat. Enough that Miss Petrelli asked if she was well. And as much as she wanted to spill all her thoughts, she couldn’t. The woman was a virtual stranger. Better to wait for a response from Henry.
Sadly, that wouldn’t solve what might be waiting for her when she got home.
She was still stewing on her problem when something strange happened. A footman in livery she didn’t recognize discreetly entered the box. He bowed to the duke and proffered a note. A moment later, the duke started up from his seat in alarm.
“What is it?” Miss Petrelli asked.
“Nate—” He cut of his words. “My apologies, darling. Do you think you and Lady Rebecca could manage without me tonight? I’ll leave the carriage for you.”
“Of course,” Miss Petrelli responded, but Rebecca was already gathering her things.
“I’m coming,” she said firmly.
The duke’s brows drew together. He was going to argue, but she would not allow it.
“I have medical training,” she said softly. “And knowing him, he probably needs it.”
Chapter Nineteen
Nate sat inMonsieur Joguet’s library, a place that he’d just thoroughly searched to good results. He now knew that the man was indeed trying to join in the illegal trade of guns to France. He found notations about it in the man’s dairy, as well as mentions of several meetings with BC, who might or might not be Baron Courbis. But he had no definite proof beyond a desire to join in the smuggling operation.
