Page 19 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

“Got ’em, Your Grace,” the runner said, a grim expression on his face.

He moved forward quickly and took Freddie by the elbow, surmising who he was since he had the same jade eyes and dark hair as the deceased Sandra Sawyer.

Kneeling, still grasping the boy’s elbow, he said, “Hello, Freddie. I am the Duke of Woodmont. Dukes are very powerful men. You are to obey me. Is that understood?” His tone was firm and just short of menacing.

“Yes,” Freddie squeaked.

“Yes, Your Grace,” he said, waiting, staring at the boy.

“Yes, Your Grace,” Freddie finally said.

Win turned to Charlie and clasped his elbow. “Charlie, will you obey me?”

Charlie’s eyes flew to Freddie, who nodded. It was interesting to see that Freddie was the leader between the two.

“Yes. Your Grace,” Charlie said, looking back at Win.

“You are a fast learner, Charlie. That is good. I am going to let go of Freddie and you. The two of you are going to walk with Mr. Blumer and me back to Mrs. Bridges’ boardinghouse. Can you be trusted to do so?”

Both boys nodded solemnly.

Win and Blumer released their holds—and the boys took off, no hesitation on their part.

“Bloody hell,” he muttered, thinking this was going to be much harder than he had anticipated.

They raced outside, seeing the boys round the corner.

“We needn’t give chase, Your Grace,” Blumer said. “They’ll go back to their mother. When they do, we can collect them then.”

The men returned to the boardinghouse. By now, Win’s carriage had returned. He instructed the driver to park a couple of blocks away, not wanting Freddie or Charlie to know of his presence within the building.

They entered the boardinghouse and got Mrs. Bridges’ permission to wait for the orphans in Miss Sawyer’s room.

“Do you have any idea how long it will take them to return?” he asked.

“No, Your Grace. They’re good boys but they’ve run a bit wild ever since Miss Sawyer fell so ill. Now with their mother, they’re as sweet as the day is long.”

“Do not let them know we are here,” he warned.

Blumer accompanied him upstairs. They searched the room, finding no extra clothes for any of the three occupants of the room. That would be something the boys would need.

He sat on the bed, which Mrs. Bridges had already stripped, while Blumer stood in the corner, leaning against the wall, looking out the window in order to see the boys when they approached.

Win wondered how awful their lives must have been, seeing their only parent waste away. How desperate they would have to be to steal an apple because their bellies ached. It confirmed his decision to locate the pair in the first place and do right by them.

Close to two hours later, Blumer cleared his throat. “They just entered the building.”

No other words were exchanged since neither man wanted to give away the room was occupied. Win did move close to the door so he could grab one or both children as they entered.

The door opened slowly and Freddie poked his head in.

“Mum?” he said softly, frowning at the empty bed.

Win latched on to Freddie’s arm and jerked him inside.

“Run!” Freddie shouted to Charlie, who hesitated in the corridor.

Win moved to where the boy could see him. “I have your brother. If you run, you will never see him again.”

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