Page 76 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

“You also told us we are really a part of your family.” Freddie looked at him pleadingly and asked, “Could we have your same name, Uncle Win? Charlie and I talked about it and we agreed. Can we change it?”

Love swelled within him. “I would like nothing better than for you to share the Cutler name with me,” he told the pair. “It does not mean you will forget your mother. She loved you with everything she had but I am honored you wish to take on the family surname.”

Freddie hugged him and then eased back onto the pillows.

Win stood. “Goodnight,” he said, his throat thick with emotion.

He exited the bedchamber and made his way back to the drawing room, thinking he would find Sera there with Percy and Minta. No one was present, however, and he decided his cousin and wife had already left. Eagerness filled him at what would come next. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the pearl ring he had found among his mother’s jewels. He intended to give Sera this ring tonight when he asked for her hand in marriage. It would be the first symbol—of many—of his love for her.

Win entered the winter parlor and also found it empty. He sat at the table, waiting for Sera to appear, his heartbeat quickening in anticipation.

When the door opened several minutes later, he rose. Instead of Sera, Farmwell came through the door, followed by a maid rolling a cart.

The butler himself placed the two covered dishes onto the table as Win took his seat.

“Shall I open and pour the wine, Your Grace?”

“You may do so and then please summon Miss Nicholls to dinner if you would. She was not in the drawing room and may have gone to her room to freshen up and lost track of time.”

“Of course, Your Grace,” Farmwell said as he handled the wine before exiting the room with the maid.

Win sat, a bundle of nerves now. He couldn’t remember the last time he was nervous. Possibly going into his last battle but that seemed a lifetime ago.

After a quarter-hour, his anxiety building, Farmwell entered the room again.

“Your Grace, I have not been able to locate Miss Nicholls. I went to her previous room, as well as the bedchamber Mrs. Farmwell had prepared for her.” The butler paused, swallowing hard, and Win knew something was wrong.

“Continue,” he said brusquely.

“Miss Nicholls’ things... are gone, Your Grace.”

“What do you mean? Gone?”

“One of the maids told us Miss Nicholls had a small valise. It was in neither room.”

Panic began to fill Win. “What about her trunk? Her sister was supposed to bring it today.”

“I know nothing about a trunk, Your Grace. Nothing was brought into the house this afternoon when Lord and Lady Kingston visited.”

Win sprang to his feet, a thousand thoughts swirling through him. But the one thought that stood above all others was that Sera was gone.

Gone...

Without a word, he hurried from the room, going to the foyer where a footman was on duty.

“Did you see Lord and Lady Kingston leave?” he demanded harshly, causing the footman to wince.

“Yes, Your Grace. Miss Nicholls went outside to tell them goodbye.”

“When was this?”

“A little after five o’clock, Your Grace.”

“And did Miss Nicholls return after the marquess and marchioness left?” he asked, his heart pounding, the blood whooshing in his ears.

The footman frowned. “I don’t remember her coming back inside. She might have gone to the gardens.”

The footman’s words confirmed his worst thoughts. Sera had left with her sister without a word to him.

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