Page 69 of A Virgin for the Beastly Duke

Drew nodded and turned to Miller. “Do you have a family?” When Miller looked away, Drew met Harry’s gaze and nodded. His family was the leverage held against him, and if not that, then someone very dear to him.

“Your castle will burn, Alderham,” Miller suddenly said, “and your wife will be lost.”

Harry’s heart fell to the pits of his guts when he heard that, and his hands clenched into hardened fists. Rage darkened his vision and he grasped the lapels of Miller’s coat.

“Who sent you?” he growled.

“You will never know who, and you will never see them. Every sin must be paid for.”

Harry was going to retaliate when he felt a hand on his shoulder. “No good will come of planting him a facer. He is taunting you.”

He knew he was being taunted but the bloody man had threatened him with his wife! She was his weakness and it was known. Slowly, he released the man, while Drew removed his cravat and stuffed it into Miller’s mouth before tying it around his head. “Speak now if you dare.”

Harry was tempted to allow Drew to coerce Miller into answering their questions, but such was not his way, and Bridget would not appreciate it, too.

“We should let him stew for a bit,” Drew said. Harry agreed, turning and leaving the cellar.

Sarah’s eyes widened when Bridget removed her dress. “What happened to your petticoat and stays?”

Bridget blushed. The once white garments were now covered with patches of brown. Her unsoiled dress had concealed them well until now.

“Forgive me, Sarah,” Bridget sighed. “We explored the castle’s secret passages. I learned they are actually dungeons.”

Sarah’s features smoothened and she giggled. “Oh, I understand.”

“I do feel guilty.”

“Come, now, Bridget!” she rebuked. “It is nothing some vinegar and soda cannot clean.” She took both of her hands. “I have never seen you so happy, and to keep you this way, I will not mind cleaning a dozen stays and petticoats every day.”

Bridget laughed. “I will never do that to you. And because of this, I will have some underthings made in very dark colors.”

“I think you should have a bath.” Sarah gestured at her tousled hair. “You have some dirt on your cheek, and your hair might need a wash.”

“I suppose you are right.”

When Sarah left, Bridget went to the bedchamber to sit by her window while the water was drawn, thinking of Harry.

He had looked grave when Lander announced Drew, and she hoped there was some news about their case,goodnews. She had found the most precious treasure ever to be found, and the thought of losing it frightened her.

Her arms came around her middle as she looked out the window at the garden. A small smile touched her lips as she recalled that they had not seen the rest of it as they had planned. There was so much they were yet to do together…

Her breath caught and her eyes filled with tears. Bridget could not fathom why her fears were coming out to haunt her now, and she did not want to allow them any control. Yet, her heart thudded painfully, and a sob jerked her body.

Closing her eyes, she covered her face with her hands, determined to regain her composure. Harry needed her to be brave, and he had informed her of the dangers they faced because he trusted her not to break. She lost the fight, and the tears overtook her. Her shoulders shook with her sobs while her hands began to tremble.

Harry was her life now, and no one meant a fraction of what he meant to her. The pain of having him taken away from her was one she was certain she would not be able to bear. She had begun to dream of having his children, see them grow with him, and walk along the fields of Grayfield in their old age.

She uncovered her face and wiped her tears with the back of her hand, her chin quivering. Something nudged her leg and she looked down to see Cato. He tilted his head as though asking her if she was well. Bridget shook her head and opened her arms. He climbed onto her lap and rested his head on her shoulder.

Cato understood fear and grief because he had walked that path with Harry. And as she held him, she began to feel calmer. “Thank you, Cato,” she whispered, and he responded by swishing his tail and snuggling closer.

“Bridget?” Sarah called softly. Her face tightened when Bridget looked up at her. “What is the matter?” Bridget began to shake her head but Sarah quickly held up a hand. “I know there is something wrong because this is not how I left you.”

“I am afraid,” she admitted.

Sarah sat beside her, taking one of her hands. “What are you afraid of?”

“I have never loved as I love now,” the tears threatened to return, “and I fear it might be taken away from me.”

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