Page 74 of A Virgin for the Beastly Duke

“This still does not exonerate Magnus.”

“No, it does not. I still believe he is an accomplice.”

“We have returned to our starting point,” Harry said.

“Perhaps we have,” Drew mused, “and perhaps we have not. This murder might give us a clue.”

Harry looked at Miller now. “What do you see?”

Drew leaned close to the body. “We know this was done during the night, and the person is skilled with a blade. The cut is very swift and clean.” He straightened.

“There is a message here,” Harry said. “We were close to finding the truth.”

“Exactly. We have not been taken back. Delayed, perhaps, but we can still progress.”

“They are watching us.”

“Indeed, they are. I will have this handled.” Drew motioned toward Miller. “You should return to your castle.”

Harry hid his pistol in his coat before giving Drew a nod. At Grayfield, beside his wife, was where he should be.

“Bridget,” Harry whispered and she felt her eyes open. He was sitting beside her on the bed, his expression grave.

Her insides knotted and she sat up. “What happened?”

“Miller was killed,” he said quietly.

She felt the blood drain from her face. “Why?” She knew why but everything was a haze at that moment, and she was trying to understand what was happening.

“To prevent us from finding the truth.”

She blinked several times. “It could be anyone,” she surmised.

“Yes.” There was a question in his eye when he looked at her and she immediately shook her head.

“This suggests that we are always being followed. I could be followed to London. I cannot consider it, Harry.”

“Very well.” He held her against him. “We will live as we do now, not show anyone that anything has changed or that we are afraid. In a fortnight, we will host the ball.”

Bridget was in complete agreement with the plan. It was the best they could do now. Allow Drew to continue his investigation while they did everything they wanted to do together; love each other, show the world and their adversary that they were in complete harmony and unity. And most of all, hope for a slip-up that brings them closer to the truth of the horrors that have been stalking them for the last weeks.

“I have some business at the brewery with Gerard this morning.” He tenderly brushed a curl from her brow. “Will you have a picnic with me by the stream this afternoon?”

“Yes, I will!” She wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him down on top of her.

“Bridget,” he warned when she squirmed under him. “I have to meet Gerard soon.”

“How soon?” she whispered.

“You temptress,” he rasped, grasping the sash of her silk robe.

A bark startled them and they turned to find Cato watching them with disapproval. They had disturbed his sleep and he was making certain they were aware of it. He hopped down from the bed and made his way to the sitting room. They could not help but laugh.

“Do you know the bets the servants are making?” Harry asked as he nibbled her neck.

“What are they?”

“How soon a little lord will arrive.”

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