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“What the bloody hell is going on?” Ambrose growled though he’d stopped his death march toward Morgan once he’d confirmed Helena’s absence.

Morgan’s smile was large and instantaneous.

“You know what, mate,” he said, getting out of bed and sliding into his trousers, “I have no idea. What I do know though, is that I am now in love with all of your wives.”

“You better explain what you mean,” Ezra warned, his hands balling up into fists.

“All I know is when I woke up after we got back from dealing with George I had these two lovely hens naked beside me; one holding a tray of food, the other averylarge,verytasty carafe of wine. And when I asked them what they were doing here, they simply informed me that the lady of the house had purchased their time and that they were to dedicate themselves to me for three days,” Morgan replied, in his usual unflustered, carefree manner as he continued to dress, “So, now, forget you three. My allegiance now lies with your wives.”

Ezra and Ambrose turned to one another at once. Did they know of the gaming hell? Of the women?

“How?” Ezra spat out, turning his glare toward Ambrose.

Ambrose stilled, his jaw ticking as he drew his brows down defensively.

“Your wives are too smart for you, boys,” Morgan sang, tossing a grape in his mouth as he gave them a wink. “I would not try to hide anything else from them.”

“You be quiet now,” Ezra commanded, holding out a finger to Morgan.

He gave Ambrose a look that demanded an answer.

“It is not my fault,” he sneered.

Then his eyes slowly moved to the carpet before he added in a much more defeated voice. “Barbara was a man when she found out about the gaming hell.”

“Whatin the bloody hell does that mean, mate?” Morgan bellowed, his eyes as wide as Ezra’s and Duncan’s as they looked at Ambrose as if he was insane.

Morgan, of course, was the only one smiling; looking like a child catching Saint Nicholas placing down his presents.

“We are getting off-topic,” Ambrose snapped, running a hand through his hair. “What matters right now is that our wives are gone, and we have no idea where they are!”

Ezra turned his pointed finger to Ambrose, fury running through his veins, “Youwillexplain this later, Ambrose,” he commanded, then dropped his hand and turned his glare back to Morgan.

“Andyou.You had better tell me where they went,” Ezra demanded. His mind was reeling with all that had unfolded, but he could not let himself get off task now. He had to find Lydia.

“I told you I do not know,” Morgan sighed, “But, perhaps one of your staff might. I never actuallysawyour wives these past three days, you see. I was a bit occupied with the two naked and single women in my bed plying me with food, drink, and sex. You should try it. It might relax you.”

I have,Ezra thought, and it had been incredibly relaxing right up until he found Lydia’s letter. But it had all been a ruse; a plot to distract him and render him as mindless and sated as possible so she could step away.

Oh, there wassogoing to be a punishment for this, he decided right then and there. A collar, first and foremost, so he could leash her since she so obviously needed it. And her ass was going to be as red as the blood he’d taste on her lips; her limbs would be useless from being tied to the bed for so long. He’d gag her. Withmanythings.

“Witches,” Ambrose croaked, working his jaw in frustration as he clenched his fists. “When I…” Ambrose’s words cut off into a growl as he began to storm out of Morgan’s room and back down the stairs.

“That is enough,” Duncan growled, following them closely, “I am burning every single one of those smut books.”

“Someone has to know something,” Ambrose said loudly, then stormed toward the nearest servant as they reached the first floor.

“You there! Where have the duchesses and my sister gone?”

“Answer him, Radley, or there will be hell to pay,” Ezra threatened.

“Your Graces, I beg your pardon, but they would not tell me,” Radley answered quickly, bowing deeply toward them as they approached. “They did, however, take your new man, Terrence, with them. I believe they took your man Colter as well, Lord Curtis.”

“Theywhat,”Ezra said flatly.

Punishment. Utter and pure torture when she got home.

“The Duchess of Frampton insisted that they were all perfectly safe with your guards, and that…” Radley faltered, his gaze falling to the floor.