Page 12 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

“What do you mean there's no record of him?!” Leo hissed at Helpin.

“I told you before, Your Highness,” Helpin said. “I can't find any record of Xander Vesmalden. I even looked into that other name you gave me.”

“Asher?”

“Yes. And there's no record of him either.” Helpin shrugged. “That's not surprising since records aren't kept of commoner births.”

“Xander is not a commoner!”

“So, you've said, Your Highness. Or rather, he has said, and you have believed him.”

“He isn't a liar either. That woman is his stepmother, and she's stolen his inheritance!”

“If she has, she's done an incredible job of it. The records I researched are those kept by the royal record keepers. If Xander were highborn, his birth would have been recorded in the line of succession.”

“What is recorded there?”

Helpin went quiet.

“Helpin!”

“The book on the Vesmalden ancestry seems to be missing, Your Highness.”

“It's missing ?”

“Yes.”

“And you didn't think that was of note? You didn't see it as suspicious under the light of these circumstances?!” Leo tossed his hands into the air. “You've answered your own questions, Helpin! Duchess Vesmalden obviously bribed someone to steal that book for her.”

“This is why I didn't tell you, Your Highness. Evidently, the records room is quite large, and books sometimes go missing. There's nothing suspicious about it. It will probably be located soon.”

“No, it won't. Because that bitch took it and she probably burned it to cinders!” He grimaced. “Fucking ashes.”

“Your Highness, I believe you've let your heart get in the way of your mind. This man cannot possibly be a noble. Things like this just don't happen.”

“They don't? Or perhaps we simply never learn of them? Maybe they've been happening all the time.”

Helpin gulped.

“You will personally search that records room from top to bottom until you can tell me what happened to the record of the Vesmalden line. If you do not find that book, you will investigate every record keeper employed there.”

Helpin sighed as he bowed. “Yes, Your Highness.”

As Helpin left, Leo's heart raced. He saw the missing book as solid proof of Xander's identity.

And if Xander were a noble, they could be seen together publicly.

It would change their relationship. They could have more than secret assignations in a stable.

Leo would be able to visit Xander at his home—make love to him on a bed.

And he'd never have to worry about Xander getting enough to eat or being treated well or how he slept.

He'd know his lover was safe and sound. A god damn duke!

All Leo had to do was find proof that the bitch took the book.