Page 26 of Only a Duke (Ladies Who Dare #6)

Somewhere he shouldn’t be able to touch.

And despite his better judgment, despite all his good intentions, his heart raced with each breath she took.

This was a complication he didn’t know how to manage.

He had never been one to let his emotions rule him.

His father had taught him that—even though that man, in Oliver’s view, had made every single decision in his life based on emotion.

Perhaps that’s why Oliver avoided doing the same.

Her question hadn’t been out of place either.

Talbot would blame him.

Perhaps the man would not fully blame him for his wife’s actions, but he would blame Oliver for bringing it to light.

He would believe that Oliver had targeted his family, doing it on purpose, which couldn’t be farther from the truth.

And if he ever learned of Louisa’s involvement, not even to mention little Leo’s, Talbot would aim all his pistols at Oliver.

And fire.

There would be no end to the chaos that would follow. Talbot wasn’t the type of man who could be reasoned with.

God, family feuds were so tiring.

The carriage slowed, and Oliver peered through the window. They’d arrived at Helgate’s. Not the property they had first met at, but another one belonging to his friend. A smaller property than the first, perfect for one or two people to lay low when things get a bit tough in their line of work.

The moment the vehicle rattled to a stop, he placed a hand beneath Louisa’s jaw and gently lifted her from his shoulder and settled her head against the seat, moving to open the door and jumping down.

He didn’t know if Helgate had even made it.

If not, then it meant he hadn’t been able to shake his Fury detail.

Not that they had any real need to since Oliver had planned to honor their deal from the start, but he was not so kind as to allow those ruffians to call the shots and walk all over them with their demands just because he needed something they had.

Shaking off those two, he was sending a message: The Furys didn’t have them in their grasp as they might have thought.

The door of the cottage swung open and a tall figure emerged, striding over. “You returned faster than I imagined you would.”

“We found the ledger sooner than I expected,” Oliver said softly. He nodded at the house. “The boy?”

“Sleeping,” Helgate confirmed, a wry smile curling his lips. “Entertaining fellow.”

Oliver nodded, lips twitching. “The young heir is indeed quite the character, and if he continues on this path, he will make a great duke someday.”

Helgate craned his neck at the carriage. “The lady?”

“Also asleep.”

Helgate nodded. “I’ve prepared a room for her, though, I must warn you, there are only two bedchambers in this house, I’m afraid.”

Oliver dismissed it with a wave. “Not an issue. Did you have any trouble with Fury?”

A flash of irritation crossed Helgate’s face. “That man is a walking stormcloud. He didn’t speak a word when he arrived. And not a word passed his lips right up until the moment he fell asleep after I laced his drink with a little something extra.”

“He actually drank something you offered him?”

“Not something I offered.” Helgate grinned. “Something little Leo gave him.”

Ah, well, that boy did have a way to disarm a person. “Don’t tell Lady Louisa.”

Helgate glanced around, chuckling. “Yes, yes. I see you got rid of your tail as well.”

“It was easier than what you faced.”

Helgate lifted a brow.

“A simple order and that rough and tumble pup scampered off to town,” Oliver clarified matter-of-factly.

“And you found the ledger before he arrived back.”

Oliver shrugged. “I would have knocked him out and locked him in the stables if he had come back sooner.”

“So what’s the plan then now that you have the ledger and we shook off our chaperones?” Helgate asked. “Return to Brighton or to Ashford in the morning?”

Oliver considered their options. The sooner they returned to Ashford, the sooner they could search for the other possible ledger.

However, “Send two men to the Havendish property to watch out for any movement from Lady Louisa’s family.

The moment any of the Talbots leave, I want a man chasing the sun to inform me.

As for us, we wait one day and one night.

If Maxen Fury does not find us here in that time, we head back for Ashford. ”

“What about the betting book?”

“They’ll still have the book in a few days.”

“You do realize you might anger those brothers?”

Oliver gave a light scoff, imagining all the ways they already angered two of the Furys. “If they wish to play in my league, they best show up in their best form. Besides, the duchess might have a ledger as well, and Lady Ophelia might still have copies of the book.”

“I see.” Helgate’s eyes sharpened. “And you think the ledger would be better for evidence?”

He handed the ledger over to Helgate. “Have a look and see for yourself.”

“With pleasure.”

Oliver glanced over his shoulder, back at the carriage. “I’ll go retrieve Lady Louisa.” He was rather surprised she hadn’t woken up, given that she struggled to sleep at times.

She must be exhausted.

Helgate nodded, and Oliver strode back to the carriage and peered inside.

Still sleeping. He didn’t bother to attempt to wake her, simply hooked one arm beneath her legs and the other behind her back and carried her from the carriage.

He stirred against him, her breath warm on his neck, but she didn’t wake up.

Helgate shut the carriage door for him, murmuring to the driver, and then led the way back to the cottage. The door creaked on its hinges as it shut behind them.

“It’s small, but it will do in a pinch,” Helgate said quietly.

“No bother.”

Helgate led him to a chamber he had prepared, and Oliver nodded his thanks. “Go get some rest.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll keep watch.”

His friend raised a brow but didn’t say anything more as he nodded and disappeared into the chamber across from them.

Oliver trod over to the bed and carefully laid Louisa on the mattress. She still didn’t wake, which impressed him and concerned him at the same time. Anyone would be able to carry her away at this point. She had no sense of awareness.

Or perhaps she was just that comfortable.

He couldn’t fathom ever feeling that at ease, especially in the arms of someone who could be an enemy. And family feud or not, a man was an enemy to an innocent lady. He couldn’t help the protectiveness that swelled inside him.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze roaming over her face. What he wouldn’t give to rest as peacefully as she did at the moment. Even if just for a minute. One minute to close his eyes.

Oliver carefully lowered down onto the mattress beside her, one of his feet still on the ground, unwilling to fully surrender to the temptation. He would rest his head just for a few heartbeats.

Just one minute.

Then he would rise, move to the drawing room, and keep watch for any sign of Reaper or one of his brothers, who were sure to be on their way.

They might not know of Helgate’s cottage, but given their resources, they should be able to locate it without much difficulty.

If they didn’t, that meant they were at an impasse, neither side willing to give an inch.

Oliver didn’t mind.

He didn’t need to give an inch.

Not yet.

He’d waited this long to claim to book, he could wait a few more days. His shoulders relaxed into the pillow. He closed his eyes. How many seconds left?

He should rise soon.

Just one more moment.