“It’s a sort of alternate reality. There are myriads of them. Realms where life played out differently. Different choices were made, creating an entirely different world.”
“What makes you think they are there?”
“Marcus visited one of these bands while we were in Germany. He experienced the same effects. Obvious signs of reaction to stimulus, decreased body temperature. Of course, it had no effect on him, he is immortal.”
“Perhaps it’s just an effect from the pulse, Celine. What if you’re wrong?”
Celine considered it. “I’m not. What are the chances they experience the same reactions at the same times by chance? They are together, they are experiencing something together.”
“So, what does this mean?”
“It means we can save them.”
Chapter 20
1812, London
Michael, Damien, Alexander and Gray spent the morning hours discussing information about Celine. Alexander and Gray remained amazed at Michael’s and Damien’s accounts of the different life Celine led. They were determined to correct the errors that occurred.
Alexander planned to ride to the country estate following his call to Celine to prepare the staff. Michael, Damien and Gray planned to travel the following day to reach the country estate. Celine would arrive in two days.
Alexander arrived at the Northcott residence and was ushered into the sitting room. He did not wait long for Celine to enter. She offered him tea or brandy. He refused both. Being around her still unsettled him. The strange events of the past few days caused him to view Celine as an enigma. He had witnessed her ferocity when angered, and he had no desire to be on the receiving end of it.
“Please, sit, Mr. Buckley. Are you quite sure I cannot offer you a refreshment? Perhaps some tea?” Celine inquired, perching on the edge of the couch.
Alexander attempted to read her controlled demeanor. “Whatever you deem is best, Duchess.”
Celine offered the briefest of smiles before ringing a bell. The butler returned. “Tea, please.”
“Yes, Duchess Northcott, right away.” He departed from the room, returning with a tea tray in a few minutes as Celine and Alexander exchanged pleasantries. Celine poured the tea as he left, offering a cup to Alexander. “I must remind you to call me Celine, Mr. Buckley.”
“My apologies, Duch… Celine,” he corrected. “And I must invite you to call me Alexander.”
Celine poured her own cup of tea, stirring in cream and sugar. She sipped at the cup before setting it on its saucer. “I assume you’ve made the arrangements?”
“Oh,” Alexander replied. “Yes. I’ve sent word already and plan to ride there after this call to oversee the final arrangements. The staff are very excited to welcome a duchess.”
“You needn’t make a fuss, Alexander.” She sipped her tea. “Your cousins are quite puzzling. Their information is accurate, yet there is no clear way that they obtained it. What can you tell me about them?”
Alexander weighed the amount of information appropriate to tell her. He glanced up from his teacup, finding her crystal blue eyes fixed on him. Her stare made him uncomfortable, and he wondered for a moment if she may be reading his thoughts. “You may speak freely, Alexander. I do not seek the information to hold over you, only to understand how they might come to possess such knowledge.” Perhaps she could, in fact, read his mind. He decided the best course of action was to tell the truth.
“Then I must confess, Michael and Damien Carlyle are not, in fact, relations of mine. And I must admit to being baffled when they arrived.”
“Baffled?”
“Yes. They arrived on my doorstep one evening several days ago, claiming we were acquainted. I had never met them before.”
“How is it that they sought you out?”
“As odd as it may sound, they recalled my telling them about the London house while on my uncle’s estate in Massachusetts.”
“Yet you had never met them in Massachusetts? Or anywhere?”
“Correct. When I admitted as much, they told me a fantastical story. Then they asked to see you. They sought your help. But I leave it to them to address this with you.”
“What made you believe them?”
“Two things. First, as you noted, they possessed knowledge that they couldn’t have obtained. Second, as you also mentioned, their earnestness. It seemed clear they were not attempting to be disingenuous. They deemed what they said to be the truth.”
“Hmm,” Celine murmured, sipping her tea again. “This should prove to be an interesting visit, Alexander.”
Alexander set down his teacup, intending to leave. Before he stood, he asked another question. “Forgive me for asking, Celine, but will your husband travel with you?”
“I expect so. If not with me, within a day of me.”
Alexander’s stomach turned. He was still unsure of Celine. Her cool confidence made her unreadable. The limited dealings he’d had with her prior to Michael and Damien’s arrival gave him the impression they could not be friends. His opinion was changing as he learned more, but he remained uncertain of her. The addition of Marcus Northcott made his skin crawl. Should Celine’s attitude somersault, they could find themselves in a terrible predicament.
Celine noticed the expression on Alexander’s face, reading it easily. She set down her teacup on its saucer. “There is no need for consternation. I am capable of handling my husband. And discussions of this nature are certainly more private on your estate than here.”
Alexander offered a tight-lipped smile, unsure of how to respond. Celine continued, “I am loyal to those friends who prove loyal to me, Alexander. You and your friends have proven more than loyal. Do not fret, no harm will come to you, your family or friends.”
Alexander swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the lump in his throat. “You are most gracious, Celine. However, your husband is a powerful man. I’m sure you understand my concern.”
“My husband is a powerful man, but even his power has its limits. I am every bit as powerful as he and trained by him. I know his tricks, his methods. While he is capable of grandstanding and things may prove uncomfortable, no
