“Well, I’d say you have assessed the situation correctly,” Marcus responded.
“So, they’re in Alterra?” Gray questioned.
“It seems likely, yes,” Marcus answered.
“Can you get them back?” Celine inquired.
“It may not be easy, but yes, I believe I can,” Marcus replied.
Celine breathed a sigh of relief. “How soon can you retrieve them?”
Marcus considered it. “That will depend.”
“On what?” Gray barked. “Can you help or not?”
“Gray, please,” Celine hissed through clenched teeth.
Marcus sighed. “On many things. First, we must determine what Alterra they are in. There are many that exist, you realize. Once we have established that, we will need to find our way to them. And only then can we bring them back.”
“So, you have no idea if you can do it or not,” Gray surmised.
“What do you need from us?” Celine asked, ignoring Gray’s comment.
“I will require several things, most of all your cooperation,” Marcus answered, shooting a glance to Gray.
“You have it. Just, please, find them and bring them back before it’s too late,” Celine replied.
Marcus stared at Gray, his eyebrows raised. Celine tapped him on the chest with the back of her hand, shooting him a look. He rolled his eyes. “Fine, fine, whatever you say. But I don’t trust you and I’ll be keeping my eye on your every move,” Gray warned.
“A wise idea. Perhaps you’ll learn something, Buckley,” Marcus shot back.
“Only if I wanted to learn how to be a…”
“Enough! Both of you,” Celine interrupted. “The priority is rescuing Damien and Michael before their bodies succumb to the pressures of being in Alterra. I’m not going to listen to the two of you bicker at each other. Let’s just do what needs to be done.”
“I quite agree, Celine,” Marcus answered. “I shall prepare a list of the elements I will need. Perhaps Buckley will be kind enough to retrieve them for me.”
Gray shut his eyes, gathering his strength for a moment. “I would be more than happy to,” he muttered through clenched teeth, sounding anything but happy.
“Thank you, Gray,” Celine said, squeezing his arm. “I’ll get you some paper and a pen.”
“I’ll come with you,” Marcus suggested.
“Let’s all go,” Gray recommended.
They proceeded to the sitting room downstairs, meeting Alexander who waited there.
“Oh, good, another Buckley,” Marcus said in greeting.
“Welcome back, Celine. I’m glad to see you were… successful,” Alexander said, shooting Celine a glance. Celine returned the expression, hinting to him the situation was no more comfortable for her.
Gray poured himself a drink as Celine retrieved the writing instruments for Marcus. Alexander joined Gray at the drink cart. “Sounds like everything is going well thus far,” he kidded.
“That man is insufferable, and he’s even more so now that Celine’s asked for his help,” Gray answered, staring at Marcus across the room. The man relaxed in one of the leather armchairs as though nothing was amiss in the world.
“I can’t imagine any of this is easy for Celine,” Alexander mentioned.
“No. I’m afraid my inability to control my animosity toward him is making it worse for her. I refuse to leave her alone with him, but the mere sight of him sets me off.”
“I understand, cousin. If you should need a break, let me know. I’d be happy to monitor him for you.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you know,” Gray answered, stalking over to where Celine sat in another armchair near Marcus. He placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it. She glanced up at him, grabbing his hand in hers. “You okay? You want a drink?”
“I’m fine,” she answered, offering a slight smile.
Marcus glanced up from his work, narrowing his eyes at the scene. He sighed, returning to his writing. Tearing the sheet from the notepad, he held it out. “Here you are.” Gray didn’t move. “Well, chop, chop, Buckley, the faster I get everything I need the faster I can begin work.”
Gray closed his eyes a moment, setting his jaw and sighing before he snatched the paper from Marcus’ hand. “You really need ALL of this?” Gray asked, skimming the list.
“No, I wrote it for my own pleasure,” Marcus responded. “Do I look like a man who would waste my own time?”
Celine stood. “Please, Gray, just get everything on the list.”
He glanced at Celine, then the list. “Stay with Alexander while I’m gone,” Gray said, kissing her on the forehead.
Celine nodded. Gray departed, leaving them alone. Celine blew out a long breath. “I think I’ll go sit with Damien,” she said.
“I’ll accompany you,” Alexander offered.
“Thanks,” Celine said. “Help yourself if you want a drink,” she offered to Marcus before they left the room.
“Don’t worry about me,” Marcus called after them. “I’ll be just fine.”
1812, Buckley Country Estate
Celine awoke early the next morning. She had slept little, obsessing over her alternatives, the few available. Her new friends informed her Celeste was not an option. With both her parents deceased and no other family to speak of, she had few other options.
Friends tended to be nonexistent in these times. She had nowhere to turn. Gray’s offer was her only option at the moment. Yet, she couldn’t accept it. She couldn’t leave her husband, bringing his wrath on her and whoever helped her. In addition, the scandal it would bring upon their home could bring them to ruin.
She rose from her bed, peering out of the window. The morning was cold and crisp. She dressed for the day, leaving her bedroom before breakfast. She pulled on a cloak and exited through the front door, hoping a walk might clear her head.
Celine strolled down the walk leading around the house. Before she turned the corner, someone called her name. She glanced behind her, spotting Gray hurrying down the path.
“Celine, good morning,” he greeted her, closing the gap between them.
“Good morning, Gray,” she answered.
“Running away?” he inquired. “I wouldn’t blame you if you were.”
“No,” she responded. “Merely hoping a stroll in the crisp morning air might bring clarity to my mind.”
“Your mind remains troubled by
