“It is likely, however, we should still ensure that is the case. It is also good practice for you, my dear.”
“I’ll retrieve a drop of Michael’s blood,” Celine answered, taking a vial from Marcus and departing from the room.
“I don’t know how much more of this I can stand,” Gray whispered to Alexander.
Marcus stared at them. “What’s the matter, Buckley? Concerned after I rescue her precious Damien, she will be so grateful she may run straight into my arms and forget you entirely?”
Gray closed his eyes, channeling his inner fury to avoid throttling the man. “No,” he sighed. “I’m concerned after this she won’t be able to get away from you fast enough.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t be concerned about that,” Marcus answered. “She will, no doubt, feel an enormous amount of gratitude. I can’t imagine you’re all that memorable. Besides, she already fled from you once.”
Gray barred himself from leaping across the room at Marcus as Celine returned with the blood vial. “Perfect, my dear, and now the other ingredients,” Marcus instructed.
“I swear I’m going to find a way to kill that man,” Gray hissed to Alexander.
“Just don’t do it before he’s retrieved Damien and Michael,” Alexander warned.
“Well done, my dear,” Marcus congratulated Celine across the room. Her blood sample from Michael pointed to the same Alterra location as Damien’s. “Now, I must prepare to travel to the location.”
“What must we do to prepare? I will go with you,” Celine said.
“No,” Gray barked from across the room.
“For once, I agree with Buckley,” Marcus replied. “That is unwise. It may be dangerous.”
“I don’t agree with either of you,” Celine argued.
“Too bad, you’re overruled,” Gray answered.
“No, not too bad. You don’t suppose Michael and Damien will just go willingly with Marcus when he arrives there, do you?”
“He convinced Damien to go with him once before, I’m sure he can do it again,” Gray answered.
“This time it means Damien’s life if he can’t, Gray. I’m not taking the chance.”
“I wouldn’t care to take a chance with your life, either, Celine,” Marcus interjected.
“Oh, please,” Celine groused. “After the centuries of fighting between us NOW you’re concerned about my well-being?” She rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Marcus.”
“Celine, I have always been concerned about your well-being. This is not a journey to be taken lightly. But it would expedite the process if you were there to convince them to come back.”
“Thank you,” Celine answered. She turned to Gray. “I can’t leave it up to chance.”
“I’ll go instead,” Gray replied.
“That is a disaster waiting to happen and you know it,” Celine argued. “You’ll be so busy sniping at each other, you’ll lose focus on the task at hand. And besides, Michael and Damien are not much fonder of you than they are of him.” Celine thumbed toward Marcus.
“I could do it,” Alexander offered.
“I am not sure this is an improvement over sending Gray, other than Damien may trust you more. I don’t see the issue here. I am the best person to go.”
“I don’t trust him,” Gray snapped, pointing to Marcus.
“I would never allow anything to happen to Celine,” Marcus replied.
“That doesn’t guarantee you’ll return her to us,” Gray retorted.
“Perhaps we all should go,” Alexander suggested.
Marcus raised an eyebrow. “To be quite frank, gentlemen, I don’t imagine either of you possess the capacity to endure the journey. Celine easily does as do I. Now, shall we prepare, Celine?”
Celine nodded.
“Give us a moment,” Gray said, pulling Celine aside. “I don’t like this, Celine,” he said in a lowered voice.
“I realize that Gray, but there is not much to be done. I will be careful, I promise.”
“I don’t trust him.”
“Neither do I, but we need him. I’m not going into this inexperienced. I will keep my wits about me.”
Gray sighed. “Please, please, be careful, Celine.”
“I will be. With any luck this will all be over soon,” Celine answered, kissing Gray. “Okay. I’m ready,” she said to Marcus.
“Good, then we shall begin.”
Chapter 24
1812, Buckley Country Estate
Celine waited outside in the cold afternoon air as the carriage trundled up the gravel drive. Gray and Alexander waited with her. The carriage slowed to a stop outside the front door. The coachman leapt to the ground, opening the door. Marcus emerged from the carriage, a dour expression on his face.
“Duke Northcott,” Alexander began, bowing, “welcome to our humble estate.”
“Indeed, it is humbler than I first imagined.”
There was an awkward pause before Celine spoke. “It is quite charming, actually.”
Marcus offered her a brief smile. “You do tend to find the optimistic view in most things.”
“Please, come in,” Alexander motioned toward the door.
“Thank you. I should like to be shown to my room. I have many items to attend to.”
“Of course, Duke,” Alexander responded. “Right this way.”
“Celine, if you wouldn’t mind accompanying me. There is a matter I would like to discuss with you.”
“Certainly,” Celine agreed, following them to the bedroom suite assigned to Marcus and Celine.
Alexander left them, closing the door to the bedroom. “I hope your journey was pleasant,” Celine commented as the door closed.
“Most tedious, my dear.”
“I am sorry you did not find it more relaxing,” Celine responded.
Marcus removed his jacket, loosening his collar. “I do not find this visit, in general, relaxing, dear. Which is why we shall return home tomorrow.”
Celine swallowed hard, unhappy with the news. “They expect us to stay on until Sunday.”
“Impossible. I have already accepted an invitation for dinner the evening after next with the Westbrooks. We return home tomorrow.”
“You must send my sincerest regrets to the Westbrooks.”
“I shall do no such thing, Celine. You will return home with me tomorrow.”
Celine sidestepped the order. “You are tired. Let us discuss it later.”
“Celine, I will not argue about this. I have already given in to your whim for this ridiculous visit. I shall dine with your interesting new friends. But that is where this shall end. You will return home with me tomorrow and that is final.”
Celine bit her tongue, not
