“I’m glad we have this opportunity to speak,” he said to them. “I have what I think is an intriguing offer for you gentlemen.”
Michael turned his head, showing interest.
He smiled. “I have a small club of men, like-minded, successful, interested in furthering their fortunes in the world. Tell me, do either of you gentlemen have any experience with the occult?”
“The occult?” Michael looked to Damien who shook his head. “No.”
“Then I have an interesting opportunity for you. I’m having a small meeting tomorrow night and two spots are open. It is a very exclusive offer since Duke Northcott will be in attendance and he is well-versed in the occult. In fact, one may never come across an opportunity like this again. What do you say, gentlemen? Interested?”
“Very interested,” Michael said. “It sounds like an intriguing offer.”
“Excellent,” Theodore said, smiling at them, “excellent, then I shall expect you to be ready at ten o’clock. I shall meet you in the gardens outside.”
“We will see you then,” Michael said as Celeste entered the room.
“Well, will your sister be warm enough on her walk?” Theodore asked her, ending the conversation.
“Oh, I hope so, I worry about her,” Celeste answered, pacing the room.
“Come and sit down, my dear, I’m sure she will be just fine. Duke Northcott will let nothing happen to her, I’m sure.”
The four made light conversation before Michael and Damien excused themselves announcing that they were retiring for the evening. A few moments after Michael and Damien departed, Celeste and Theodore heard the front door open and slam shut. Footsteps raced across the foyer moments before the door opened again and closed. This time footsteps approached the sitting room. The door opened and Duke Northcott entered.
Both Celeste and Theodore stood as he entered. Celeste looked around him, anxiously hoping to find her sister, but fearing the worst. “If you are looking for your sister, you won’t find her. She has refused me again, Mrs. VanWoodsen.”
“What?” Celeste was incredulous. “How dare she? I shall speak to her again. Please, Duke, give her another chance.”
“She is out of chances. I much preferred her to come to me of her own accord but now she must be made to do what we want,” he answered her.
“Of course.” Celeste dropped her eyes to the floor.
“By any means necessary, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Yes, of course we agree, Marcus. Please, tell us what we can do to help,” Theodore said.
“You must follow every direction I give you and never question me. I may need to employ some rather extreme tactics to achieve our goal. You must give me your absolute and unfettered loyalty.”
“Yes, you know we do, Duke,” Theodore answered.
“Celeste?” Duke Northcott said, turning to her.
“You know you have my unwavering support. I am sorry for Celine’s heedless behavior.”
“Your apology is unnecessary, Celeste, your steadfast support will be enough. What of the Carlyles, Theodore? Has that end of our plan cooperated?”
“Yes, Duke, they are very interested.”
“Excellent. Then we proceed as planned. By tomorrow night, Celine will be ours for eternity.”
Chapter 29
Celine heard a quiet knock at her door then a whispered voice said, “Celine? Celine, it’s Michael and Damien, are you in there?”
She raced to the door, throwing it open and ushering them inside while checking that no one saw them. “Quickly, come in.”
“Are you okay? You weren’t at breakfast, we were worried,” Michael said.
“I am fine, although… ” Celine paused, lowering her eyes to the floor. “I am afraid that I may have ruined your chances to retrieve the book.”
“What do you mean?” Damien asked.
“Assuming that Duke Northcott has the book, he’ll never give it to me now. Never!” she cried, covering her hands with her face. “I’m sorry.”
“What happened last night?” Michael asked. “Did he hurt you again?”
“I tried my best, really I did. I played along, apologized and accepted his proposal as my sister instructed me to do. He said we were to marry today. I panicked, I didn’t know what to do, and I refused. He became angry and I could not pretend anymore. I told him I would never obey him nor marry him. He must be furious, as must my sister be, surely she knows by now. We should prepare to leave the house,” she said, unable to hold it all in.
Damien put his arm around her, pulling her close and rubbing her arm to reassure her.
“No, you did the right thing. You can’t marry him, you had to keep yourself safe. Don’t worry about it; we’ll figure out a way. We may already have one, in fact,” Michael said.
“You have a way?” Celine asked.
“Your brother-in-law asked us to join him in some secret ceremony tonight. If that book is going to make its appearance I’d put money on it being at the secret occult ceremony he’s taking us to tonight,” Michael explained.
Celine considered it. “Yes, you may be right. But it may be very dangerous. Surely you cannot risk it.”
“It’s more dangerous for the people from our time if we don’t risk it,” Damien said.
Celine nodded. “Then I will go, too,” she said.
“No!” they both replied in unison.
“I can help!”
“You can help us by staying here, safe,” Michael said.
“That is ridiculous,” Celine said, crossing her arms.
“Hey, we need you to help us get back to our time, so we need you safe. We’ll meet you back here as soon as we get that book and you can send us back,” Damien said.
Celine frowned but acquiesced. “Agreed, but only because I am a necessary part of the plan.”
“We’re meeting Theodore at ten, so expect us maybe two or three hours after that,” Michael said.
“I’ll be ready. Do you suppose the book will be there and you’ll be able to take it?”
“I’m not sure but it’s our best shot so we will have to make it work,” Michael replied.
“Good luck. You should be going, I expect my sister to visit me soon. If she found you here, it would be the end of
