Read Realm 03 - A Touch of Cashemere for Free Online

girl. “Then my brother arrived seeking Lord Worthing’s assistance in rescuing Velvet. He held the information you sent him, as well as some additional facts from Mr. Shepherd. Before we could organize a liberation, Lord Hellsman arrived.”
    Marcus raised an eyebrow, but neither he nor Lady Worthing vocalized the irony of Carter Lowery’s older brother Lawrence becoming involved. Lady Worthing continued, “Lord Averette had asked Lord Hellsman to intervene. As you are both aware, the viscount assumed His Grace arranged to meet our cousin at Linton Park. As we tried to convince Hellsman of the error of Lord Averette’s assertions, Sir Carter arrived to add to the chaos. The baronet had tracked Bran to Derby. It seems Mir’s men staged a double kidnapping. The one known as Talpur took Sonali to Cornwall; the other took Velvet toward Liverpool. Poor Brantley knew not what to do so my husband took control. Lord Worthing and Sir Carter stage Sonali’s rescue. They will set up at our brother Amsteadt’s estate in Devon. James sent Lexford, who has connections in Cheshire, with Bran to Liverpool.”
    “And my uncle?” Cashé asked sarcastically.
    Marcus noted Lady Worthing’s controlled expression. “It is my understanding that Lord Averette continues his search. Lord Hellsman has accompanied Viscount Averette to London.” Marcus quickly realized how Lowery had recruited his brother to mislead Averette.
    “So, did anyone tell Uncle Samuel that Velvet has likely been kidnapped by the duke’s former enemy?” the girl’s sharp tone remained.
    Marcus took pleasure in Lady Worthing’s devious smile. “As Viscount Averette never presented himself at Linton Park, it was impossible to dissuade him from his misconceptions.”
    Marcus had not know much of Eleanor Fowler prior to Kerrington announcing that he would make the woman his wife. All he had known was the woman’s shame–of the degradation under which she had lived with the former duke–and of the elaborate plan executed by the Realm against her tormentor Sir Louis Levering, but he’d liked his friend Fowler’s sister immediately. She possessed an innate intelligence and a willingness to take on a difficult situation. Kerrington, obviously, based his choice on more than the lady’s elegance and beauty, and Marcus quickly judged Lady Eleanor the perfect match for his former leader. “Shall you continue to seek your uncle, Miss Cashémere? It seems that Lord Averette will find nothing in London or Kent to satisfy his anger.” Marcus had turned his attention to his very spoiled traveling companion.
    Miss Cashé paused, apparently considering what he said. “It seems more prudent to chase after His Grace and Viscount Lexford.” Again, Marcus searched for an emotional response to her mentioning Lexford’s name; yet, nothing appeared. He wondered if he should warn Lexford of his pursuit’s futility. “Besides, Satiné is in Manchester.”
    He asked curiously, “Satiné?”
    “My twin...the Fowlers accepted Velvet when our parents died. I stayed with Uncle Samuel, but Satiné resides with my mother’s brother, Baron Ashton of Chesterfield Manor.”
    Marcus heard her words, but none of them registered beyond the words my twin. He had known on some level that another Aldridge sister existed, but he was not aware that the third was Miss Cashémere’s twin. Just the word twin brought a groan to his throat.
    “I forgot about Satiné being in Manchester,” Lady Worthing was saying. “I am certain Bran will not recall. When was the last time you saw Satiné?”
    The girl stiffened. “Nearly three years ago.”
    Marcus wanted to be doing more than sitting around sipping tea. “How long has His Grace been in Cheshire?”
    “Since yesterday evening.”
    He thought aloud. “I am certain he and Lexford are in Liverpool by now. I doubt if Jamot arrived before today. We pressed to reach Linton Park as quickly as we did. Jamot had rougher terrain than did we.