Duke followed her to the next house, remaining at her side as she knocked.
“Vi, we cannot keep pretending that did not happen.”
She stole a sideways glance at him and regretted it. He didn’t look tousled or show any sign of being perturbed. The blasted man only looked as handsome as ever, if not more. She swallowed and listened for the sound of footsteps or some sign of occupation of the house.
“Vi...”
Twisting, she let out a long breath. “Very well. It happened. Is that what you wanted to hear?” She threw up her hands. “It happened and it should not have done, and we must cease letting ourselves get into such situations.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
“Well, it must be done—” She paused upon hearing the thud of a door inside the building.
“Can we at least be honest with each other?”
“Wearehonest with each other, Duke.”
“Yes, about everything apart from...” he gestured between them both, “us.”
“There’s no sense in—”
The door opened and a slender elderly man peered down at her. “Yes?”
“Good afternoon, I was hoping to have a word with—” She looked to Duke.
“Mr. Nelson,” Duke put in. “Or even yourself actually.”
“The Nelsons are in Antigua,” the butler stated. “And they will be staying there for the foreseeable future.”
Violet narrowed her gaze at Duke as his lips quirked. He knew the Nelsons were not here, she was certain of it. “I was hoping you might be able to tell me if you spotted anything on the day of the sixth. Anything unusual, any noises or anything odd?”
The butler frowned. “I spoke with Mr. Cameron’s butler only two days ago. The servants were questioned too but no one has seen anything out of the ordinary.”
“Ah yes.” Duke smiled. “And Mr. Shaw was quite appreciative of your efforts.” He took Violet’s elbow. “We will not take up any more of your time. Good day.”
“You could have told me you had already questioned the neighbors,” she hissed as he guided her down the steps.
“I told you Shaw asked around. But I believe you didn’t listen. You were too busy demanding I take bed rest or sneaking about without me.”
She huffed out a breath. “You could have told me on our way here.”
“I was a little distracted.”
Glancing up and down the street, she eyed the uniform houses, their black railings and doors all matching. Carriages rolled past leisurely and plenty of pedestrians passed by.Someonehad to have seen something of the abduction of Duke’s father surely?
“We should keep asking.” She removed her elbow from his grasp and strode along the road. Duke kept pace easily beside her. “Surely your butler did not ask everyone in residence?”
“You’d be surprised. He’s not the sprightliest of men but he’s efficient. And he reported back to me just yesterday.”
“That no one saw anything.”
Duke grimaced. “Indeed.”
“Well, there must be something else we can do.”
“I’ll enter into negotiations with these men.”
Violet sucked in a breath. “You cannot. They are dangerous. Who is to say they will leave your father unharmed? We should just keep—”