Page 113 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

“My lady,” he said with a small bow. “I’m glad to see you intact.”

Jane inclined her head in return, composed despite the situation. “Lord Redforth.”

Then, before Hector could speak, Jane stepped forward slightly. “Before anything is reported,” she said quickly, “I need your word.”

Ambrose blinked, surprised, then tilted his head. “My word?”

Jane’s gaze flicked briefly to Colin, then back to him. “My brother has only just been found. If word reaches the authorities immediately, before we understand everything… before we know where Evan is…” Her voice tightened slightly. “It will become chaos. He will be taken, questioned, and pulled apart. We may lose the trail entirely.”

Ambrose studied her for a moment. Hector watched her as well. There was something steady in her voice. There was fear there, yes, but also control—a refusal to let panic dictate the outcome.

Ambrose sighed. “Very well,” he said. “No official report yet. Not until we decide how this unfolds.”

Jane exhaled slightly, tension easing from her shoulders. “Thank you,” she said.

Ambrose waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t thank me yet. I haven’t done anything difficult.” He gestured toward the Strachan men being restrained. “This, however, is where I come in.”

One of his men dragged a struggling captive forward. Ambrose’s expression sharpened, less playful now, more focused.

“These men are connected to Strachan,” he said. “And Strachan is already on the list of people I would very much like to see removed from society.”

Hector’s jaw tightened slightly at that phrasing. Ambrose continued, businesslike now. “We’ll take them into custody ourselves. Quietly. Properly. They’ll be handed over to the authorities under circumstances that don’t raise unnecessary questions about your involvement.”

Jane nodded once. She was grateful but still tense.

“And they will talk,” Ambrose added. “Men like this always do when given the right incentives.”

Hector knew that tone. Ambrose did not threaten lightly. But when he did, results followed. One of the Strachan men shouted something unintelligible as he was hauled away. Ambrose didn’t even look at him. Then he turned back to Hector.

“So,” he said. “I assume this is the part where you tell me you’re done with reckless heroics, and returning home to recover from whatever madness has consumed your life this week.”

Hector’s gaze shifted briefly to Jane. Then to Colin. “No,” he said simply.

Ambrose’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his mouth curved with mirth.

Hector continued. “I am going with Lady Jane. Her brother thinks he may know where Evan is.”

Jane turned toward him fully now.

Ambrose let out a low whistle. “Ah.”

Hector ignored him. “We are going to find Evan.”

Colin stiffened at the name, but nodded faintly, as if that truth had already been decided the moment he spoke it aloud.

Ambrose studied Hector for a long moment. Then he smiled. “I thought you might say that,” he murmured.

Hector frowned slightly. “You did not.”

“Oh, I did,” Ambrose replied easily. “I do try to preserve the illusion that you are occasionally predictable.”

Jane’s lips twitched faintly at that despite herself. Ambrose stepped forward then, closer to Hector. His tone shifted, still light, but edged with sincerity now.

“Be careful,” he said. “Strachan doesn’t leave loose ends. And neither do men like him.”

Hector met his gaze. “I am aware.”

Ambrose nodded once, satisfied with that answer, whether he liked it or not. Then he turned slightly, addressing both Jane and Hector now.