Page 54 of Lady Tempts a Rogue

Plague.

Sweet Jesus.

God help them.

God help the Moroccan people.

They’d just endured the plague, and to have it upon the population again…

Devin kept his countenance neutral, despite the alarm tunneling through his veins.

This changed everything.

Was that why so many people had their faces covered?

Was it more than a local custom?

Were some of these people here because they sought a way out of Morocco?

There was no question of him visiting the leatherworks now.

He veered Captain Breckett a sideways glance, taking in the captain’s black expression and Mr. Alderton’s taut features.

Yes, they’d just learned the drastic news too.

Devin dropped his gaze to the second letter and scowled.

From Shillingford.

How had it made it to Morocco before Devin had?

Ah, the storm had delayed the Daunting Duchess, but that meant Shillingford had posted the letter right after Devin left London.

Had mother refused to go to Essex?

It was just like her to stir up a fuss.

Had God ever made a more obstinate woman?

Well, at least he’d thwarted her plans to select a bride for him. She would be livid, particularly that he had married a commoner.

Mother would never have considered Trinity good enough, but she was exactly what Devin needed and wanted. She made him happy, and that was priceless.

He did not need to remain away from England for years anymore, although he still intended to look in on his various enterprises around the world. Only now, it would also be his honeymoon.

Or it would’ve been had he not just learned that plague infested the area. There would be no visiting the leatherworks or exploring the country.

“Is all well, Devin? You look upset.”

Trinity laid her hand on his arm, her pale blue eyes searching his before she shifted her attention to the letter he gripped in his fisted hand. Even though he had tried to hide his troubled musings, she’d sensed them.

They’d been like that from the beginning—attuned to each other in a way that mere words could not define.

He forced a reassuring smile.

“An unexpected letter from my man of affairs. My mother is probably giving him fits. I love her, but she is quite insufferable.”

“I am sorry.” She nestled into his side, fitting there as if molded to do so.