Chapter 90. Precious Time

"Did my boy stay at the castle last night? It's not like him to not say anything. He always tells me when he stays out. But by chance, did he?"

Mrs. Chapman rattled out in one breath, simultaneously killing Taisiya's hope of good news.

That question alone answered Taisiya's burning question, as all she wanted to know was if The Duke had come home last night and if he was still home choosing to come in for the meeting at midday.

Her reaction was visceral, her chest tightening with the weight of the situation. Taisiya clutched her chest; she did not like this; something was awfully wrong here.

She struggled to maintain her composure, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She felt as if she could not breathe. She grasped at her chest again as her face contorted in grief, struggling to breathe while her body of wrecked emotions did a number on her.

Taisiya pressed down on her chest, trying to calm and ease her aching heart; something was terribly w