Page 16 of Summoner of Sins

“How did you find me here and where is the guard?”

“Lady Tabetha told me everything.”

Her face collapsed, her hand coming to her mouth. “I’m so frightened.”

He did something that he’d surely question later. Reaching for her, he pulled her into a hug, pressing her against his length. She folded into him, her body molding to his as her face settled into the juncture of his neck and shoulder.

“What am I going to do?” Her voice broke on the words, and inside he broke a bit too.

Tabetha’s words came back to him. What kind of man was he if he didn’t protect her? His eyes closed too as he rested his cheek on the top of her head. He hadn’t been this close to another person in a long time.

Her heat and softness wrapped about him. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask her to marry him. Take her away from all of it. He hesitated. He didn’t open himself like that. What if she became like every other person in his life? Max's father could hardly stand the sight of him, the impairment making him a disgrace to the dukedom.

Besides, he’d put a target on his back. Now was no time to commit himself to anyone.

What if he married Sophie and…

She sniffed and that’s when he felt the wetness on his collar. She was crying.

His hands spread out on her back. “T-there must be som-someone who can take you in.”

She shook her head. “Uncle Allister was the only person my mother told me about.”

She looked at him, then, those large eyes even more beautiful shimmering with tears. “There has to be more.”

“Do you think? But how would I find them?”

“Th-there’s a book.” He pushed the words out with only the smallest stutter.

“Do you have it? This book? Could you look? Or we could ask Tabbie? My mother was the daughter of an earl. My Uncle Allister his fourth son. Surely, other people in society will know of her other relatives.”

Of course, they did. An earl’s lineage was well documented. “G-good idea. Tabbie can help.”

She nipped her lip. “I don’t know how much time I have or how I’ll escape, but first things first, I need a place to go.”

The urge to claim her as his own rose again, but his fears stopped him. “C-can you meet me in the park tomorrow?”

She shook her head. “I’m confined to the garden.”

He could work with that. “Time?”

“Afternoon repose. Four or five in the afternoon.”

Good enough. “I’ll see you then.”

“But how?”

“That is for me to worry about.” Reluctantly, he let her go. “Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow,” she whispered, her arms wrapping around herself. She looked so small and fragile. He stiffened his spine, forcing himself to turn around.

An inner battle raged, and he was afraid either way, he was losing.

CHAPTER SIX

Max rang the Marquess of Shefford’s bell, knowing he was inviting trouble.

He only wanted Lady Tabetha’s help in researching Sophie’s family. However, as the son of a duke, even the second son, calling on the daughter of a marquess was complicated.

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