Page 110 of Claimed By the Beastly Duke

Edwin raised a hand to silence him. “I do not wish to know. I shall let the constables handle it all. Besides, I already know who sent you. There is nothing you could tell me that I do not alreadysuspect,” he said with finality, before turning to his wife. “Please fetch the butler and tell him to send over the guards while I wait with this scoundrel.”

Dazed, Ava rushed out of her bedchamber in search of the butler. It all still felt like a dream, even as she rushed down the stairs.

She knew that thieves and scoundrels often attacked people, but this usually happened in seedy alleyways or on country roads. It was unheard of for a thief to sneak into an estate and try to attack its inhabitants.

One moment she was deep asleep, and the next she was rudely awakened by a noise in her bedchamber. The first thing her eyes landed on was her husband scuffling with a strange, hooded man. And then Edwin had dragged the man out to the balcony.

She had been torn between running out to seek help and waiting to ensure that her husband was safe and unharmed. And her decision had paid off because when the intruder had tried to stab Edwin, she was right there to save him.

She was grateful that her husband had?—

Something hard collided with her. Her heart stopped for a moment, and she shrieked.

“Your Grace, it is only me,” a familiar voice said.

Ava gasped. It was only the butler.

Relief washed over her.

The butler peered closely at her. “Are you all right, Your Grace?” he asked.

Ava nodded as she took deep breaths to steady herself.

“I heard some noise and came out to see,” the butler continued.

“Yes, a thief broke into the estate and tried to attack us. Get the guards and send them to my bedchamber.”

The butler nodded grimly before scurrying away.

Ava hurried back to her bedchamber. What if the intruder attacked Edwin again?

She ran the rest of the way to her bedchamber.

She was nearly out of breath when she burst through the door. She hurried to the balcony and found Edwin pacing back and forth while the intruder continued to beg.

Relieved, she closed the distance between them, threw her arms around her husband, and hugged him.

“Ava…” he crooned as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“Thank you for saving me,” Ava murmured, pulling away just enough to peer into his face.

He cupped her face in his hand. “I do not know what I would have done if anything happened to you,” he croaked.

Ava’s heart ached as she watched him. His eyes looked sad at the mere thought that she could have been hurt.

He didn’t have to say it. Ava knew that he cared about her—that helovedher.

She could not take her eyes off him. His green orbs pulled her in, almost magnetic. Her eyes flitted to his inviting lips and then back to his face.

She had never been more attracted to him than she felt at that moment, knowing that he would have done anything to keep her safe.

Ava closed her eyes and leaned in. But then the door to her room was slammed open and heavy footsteps rent the air. She opened her eyes to see about five guards rushing towards the balcony.

She stepped away from her husband with a disappointed sigh. The moment had been ruined.

“Take him away,” Edwin barked, “then call for the constables. They will know what to do.”

The guards sprang into action immediately, and within a moment, the intruder was being hauled off the balcony. At the same time, he continued to scream about telling Edwin about the man who had sent him.

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