Page 113 of The Duke's Jilted Bride

“A miscalculation on my part. You barely drank any, and that fool physician administered antidotes. Gerald always said I was too kind for my own good.”

Selina fought to keep her voice steady. “You’re right to be angry. Rowan hurt me too, you know. He abandoned me at the altar, then forced me into marriage only to push me away when I needed him most.”

Annette laughed, a sound devoid of humor. “Oh, my dear girl. Do you think I’m some mindless creature driven by emotion? I’ve spent three years planning this revenge. I know exactly who you are and what you mean to him.”

“I mean nothing to him. He made that clear enough when he sent me away.”

“You mean everything to him. I’ve watched the way he looks at you, the way his entire world has narrowed to your presence.” Annette stood again, beginning to pace the small room. “When I first arranged his abduction, I thought taking away his title, his freedom, his very identity would destroy him. But he endured it all.”

“Because he’s stronger than you gave him credit for.”

“Because he had nothing truly precious to lose. No real attachments, no vulnerabilities I could exploit.” Annette stopped pacing, fixing Selina with an intense stare. “But now he does. Now he has you.”

The truth hit Selina like ice water. “You’re going to kill me.”

“Not immediately. First, I want him to suffer as Gerald suffered. I want him to know what it’s like to lose the most important thing in his world through his own failures.”

“He’ll find us.”

“I’m counting on it. When he arrives, desperate and broken, begging for your life, then I’ll have my perfect revenge. The son who destroyed Gerald’s happiness will know the same agony his father felt.”

Selina pulled against her bonds, ignoring the pain as rope bit into her wrists. “You’re mad.”

“I’m grieving,” Annette corrected. “Gerald has been dead for three years, and every day I mourn the life we should have had together. The children we might have raised, the love that was stolen from us by his guilt over that boy’s birth.”

“Rowan was an innocent child.”

“Rowan was the reason Catherine died, which drove Gerald to drink and gamble, which led to his death. Every tragedy in this family traces back to that cursed birth.” Annette’s composure cracked slightly, revealing the depth of her hatred. “But tonight, the debt will finally be paid.”

Outside, the light was fading toward dusk. Selina wondered if anyone had noticed her absence yet, if Georgiana was worried, if Mary had been found. The thought of the maid made her stomach clench with fear.

“What did you do to Mary?”

“The servant? She’s alive, merely unconscious. I’m not a monster, despite what you might think.”

“You abducted me. Poisoned me. Tried to destroy my husband’s life. What would you call that?”

Annette smiled, the expression chilling in its serenity. “I’d call it love. Everything I’ve done has been for Gerald’s memory, to honor what we shared and avenge what was taken from us.”

“It’s not love. It’s obsession.”

“Call it what you like. By morning, it will be finished, and Gerald’s spirit can finally rest.” Annette moved toward the door. “I need to prepare for your husband’s arrival. Do try to get some rest, my dear. You’ll need your strength for what’s to come.”

The door shut with a dull thud, and Selina was alone. The room was already getting dark. She tugged at the ropes again, but they didn’t budge. Outside the grimy windows, trees crowded close around the cottage, cutting it off from the rest of the world.

Somewhere in London, Rowan might already be searching for her. The thought brought both hope and terror, knowing that he would walk straight into Annette’s trap to save her.

But perhaps that was exactly what they needed. If Annette’s plan required him to arrive desperate and broken, maybe Selina could turn that desperation into an advantage.

She just had to survive long enough to try.

CHAPTER 38

“Where is she?” Rowan demanded as Georgiana’s butler opened the door.

“Your Grace, I’m afraid Lady Emberford is not receiving?—”

“I don’t care if she’s receiving. I need to see her now.” Rowan pushed past the startled servant into the entrance hall. “Georgiana!”

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