Page 103 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
Edwina felt half out of her mind, there and yet not there, standing in a sea of people who all peered at her as they passed.
Until one man’s face stood out, and her heart lurched.
“Your Grace,” Lord Stockton greeted, his tone clipped. “How delightful to meet you again. I hear that your husband has left you alone.”
He laughed cruelly, and Edwina’s chest tightened.
Do not cry, do not cry, do not cry.
The mantra did little to steel her resolve, but she lifted her chin, regardless.
“All alone you are,” he drawled. “Left without a brother or a husband to protect you. Whatever will you do? Such a scandal! Such gossip.”
Edwina tried to move past him, turning her fear into action. But Lord Stockton grabbed hold of her, pulling her to his side. She struggled as he dragged her into an alley.
The Earl’s mouth was at her ear, his breath hot and sour. She flinched.
“Do you think you and the Duke can toy with me? You have both made a big mistake, and I intend to make you pay for it.”
Edwina’s eyes dropped to where his fingers dug into her skin. “Let go of me, Lord Stockton, or I shall scream.”
The Earl’s old eyes widened with glee. “Be clever now, Your Grace. You do not wish to draw attention to yourself now, do you? After all, if you scream, I shall happily tell any listening ear about Nicholas’s little trip with your aunt. What a very… lively woman. There are plenty of gossipmongers in London, Edwina, so do play your hand carefully. I have done my digging and found the place your husband set Nicholas up in. I already know Nicholas’s… ailments are complicated and difficult, and the process is incredibly arduous, is it not? So many complications can happen.”
Realization dawned on Edwina a beat too late. “You would not dare.”
“No, I would not.” He laughed darkly. “But you have seen my men, and after they left Montgomery Manor the night we made our deal, they have been itching for a fight. I will happily provide them with one.”
He gave her a sneering, leering look that made her feel exposed.
He stepped back, releasing her with a smirk. “Have a lovely day at the market, Your Grace. I do hope that townhouse is not too empty without your husband in it.”
As soon as he was gone, Edwina whirled out of the alley, searching the crowded street for her maid, finding her pale-faced and harried.
“Your Grace!” she called out, and Edwina rushed over to her. “Wherever did you?—”
“We must hurry,” Edwina panted. “We-We must depart immediately. Let us depart for the townhouse.”
Worry made her chest tighten, and she was already moving back to the carriage, anything from the market forgotten.
The carriage ride was spent with her maid trying to figure out what had happened, but Edwina could only stew in her worry and panic.
What had Lord Stockton done to her brother?
“I need to make haste to Red Acre Lodge,” Edwina said as she bolted out of the carriage. “I do not have a moment to lose.”
“Let’s take the carriage, Your Grace. It is far more appropriate.”
“There is no time.” Edwina was shaking her head, already rushing to the stables.
Within minutes, she had a horse saddled and was galloping at a breakneck speed, her only thought being Nicholas.
“A message has arrived for you, Your Grace.”
The morning of the eighth day after Edwina’s departure, Lucien glared up from the breakfast table, holding out a hand. It would be another letter from another lord, asking when their meeting would be rescheduled.
Until he saw a feminine, curling hand, and his heart lurched as he realized that it was not Edwina’s. Nonetheless, he opened the note, reading it fast.
Your Grace,
