Page 12 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
“Your Grace,” the butler called out, beckoning him over. “You must come inside, quickly.”
Edwina followed the Duke, and she gasped when she saw a group of footmen leaning against the wall, their faces pale, some of them bleeding from their heads.
Inside, the entrance hall was ruined. Potted plants had been smashed, and soil and ceramic were scattered across the stone floor. A mirror had been smashed, and several pieces of furniture had been cut open, the stuffing ripped out. A table hung at an angle, one leg snapped off.
Groove marks were carved into the walls, as though a blade had gouged them.
“What happened?” the Duke demanded, staring around at the damage.
“We do not know,” the butler confessed. “Some of the footmen only reported seeing men barge through the gate, and I did not even have a chance to block them. They stormed into the house, threatening any of us who got in their way. They went into the study.”
“The study?” The Duke’s voice was quiet, and Edwina looked at him.
She’d been watching a group of shaken-up maids, and she wished to go to them, to check if they were all right.
Guilt gnawed at her. Thishadto have something to do with Lord Stockton, for he had not shown up after sending her to the Duke, of all people,andthe Duke’s townhouse was targeted at the same time.
She couldn’t dwell on her questions, for the Duke tore off down the hall, and she hiked up her skirts and ran after him.
She could have caused someone’s death tonight, all because she had not let the Duke leave earlier.
All because she had distracted him without realizingwhy.
Lucien burst into his study, scarcely aware of Lady Edwina on his heels.
It was a disaster, with papers and debris strewn everywhere.
“Your Grace, I am sorry,” Lady Edwina whispered, but he barely paid her any mind, not as he ran to a particular spot and tore back the carpet runner.
The wedge of paper he kept in there to know if anybody had ever opened the trapdoor beneath was still intact. He didn’t dareopen it in front of Lady Edwina, but he was relieved that his most important affairs had not been stolen or tampered with.
After fixing the carpet, aware of the lady’s questioning eyes on him, he strode to his desk and yanked open every drawer, quickly checking their contents before slamming them shut.
Frustration bubbled up inside him. Some money had been taken out of the drawers, even the hidden compartment in the bottom drawer, but it was barely a speck against his fortune.
He sat down behind his desk, hating that someone had rifled through his belongings. He clenched his jaw and turned his scowl on Lady Edwina.
“Why did you bring me here?” she asked.
“Because my house is a priority,” he answered. “I had a feeling you were a distraction, but it seems you were misled as well.”
Lady Edwina swallowed, her gulp audible, and bit her lip.
“I am sorry, Your Grace. For your staff and the commotion, I apologize. But I had no choice, you see. You must understand, and I truly did not know this would happen.”
He could detect the sincerity in her voice because he was already learning how her faux confidence and lies sounded.
He nodded, aloof. Standing up, he briefly took note of her curious gaze as he walked towards her.
“I am done here. I am taking you back to your home.”
Without another word, he strode out of his study, knowing she would have no choice but to follow him.
Montgomery Manor was not how Lucien recalled it.
They were led inside by a harried-looking butler, who began to speak, only to take one look at Lucien’s shocked state and clam up.
Lucien could not help but be quietly stunned by the state of the place.
