Page 2 of Trapped with the Forbidden Duke
“We are going nowhere, Nick,” she told him quietly, her eyes pleading.
She cradled his face, trying to steady him, hoping that her voice alone was enough to snap him out of his delusions. It never was, but she hoped every time, nonetheless.
“Let me see you to your chambers, alright? I shall prepare you some hot milk. How does that sound? You can lie down, gather your thoughts, and if you wish to go to the countryside, we shall talk?—”
“You do not understand!” Nicholas cried. “I do not have time for milk! I do not have time tolie downand wait, for hewill get me.”
In the next moment, the door to Montgomery Manor burst open, and Edwina’s stomach dropped as she realized that her brother—her brother with his paranoia and lack of coherence—had been right, as the eyes of Lord Stockton landed on him.
“You thieving, squandering fool!” Lord Stockton boomed, pointing an accusatory finger at Nicholas as he stormed into the entrance hall.
Edwina froze in shock as she looked at the Earl of Stockton. He was an older gentleman in his fifties, whom she had seen around London enough times.
Only not enough to know why he called her brother a thief.
Nicholas stepped back, shoving her behind him. “Leave,Stockton.”
But the Earl was not deterred. He laughed cruelly. “Look at you, Lord Montgomery. The renowned earldom your father ruled falls dishonorably beneath your control. If he could only see his son, addicted to laudanum, intoxicated so often that he doesnot know how much danger he brings to his front door. To his sister.”
His eyes landed on Edwina, and she clenched her fists, repulsed as she looked away.
“You owe me a great deal of money, Montgomery, and I have let your debts go unchecked for a good while now. However, my patience runs thin.”
Through the open door, several men approached, the looks in their eyes ominous, and Edwina’s pulse spiked as she watched them spread out behind Lord Stockton.
“What shall it be?” Lord Stockton asked, cocking his head. “My money, or a blow for each pound you owe me?”
“Please, My Lord, do not resort to violence!” Edwina shouted, unable to stand back. She stepped in front of her brother and put her hand on his shoulder as if to keep him away from the Earl. “If it is money you need, I am sure we can arrange something. You have my word?—”
“Oh no.” Lord Stockton laughed. “See, it ismymoney, but your brother has made many false promises already. What use do I have of your word? I needaction, Lady Edwina.”
“Winnie, go upstairs,” Nicholas whispered urgently. When Edwina did not move, he took her hand and pried it off his shoulder. “Winnie,please.”
She turned back to him to find his face pale and his eyes growing heavy, as if it was taking him every scrap of effort he had to stay upright. He swayed slightly.
“See how easily he will go down,” Lord Stockton noted, cocking his head. He stepped forward, and his men advanced with him, their crowbars and bats raised.
Edwina’s breaths came fast and quick, panic rising inside her with an edge she could not control.
Nicholas tugged on her hand, squeezing it. “Ed-Edwina, there is a box beneath my bed in my chamber. Will you retrieve it for me? I believe I can give Lord Stockton what he asks for.”
His eyes flashed, and she realized that he was trying to get her out of the entrance hall and out of the house.
She nodded shakily, but Lord Stockton laughed and reached out to snag her wrist.
Edwina screamed; bruises were already forming on her fair skin. She tried to yank her arm back to no avail.
“Not so fast. I am no fool. If Montgomery had what I wanted, he would have given it long before his sister came to any harm,” Lord Stockton snarled.
“Let me go!” Edwina hissed, her voice hoarse.
Lord Stockton’s fingers dug into her flesh. “Now, now, you are a reasonable girl. A smart one, from what I hear. If you cause a commotion, then I will make sure that all of Mayfair finds out about your precious brother’s addiction. Imagine the havoc it would wreak, finding out that the respectable Earl of Montgomery has disgraced his father’s legacy because he was not strong enough to overcome a war injury.”
Condescension and judgment dripped from his voice, the insult aimed at both Nicholas and Edwina.
She struggled, pulling her hand back.
“Johnson,” Lord Stockton called to one of the men. “Have your messengers?—”
