Page 22 of Duke of Diamonds
She tried to pull away, but he yanked her closer, his face just inches from hers now. There was darkness in his eyes—cold and cruel.
“Let her go,” came a new voice, low but commanding.
A second hand closed gently over hers, resting atop Aaron’s clenched fist. They both turned to see Isaac.
Fiona had not seen him approach, but there he stood—tall, immovable, and wholly unbothered by the growing scene.
“You do not wish to make a spectacle, do you, Canterlack?” Isaac said, his voice low enough to be civil, yet sharp enough to draw blood.
Aaron hesitated. Then, with visible reluctance, he released her wrist.
Fiona instinctively cradled her arm, rubbing the reddened skin. Her breath trembled.
Isaac’s eyes followed the motion. His expression darkened further.
“You will not touch her in such a manner again,” he said, his voice quieter now but edged with steel. “Ever.”
Aaron straightened. “This one is none of your concern, Craton. I am already betrothed to her.”
Fiona flinched at the phrasing—this one. Not even a name.
“We shall see about that,” Isaac replied, and then he reached for her hand. She allowed it—gratefully—his touch cool and firm as he tucked her arm into his.
“Shall we?” he asked, his gaze not leaving Canterlack’s.
Fiona nodded, unable to summon words. Her legs were moving before her mind could catch up.
Aaron did not follow. Not here, not now. The eyes of the park were upon them, and he would not suffer the indignity of a public quarrel.
They walked in silence, and Fiona could feel the tension slowly bleed from her shoulders.
“Are you hurt?” Isaac asked quietly.
“I’m fine,” she said. Her voice was too thin.
“I shall walk you home.”
“Thank you.”
A few steps later, he spoke again. “I told you not to trust him.”
Fiona exhaled slowly. “No matter what, Iamhis betrothed, Isaac. When he asks for a walk in the park, I cannot very well refuse.”
“I dread to think what might have happened had I not arrived,” he muttered. “He hurt you, Fiona.”
The sharpness in his voice startled her.
“My wrist is hardly mangled. It’s already fading.”
He stopped walking. “A little discoloration? He was violent.” Fiona blinked up at him.Why are you so furious?“And you were reckless,” he added, the accusation startlingly sharp.
“I beg your pardon?” she returned, equally bristled now.
“I would have managed the situation perfectly well,” she said tightly. “Besides, what could he possibly have done in a public park, surrounded by half of Mayfair?”
“Oh, you would be surprised.”
Her mouth parted again—this time not in shock but suspicion.
