Page 5

Run, darling.

And he did.

He left her like the coward he was.

Because if he didn’t, he’d be subject to the same fate. He curled over himself like that would protect him from whatever punishment his father felt like dealing that day. Even though he was almost safe, he couldn’t stop himself from anticipating the attack.

But she wasn’t safe.

And he’d left her.

Pain overwhelmed him, and something fractured deep inside his chest.

His lungs cinched tight, seizing so hard he nearly lost his footing. A sob wrenched from deep inside him, his stomach convulsing.

He’d left her.

One of these days, he was afraid she wouldn’t be there when he came back.

4

Theo

Theo’s fingers clenched around the strap of her satchel as she made her way to the gazebo overlooking the Ironcrest pond. She shivered and glanced at the grey sky. She should have worn her father’s greatcoat over her frock coat. Early May didn’t exactly lend itself to outdoor meetings. The Duke had summoned her to the gazebo and informed her to bring her ledgers and account books with her. She had to assume that meant he wasn’t sacking her. Yet. But the location was curious.

And Theo was awfully curious. She’d snooped. After the Duke had abruptly left her office, she’d sent Perry to investigate. Perry was a notorious gossip, something that came in quite useful. But when he’d returned a half hour later, Theo was only left with more questions. Because apparently the Duke’s attire had been found scattered across the estate…with no Duke in sight.

Theo was a rational woman. She had eight-and-twenty years of life experience. She was a steward, for bloody sake. Yet there was a part of her—the child who loved lore and the fanciful old tales her father’d told her at bedtime—that was wondering if His Grace had been forced to flee. To flee before the ancient curse he’d been inflicted with could take hold and turn him back into a beast.

A slightly hysterical chuckle burst from her. Rational, my arse. Clearly, her nerves were getting the best of her. But. He hadn’t returned to the castle until the next morning. He hadn’t dined with Her Grace or Bash. Hadn’t even greeted them or visited with them at all. Most likely because he was galloping through the woods in whatever beastly form he had been transformed into.

It was hard not to be fanciful when one worked in an ancient castle. Every soul who had stepped foot in Ironcrest Castle had a ghostly tale to share, each one more elaborate and disquieting than the last. She’d heard the tales of the late duchess haunting the grounds. Fallen to her death, or so it was claimed. An accident. But others…others said it hadn’t been an accident at all.

Theo’s gaze caught on a towering, broad-shouldered form staring out across the pond from where he stood inside the gazebo. Not a beast at the moment.

Not a literal beast, but one might still use the term to describe the man.

She stepped into the structure. His Grace showed no signs he heard her. No movement. She narrowed her eyes. Was he even breathing? Her gaze caught on his neck. His bare neck. No cravat, no waistcoat, lawn shirt gaping open… A flush stole over her.

None of that, Theo.

She cleared her throat. “Your Grace.” She bowed.

He didn’t move.

He didn’t make a sound.

Maybe he was dead? Can one die standing up?

Only one way to find out.

She poked him. And nearly broke her finger. She winced and shook out her hand. It was as if the man were made of stone.

He slowly turned, dark grey eyes boring into her. Her pulse shook, heart rattling against her sternum. Goodness, his presence was…potent.

She hid her unease behind a polite smile. “So, it appears you are, in fact, not dead. Excellent news.”

His gaze searched hers, then quickly swept over her. She stiffened. He didn’t hide the purpose of his perusal. His eyes touched her everywhere. Lingered in places they had no right lingering. She gritted her teeth.