Escaping the Duke (The Secret Crusaders #1)

Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

The Duke and Duchess of Sherring and Lady Priscilla

Are honored to attend the Bradenton Ball

It will be a night to remember

T he world sparkled with enchantment.

Priscilla had attended countless balls, night after night, week after week, yet never had she seen such brilliance, such pure, unrestrained luxury as Bradenton’s affair. Hundreds of candles illuminated gilded furnishings, set in massive chandeliers above a seemingly endless expanse. The ballroom was massive, with doors leading to hallways, flanked by dozens of rooms. A large band played in the corner, their excellence apparent in the flawless music. And the people…

While every event was a reason to impress, the ton had taken grandness to a new extent. Ladies danced in ball gowns threaded with genuine stones, their tresses arranged in silky curls. The men wore suits in the latest styles, their cravats intricate and crisp, as they led their partners with bold moves. The couples twirled on the gleaming dance floor, graceful, elegant and beautiful.

Priscilla’s gown floated around her like an ethereal cloud, sparkling under the candlelight. It felt even more magical than in the shop, with matching jewels and her hair twisted into an intricate creation of curls. She truly looked like a princess ready to meet her prince.

Yet the perfect facade hid a broken heart.

Not broken, but shattered, as she fought to give up her true love. Yet she had no other choice, not if she wanted to change the world. And from that moment with her grandmother so long ago, she had wanted nothing else.

So she would ignore that it was a night of magic, a night of matches . Many had come to make their own, and to watch others do the same. Most of all, they marveled at the announcement an updated invitation promised. Most thought they already knew.

Bradenton’s match.

Their betrothal.

Her surrender.

There had to be a way to stop it! When her father told her of his agreement with Edmund, she pleaded for him to change his mind. She tried every strategy that had ever worked, charm, anger and demands, and yet he would not alter his decision. She would marry Bradenton, and if she did not she would be removed to the country until she agreed.

She could do no good from the country. If she left London during the height of the season, all her hard work would be lost. She couldn’t allow herself to be whisked away, but if he commanded it, she would have no choice. For now, her father owned her.

If she didn’t stop this, Bradenton would be next.

She had to do something. Her only thought was to announce her own betrothal with someone else before Bradenton’s announcement. At this point, it didn’t matter who it was, or if he spoke to rocks, only that he allowed her to continue her all-important work. Bradenton would be furious, and would likely try to interfere, yet if the suitor was well-positioned it just may work. Her father would not want scandal when he still had her brothers to match.

Tonight she would choose her own husband. Someone who wasn’t Bradenton.

Her heart cracked.

It was the right thing to do. It was the only thing to do. No matter how much she loved him, she couldn’t surrender. He had already forbidden her to work, and they weren’t even betrothed!

Where was he? Edmund was one of the few people who could get away with being late to his own ball. His family was here, greeting the people who arrived, but the master of the house was nowhere to be seen. Instead of getting annoyed, the ton lauded their leader even more, speculating on the vital business that kept him from their presence. Of course, many glanced her way, no doubt wondering about her role. The announcement simply had to be about her, said a thousand hushed whispers. They were likely right.

From the corner, she stood watching. She should be out there dancing, deciding which man to pursue. She only had this one night, and not even its entirety, for once Bradenton made the announcement, no lord would dare go against him. Yet she didn’t leave her perch, not even to sign up for a dance. She had to see Edmund first, at least from afar. Somehow convince herself this was the right thing to do.

A hearty laugh distracted her, and she turned. She cringed. Lord Roxbury.

Her stomach soured even more as he made a crude gesture. He was talking to Lord Snarvelle, another who cared only for his riches and the mistresses he mistreated. Their wide smiles indicated laughter, but she was too far away to hear their conversation. Snarvelle said something, and Roxbury put his hands to his lips, as if to shush him. Roxbury looked left and right, then gestured for Snarvelle to follow.

She straightened. Where were they going? Anything Roxbury and Snarvelle discussed was no doubt unsavory, possibly criminal. Most importantly, it may be something she could use to sway their votes.

She didn’t hesitate. Soon she may have to give up her work, but tonight she made her own choices. As the two men disappeared down a corridor, she hurried after them.

Fifteen minutes later she was thoroughly disgusted.

For long, long minutes she listened to Roxbury and Snarvelle discuss women, and not in a way any person, much less lady, should ever hear. It was disgusting, but nothing she could use. Everyone knew of the men’s liaisons, including their wives. She would have left a while ago, yet they had moved too close to her hiding spot. She would have to wait until they returned to the ball to escape.

Finally, Snarvelle said, “We better get back. I’m curious about Bradenton’s announcement.”

Roxbury humphed. “It’s obvious he’s going to offer for the Sherring chit. I heard they were alone in his…”

Heat flooded her, even as the voices faded out of hearing distance. If people were talking about their illicit behavior, would another man even offer for her?

She waited another minute. but no more sounds came from the hallway. She stepped out.

And stared at the large man before her.

His grin was pure evil. “What do we have here?”

Where was Priscilla? According to his friends, she had arrived an hour ago, when he had still been crafting his plan for the night. Her brothers had not yet arrived, and her parents were happily chatting with the rest of the ton while their daughter was missing. When she belonged to him–

Stop.

He fought instincts demanding possessiveness, protectiveness. If he could ever have a true relationship with Priscilla, he had to allow her freedom. Which meant no whisking to Gretna Green and no locking her in a tower. He had formulated a plan, one he hoped would secure him a willing bride.

He still planned on announcing their betrothal tonight.

Yet now she was nowhere to be found. Perhaps she was in the retiring room or some corner chatting with friends. Eventually she would have to appear.

He interacted with guests, greeted countless people in conversations he couldn’t remember. Yet as the minutes passed, his apprehension grew. What if she was in trouble? What if she had decided to go sleuthing? The last thought made his blood run cold.

Now he actively looked for her, threading in and out of groups, looking over the sea of people. He was about to make his way towards the ladies’ retiring room when a gruff voice exclaimed, “What is taking Roxbury so long?”

He halted, turned, walked slowly toward Snarvelle. The thin, balding lord was as crooked as Roxbury, yet not nearly as sly. Edmund hated inviting either to his event, yet he didn’t want to give a blatant insult they would remember at voting time.

“He should be back by now.”

“Roxbury is missing somewhere in my home?”

Snarvelle started. He gulped. “We didn’t touch anything, Your Grace. We simply wanted a private space for a conversation. About ladies, you see.”

Bradenton glared.

“Yes, well…” Sweat formed on Snarvelle’s brow. “We spoke for a few minutes and headed back. Roxbury realized he dropped his watch and went to retrieve it. I was just wondering what was taking him so long.”

What… or who. Sudden fear iced his veins, as every protective and possessive instinct he’d been restraining fired. “Where were you?” he growled.

“Down the corridor,” Snarvelle squeaked. “There was an open door at the end, a guest room. It was decorated blue.”

Bradenton didn’t wait to hear more. He pivoted, moving as fast as he could without breaking into a run. He was likely mistaken, but he couldn’t ignore the possibility that Priscilla was investigating Roxbury. The first time, she had almost been caught. What if this time, she had?

A woman screamed.

She’d miscalculated so much.

The danger of her investigations.

The consequences of her actions.

Edmund.

The first two were painfully obvious, literally and figuratively. Roxbury had taken her by such surprise, she’d barely screamed when he grabbed her arm and dragged her into the guest room. She had flung herself forward then, but he was too strong. He pushed her back, closed the door. Locked it.

Now as he stared at her with a lecherous grin, all she could think of was Edmund. How she never told him she loved him. How she had not fought for them. How she gave him up.

From now on, she would fight.

“Were you waiting for me, sweet thing?”

“Of course not!” An involuntary shiver wracked her, even as she stood taller and said in her most haughty voice, “I don’t know what you’re thinking, Lord Roxbury, but this is completely inappropriate. Let me out.”

“Come on now, sweet thing.” His grin widened as he stalked forward. “I know how you are. Everyone does.”

She scooted back, just out of his reach. The stench of male sweat reached her. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t play coy, love. I know all about you and Bradenton. How you went to his bedroom the other day.”

She blanched.

“Oh yes, everyone knows about that. Course they don’t care too much, since they figure you’re about to get betrothed. But Bradenton has been a pain for a while now. Why don’t you share some of your favors?”

“I will never share anything with you!” she hissed. “This has gone far enough, Lord Roxbury. I don’t know what you think you know, but I am a lady. I am also the daughter of the Duke of Sherring and a good friend of the Duke of Bradenton. What do you think will happen when they find out what transpired?”

His toothy grin was filled with malice. “I assume they’ll marry you off as soon as possible and pretend it never happened. Wouldn’t want scandal and all that. Now come here, sweeting. You look delectable in that dress. I wonder how you look without it.”

Then… he lunged.

“Edmund!” she screamed as she jumped back. Her back hit the wall hard, stealing her breath and sending stars dancing before her eyes. Her stomach lurched with fear. She spun, but there was nowhere to escape. As Roxbury’s meaty hands grabbed at her, she clenched her eyes shut.

Then… a roar.

Crashing. Banging. Yelling.

She opened her eyes to a fight between giants. Once more Edmund had turned into her warrior. Roxbury already sported a swollen eye, but Edmund deflected every blow, his swift reflexes far superior to the lecherous man. They parried back and forth, Roxbury huffing and puffing amidst Edmund’s knife-sharp focus. Priscilla gasped when the soft man got a lucky shot in Edmund’s shoulder, yet the duke barely reacted. The brute was simply no match for Bradenton.

The fight was over almost as quickly as it began. As Edmund reached his hand back to prepare for another blow, Roxbury whimpered, “I didn’t mean anything. She was asking for it!”

With a growl, Edmund pushed him against the wall. “Didn’t mean anything?” His voice was deadly. “I know exactly what you were about to do. Never again, Roxbury, do you hear me?”

“But I–”

“Never again, or you will see the power I truly wield. You think I’m a gentleman? If you ever touch an unwilling woman again, from the loftiest lady to a flower girl on the street, you will answer to me. I will come for you, and this time I will not be nice.”

The color drained from Roxbury’s face.

“I’m also sick of you doing everything in your power to hurt society. From now on, you will support all measures to aid those in need. If you don’t, I will tell everyone what happened today.”

“You can’t. You won’t. Lady Priscilla–”

“Will be just fine,” Edmund finished. “I can protect her from scandal. Can you say the same about yourself? Do you think your friends, business associates, wife will support you?”

Roxbury paled. “I agree!” His words meant nothing, but the fear in his eyes said he would think twice before crossing Edmund.

“Leave my home, and never return. From now on, you are a changed man.” Edmund let go of Roxbury.

Roxbury fell to the floor and… attacked.

Priscilla jumped back as the two large men fought once more. Roxbury fought dirty, yet Edmund was far stronger. Her heart thundered as Roxbury just missed connecting. Fear infused her. Edmund was by far the better fighter, but what if Roxbury got a lucky shot? She had to do something!

She spun around. There had to be something she could use as a weapon.

She spied a vase…

With all her might she launched herself at the large blue and gold piece, picked it up by its smooth curved sides. She stumbled towards the fighting men, waited for just the right moment…

And clobbered Lord Roxbury.

“What in the world?” Lord Roxbury screamed. He lunged for her, but Edmund drew his fist back and gave one mighty swing.

And giant, evil Lord Roxbury went down.

Edmund opened his arms.

She dropped the vase and flew into them.

“Oh Edmund… I… I…” Emotions raged now that the danger was past. She choked back a cry.

“You’re all right. I’ve got you.”

He held her like he’d never let go, and she never wanted him to. She melted into him, accepting his strength and his warmth, his care and concern. Love surrounded her as she held the man who had infiltrated her heart.

The man she would never let go.

Somewhere in the background men came. Edmund ordered them to take Roxbury away. The ruffian was already stirring, apologizing profusely and agreeing to all of Edmund’s demands. Then they were alone again.

Finally, the tears slowed and then stopped, and she sniffed. He handed her a soft cloth. She wanted to stay like this forever, but things needed to be said. No longer was she determined to sacrifice their love. Somehow she would find a way to keep both her dreams.

He softly caressed her back. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, thanks to you. Did he hurt you?”

He shook his head, even as she continued to examine him. If he wanted the right to watch over her, she would care for him as well. Thankfully, he was unharmed. Large but slow Roxbury had barely connected, and Edmund was more disheveled than hurt.

“Edmund, I don’t know what to say. I never imagined this would happen. Thank you for coming after me.” She smiled through misty tears. “For always being there.”

He smiled at her, but not with his typical mask. Brilliant emotion shone in his eyes.

Her breath hitched. It was almost as if he…

He straightened his suit, ran a hand through his hair. Then…

He handed her a letter.