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He sank to his knees as Snowdrop trotted over to him.

Scarlett was gone, and with her, she had taken all that was bright in the world.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

The lights of Southford Estate were out when Scarlett arrived. Frowning, she threw her hood off her head as she rushed towards the door. No one, not even the butler, greeted her.

Icy dread settled in the pit of her stomach. The entire manor was quiet. Much too quiet that it was unsettling.

Where is everyone?

She crossed the foyer, her footfalls echoing almost thunderously in the oppressive silence.

“Oh, Scarlett! There you are!”

She whirled around to find Lord Colton striding towards her with an affable smile on his face. He had dispensed with his coat and was in the act of loosening his cravat when he saw her. He looked too at ease for someone who was not in his residence.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, eyeing him with suspicion. “Where is Alexander?”

“He went out to find a physician for the dear Dowager Countess. We were all so worried when she fainted this afternoon.”

He was much too calm for his supposed concern.

“And my mother?” she queried, instinctively stepping away from him.

He smiled silkily at her. “Oh, you will see her soon.”

Her heart thundered in her chest. There was something very, very wrong. She could feel it.

“But enough talk about trivial matters.” He stalked towards her. “How have you been? How has your husband been treating you?” His eyes narrowed, frost glinting in their depths. “Such a violent beast should never have been allowed in your presence. I only wish to protect you from him.”

He reached out as if to caress her cheek, but she hastily stepped away from him.

“I do not need protection frommy own husband, My Lord,” she snapped. “I would suggest that you stop involving yourself in my business. And I will thank you to refer to me as‘Your Grace’in the future.”

His entire frame stiffened, and his eyes narrowed. “Oh, really?”

Scarlett felt her panic clawing up her throat.

I need to get away.But I also need to make sure that Mama is unharmed.

Hopefully, Alexander would return soon, because she did not want to remain longer in his friend’s company.

She is gone.

Hudson chipped away at the marble, his brow furrowed. He hammered at the chisel, vaguely aware that he was close to battering the tool.

“Your Grace.”

“What?” he snarled.

“Your Grace, the Earl of Southford and the Dowager Countess are here,” the poor butler informed him. “They are looking for Her Grace.”

She is gone! Why are you looking for her here?

He threw the tools onto the worktable and stiffened.

Why, indeed, were they looking for her here when he had assumed she would have been back at Southford Estate by now?