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The Viscountess shook her head before Nora finished. “I cannot leave him. He wasn’t always like this. He used to be so loving and caring. That was why I married him. And I know he loves me too. He just needs help in remembering that. Maybe he can change, Nora.”

Nora sighed at the realization that nothing would come of this. Talking to her mother was like talking to a wall.

“How much more of Lord Worlington’s abuse can you take before you realize that the man you knew is gone and you stop losing yourself in him so much?” Nora asked, her last-ditch effort to convince her mother to make the right decision. One that would guarantee them a better life.

How much more is he going to hurt you?

Nora wiped her eyes in anger. She let out a short, humorless laugh as she stared at the mark on her hand from the Duke’s kisses.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, after all.

Here she was, upset with her mother for refusing to leave a harmful relationship, but hadn’t she been close to doing the same despite knowing the truth. Her mother was blind to the truth of her situation, and Nora had been just as blinded.

She was also being absolutely foolish, trusting the Duke and falling for a fantasy even when the truth had been presented to her before she embarked on her rendezvous with him.

Maybe she had no right to think her mother made the wrong decision. After all, she had only just been eating out of the Duke’s hand.

Nora stared up into the starry night sky, uncertain of what to do now that her mother would not be joining her in her escape plan, and also disappointed in the two of them for the kind of men they allowed into their lives.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Nora was at a ball when things got rowdy. She looked from her friends to the sudden commotion in the room. She knew it was him even before she saw him. He’d always had that pull that made everyone want to please him and speak with him. She wasn’t immune to his charms either.

Her breath caught in her throat, Selina’s words fading away as she watched him, unable to look away. His dark blue eyes held her in a trance she could not break out of.away from.

“Are you listening to anything I’m saying, Nora?” Selina asked, eyeing her curiously.

“Oh, I’m sorry. My mind was somewhere else for a moment,” Nora offered apologetically.

Selina’s eyebrows rose, and her eyes twinkled. She clapped her hands together and leaned in with what appeared to be childlike excitement.

“Anything you would like to share? I’ve grown tired of the stale gossip around here,” she said.

“Perhaps we should let Nora breathe for a moment, Sel,” Thalia, who had watched their interaction quietly until that moment, interjected.

Nora stared at her with gratitude. Her neck itched from Samuel’s gaze burning into her back. She could feel his stare. Her hands clenched into fists as she willed herself to stay still and not look his way. It was harder than she imagined it would be, but she managed it, nonetheless.

“Lady Nora.”

Nora tensed as his deep voice washed over her. She turned around to glance at him, every step like rocks tied to her feet.

“Your Grace.” Selina curtsied, jabbing her elbow into Thalia’s side to follow suit.

Thalia winced, glaring at her sister before bobbing a curtsy.

“Perhaps we could share the next dance,” he said, his face devoid of any emotion.

Nora nodded. “Certainly, Your Grace.”

She placed her hand in his, allowing him to lead her towards the dancefloor. His fingers tightened around hers as he led her onto the dancefloor, his eyes looking ahead.

“Meet me tonight,” he said suddenly, his voice low so no one would hear them. “Come to the estate.”

Nora grimaced as she stared fixedly at the couple behind him. Her voice was as neutral as his when she spoke finally.

“Certainly, Your Grace,” she said. “There is not much time to lose, after all.”

The music carried on as they danced in silence. Nora’s heart clenched, as she wished to be away from him and among her friends once again. They wouldn’t hurt her with their words or actions, and they certainly wouldn’t act like nothing happened if they did.