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“Oh yes,” he said, sneering. “I know that Elsa told you of my plans for you. Obedience will be rewarded, sin punished.” He let her go, her knees giving way so that she slumped back to the floor.

Hot tears tracked down her cheeks, her hands supporting her on the cool stone as she tried to calm her breathing. She had to think. She looked about to find the usually bustling kitchen empty. Had everyone left when Lord Whitehouse entered, or had they gone when he knocked her to the ground? Either way, she knew she’d find no support from the staff.

Her uncle was no ally. Despite all her gratitude, it was becoming obvious that he’d cared for her and Abigail for reasons other than familial duty. She sank until bent in half, she could press her forehead to the cool stone. What was she going to do?

“Sophie.”

She recognized the deep baritone of Lord Maxwell’s voice. She’d protected him just now with Lord Whitehouse. If he couldn’t help her, she courted danger every time they spoke.

“You should go, Lord Maxwell, before you’re seen.”

He crouched down next to her, his hand sliding gently down her back. “Call me, Max.”

That made her lift her chin enough to turn and look at him. “Max. You should go.”

“This w-was because of the guard?”

She nodded even as he brushed his fingers over the swelling skin of her cheek.

“Come right now. Leave. I’ll hide you away.” The fierceness of his gaze might have frightened her, but she understood that his anger was in her defense.

“No.” She shook her head, sitting up, and straightening her spine so that his fingers fell away. “Not without Abigail.”

“Tonight? C-come to the garden.”

Sophie shook her head. “There is a guard outside my room. And if I’m caught—” She shivered. She didn’t need to ask to know what Lord Whitehouse would do to her or Sophie if she were caught trying to escape.

“What floor do you sleep on?”

“Second.”

He frowned. “Too high.”

What was he thinking?

He only leaned closer and, to her complete shock, brushed a kiss over her temple. “Can you have Abigail with you in the evenings?”

“Yes.” Their rooms are connected.

“Be ready. I’ll be back and I will see you both out of this house.”

Then, he was gone.

Sophie stared after him. Did he really think he could? What if he couldn’t? Lord Whitehouse’s wrath frightened her half to death.

What if he could?

CHAPTER SEVEN

Max stood outside Lord Whitehouse’s estate, Ironheart and several constables flanking him.

Tension filled his gut, sitting like a weight. He wasn’t worried for himself. It was Sophie and Abigail’s safety that gave him concern. “You know the plan?” he asked Ironheart.

“Crystal clear.” The other man nodded. “You’re certain about your part?”

“She can’t stay here,” he replied. “If I don’t return tonight…”

“I’m to find another way to remove her. Understood.” For once, Ironheart neither smiled nor joked. He looked deadly serious.