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But somehow, my feet carried me to Acton’s study.

I stood there, staring at the desk, where I had seen Azriel do unspeakable things only days before. It was somehow a sign of my fate, of how far I would now fall, of how I was about to lose my good name and everything that came with it.

I sank into the armchair by the fire, and opened my father’s letter.

My dearest Evangeline

It was with great sorrow that I received the news of your husband’s passing. I know how much you loved him, and what a good husband he was to you. I am only sorry that I was not there to comfort you during your time of greatest sorrow.

My health has worsened, and the doctor has advised against travel or strain of any kind. But Adelaide has informed me that you intend to take a house in Leicester, and it will do me good to have my only child close to me again.

Be strong, my own heart, and I shall hope to see you very soon.

All my love

Your Father

With a strangled cry,I balled the letter in my hand and threw it across the room.

“Fool!” I shouted, clawing my hands into my hair. “You cursed, stupid old fool!”

I was here because of him. He had sold me into a loveless marriage and left me at the mercy of Azriel Caine. I had noprotections, no money, only a good name and a pretty face to commend me.

And now my father was joyfully expecting my return to Leicester, when all he would now hear from me was my dramatic fall from grace.

I hated them. I hated all of them.

And the one I hated the most was due to return by nightfall.

10

A LIE AND A CHOICE

The dark night encroached, and Mary fussed once again over my refusal to eat. But I could not bring myself to force down a single bite. The feeling that whirred through my body, I imagined it was precisely what Hendridge must have felt before that trap door fell out from under him.

Any moment, any second now, everything would change, and there would be no going back.

George came to inform me at 7 o’clock that Azriel had returned home, and was taking dinner in his room. The predator was back in his lair, pacing the floor, awaiting the arrival of his prey. I could not delay forever, but first I had to send Mary away without readying me for bed. I would not chance going into Azriel’s room in nothing but my night clothes again. I needed the protective armour of my mourning gown and stays, and would certainly not let him touch me.

As Mary stoked the fire, I smoothed my hands over my skirt, and cleared my throat.

“Mary, I have decided to spend the night invigil.”

She stopped what she was doing, her eyebrows raised as she looked across the room at me. “Madam?”

“Today, speaking with Father Price, I felt compelled to… seek a way forward, and for that, I feel I must sit in vigil tonight.”

“Of course madam, allow me to sit with you.” She smiled warmly, and wiped her hands on her pinafore.

I dipped my head, smiling awkwardly at my clasped hands in my lap. “Thank you, Mary, but no. I recognised today how lost I am, and how I might seek some comfort from prayer.”

“Of course, madam, but-”

“My mind is caught in a raging storm, Mary.” I looked up at her, surprising even myself as tears sprang to my eyes. “I cannot bear waking every morning knowing that this is my future.” I swallowed hard, hating that Mary could not know the truth in my words, and just what my future would hold after this evening. “Father Price has told me to have faith in our Lord, and to try and see a way forward.”

“There is a way forward, madam.” Mary hurried across the room to crouch at my feet, taking my hand. “There always is. My grandmother always used to tell me when I was a girl, when God closes one door, another will open.”

I smiled weakly at my maid, clutching her hand and wishing more than anything I could tell her what the door that had just been opened for me held. A prison, even worse than the one I had just escaped.