Page 112 of Bound By the Duke

“What was that?” Hyacinth whispered.

Aurelia waved her hand, indicating that they should move.

They followed the noise down a hallway until they reached a closed door. Beyond it, a muffled scream came, followed by the sound of fabric tearing.

CRACK!

Something, perhaps a vase, was knocked over.

“Bastard.”

Aurelia didn’t hesitate. Didn’t waste a dime. She shoved the door open and froze at the scene before her.

Nora was inside, her gown torn at her shoulder. She was struggling against Sir Edmund, pushing him back as he tried to pin her down. His large hand was clamped over her mouth, muffling her cries, and he was staring deeply into her terrified brown eyes.

Hyacinth gasped as she rushed into the room, and the sound seemed to snap Aurelia out of her daze.

How dare he?

Aurelia moved forward, grabbed the nearest object—a heavy candlestick—and swung it with all her might. It caught Sir Edmund on his side, making him stagger backward and curse under his breath.

“Let her go!” Aurelia snarled, her eyes blazing.

Hyacinth moved to drag Nora away, wrapping a protective arm around her trembling body.

Aurelia didn’t stop. She kicked the cad, taking her pent-up frustration and fury out on him. Her hands blurred as she landed blow after blow.

Thanks to Louis, she’d had several sword fighting classes—much to her mother’s dismay. Lady Scovell never failed to press upon her the importance of pursuing ladylike activities.

Well, being unladylike was definitely saving them right now.

“Let’s go, quickly!” she shouted breathlessly when Sir Edmund was weak enough.

The three ladies gathered their skirts and darted out, their slippers pounding against the floor.

Theyflewdown the corridor, ignoring the startled servants. Soon, they were out of the door and inside their carriage.

Almost immediately, Nora collapsed against Hyacinth’s shoulder.

“Drive!” Aurelia barked at the coachman. “Drive fast!”

The horses rushed forward. The carriage lurched down the lane, the wheels flying over gravel. They moved through the woods, the trees closing in.

Aurelia’s stomach dropped when she heard the thunder of horses’ hooves behind them. They were being chased by a group offuriousmen.

Soon, the riders overtook them and surrounded them, forcing their carriage to a halt. And at the center, seated atop a black steed, was Sir Edmund himself.

His face was contorted in wrath, his eyes dark with menace.

“You think you can run from me?” His voice cut through the air like a blade. Then, he lifted his hand, signaling to his men. “Take them.”

CHAPTER 35

“Take them.”

The command echoed like a death knell through the thick woods.

The horses pawed at the dirt impatiently, steam blowing from their nostrils as though they could sense the violence in the air.