Page 127 of Never Besmirch a Wallflower: Dukes and Wallflowers

Smooshed between both men, Mr. Hughes attempted in vain to shove their chests backward. “May I suggest we move this discussion somewhere private?”

“You can use my study,” Mr. Venning said from his protective position beside Miss Drummond’s body, pointing to a door roughly ten feet across from Eveline.

The Duke of Lennox nodded once, then Humphrey, each of them lowering their hands.

“If everyone else would return to the ballroom,” Mr. Hughes said, raising his voice. “We will get the matter sorted and release you.”

The assembly split into two groups, with most of them shoving through the first entryway to the ballroom. Those who didn’t wish to wait bypassed the entrance in favor of Eveline’s and strolled down the corridor toward her.

Before anyone recognized her, she hastened out of the ballroom and hurried in the opposite direction of the foyer. Opening the first door she discovered, Eveline squeezed through the small space, shut the door with a light click, and pressed her ear to the wood, listening for any approaching voice.

She hadn’t yet determined how to exit the Venning’s residence without anyone noticing her. Turning around, her eyes slid over rows of bookshelves, seeking a window. Nestled in an alcove, a bank of three windows provided a potential solution.

Would she fit?

A shiver rolled through her body as if a cold wind slipped under the closed door and lowered the temperature in the library. Glancing over her shoulder, she swallowed and backed away from the door.

The handle depressed, and the door inched forward.

Eveline ran to the window and ducked behind the long, blue drapes, pulling the material around her dress as the door opened and closed. Holding her breath, she pressed her back against the freezing cold windowpane and gasped, clamping her hand over her mouth.

“Eveline.” The deep voice turned her blood to ice. “I know you’re in here.”

She didn’t move.

“The Duke… of something decided he’d rather step aside than encounter the ramifications of attempting to steal my fiancée.”

Humphrey had to be lying.

“If I have to drag you out, you’ll regret forcing me to do so.”

She still didn’t move.

A hand punched through the drape and closed around her arm, yanking her away from the wall and flinging her halfway across the library. Eveline crashed into a low table, pain exploding in her body, and knocked the books askew as she tumbled off the side of the table onto the floor.

She moaned, rolling side to side. Little black spots danced in her vision.

Humphrey strode over and leaned over. Digging his fingers into her hair, he jerked her head up, forcing her to stare into his eyes.

“I missed you,” he said, a dark smile stretching his mouth into a terrifying grin. “I told you that I’d always come for you.”

“Ernest ended the engagement,” she whimpered, a tear leaking down her face.

“Ernest… Ernest…” Humphrey tilted his head as though considering Eveline’s words. “The man who murdered my sister? No, I don’t recall any conversation with him about dissolving our connection.”

“That’s a lie!” Eveline pushed up and swung her fist at him.

His left palm swallowed her hand, crushing her fingers until she cried out. Then he threw her arm away and stood, dragging Eveline to her feet by her hair.

“I will claim you tonight, but my uncle’s library isn’t the most private location.” He jerked her body against his, grinding himself into her. “And I don’t wish us to be interrupted.”

“I refuse you,” she whispered.

“Pardon?” His eyes blazed. “I didn’t hear you.”

“I refuse to marry you.”

Humphrey’s arm whipped out, and he slapped Eveline across the face. Her legs buckled from the force, and she dropped to the floor, expelling a low groan. Bearing down on her, Humphrey shoved his hand into his jacket and retrieved a penknife. Unfolding the knife, Humphrey lifted the blade, catching the light from the flames flickering in the fireplace.