Page 1 of The Duke Who Stole Me (Stolen by the Duke #4)

Chapter One

“ C ongratulations once again, Lady Juliana.”

“You look astounding in that dress, Lady Juliana.”

“How lucky you are, Lady Juliana.”

Lady Juliana Walford, daughter of the late Earl of Ridgewell, let out a heavy breath as she stood in the ballroom of her childhood home, which her uncle now occupied.

She maintained her smile as she acknowledged every compliment, smile, and greeting from the guests, who were clearly much more excited about her engagement than she was.

“Thank you,” she’d said with a hand on her heart, her face bright, like her mother had instructed.

But she knew she couldn’t do it for longer. She had reached her limit, and if she smiled at any more guests, she feared they would see the crack. She feared they would notice that her smile didn’t reach her eyes, and then there would be gossip.

She could not afford that. But she also could not afford another second within the suffocating walls of the ballroom which she had once loved dearly.

So, she began to move.

“Julie, can you assist me with this?” Her youngest sister, Georgina, approached her, a small frown etched on her little, round face as she held up a hairpin that Juliana could tell had been pulled from her hair.

Her eight-year-old sister resembled her quite a bit, with her doe brown eyes, small lips, and luscious brown curls, which had been styled to perfection earlier. But now, one part seemed loose.

“Give me a moment, Gina.” Juliana gave her sister a small smile as she breezed past her, her eyes fixed on the double doors that led to the grand garden that her mother had spent the better part of her days tending.

She took note of the frown on Georgina’s face at her dismissal, which made her heart clench with unease. But her need took precedence over all else.

Being the unofficial head of her family, Juliana was responsible for everything and everyone, which, in turn, made them heavily dependent on her. She wouldn’t hesitate to assist her sister with anything on a normal day, but nothing about this day was normal.

However, before she could reach the doors, she was accosted by her mother and her immediate younger sister, Ava, who was sixteen years of age.

“Juliana! Are you well?” her mother asked, peering at her intently as though trying to read her mind.

“Very well, Mama,” Juliana responded, although it was evident that her attention was focused on something else—the double doors behind them.

“You don’t look well, my dear. I hope you’re not having any reckless thoughts?” Her mother narrowed her eyes at her, sizing her up.

“No, Mama. Although, I…I still believe if we persuade Uncle Francis enough, he could cancel this union,” Juliana stuttered.

The Dowager Countess of Ridgewell shook her head immediately. “I doubt you’ll find a better match than the earl, Julie. Remember what your uncle said—he would not be responsible for your dowry, and that of your sisters should you refuse this match,” she said, silencing whatever thoughts of rejection were in Juliana’s mind.

“I know and understand why you don’t want to accept this union, Julie. We will manage just fine. What matters to me is your happiness,” Ava piped up, a small smile on her lips as she took her sister’s hands in her own.

Juliana nodded, a smile forming on her face. She felt her eyes sting, aching to shed a tear, but she swallowed them down.

Her dear, sweet sisters. No, she could not risk their futures. It was her duty to care for them. She would marry Lord Norfield. Even though she felt nothing for him, she had to marry him.

For her family.

“If you will excuse me. I need to take care of something,” she told them and bolted to the double doors.

“Finally, I can breathe,” she muttered under her breath as she stepped out of the doors and into the cool night air.

The night breeze kissed her skin, easing her nerves. Even the bodice of her dress, which she’d been worried was too tight, suddenly felt a little loose. Had she known she would feel such relief, she would have snuck off to the garden much earlier.

She turned toward the double doors she had just come through. She could still hear the music and the chatter of the guests, although it was muffled. But all that was on her mind now was little Gina’s face.

This was one of the reasons why she had been against the match with Lord Norfield from the minute her uncle announced it. Her family—consisting of her mother and three sisters—could barely do anything without her. They needed her help and opinion on everything, and if she got married, it would be difficult for her to assist them.

Marrying the earl was the most logical thing to do in her situation, especially because there wasn’t much she could do for her family as a woman. So she accepted the match, even though she had no feelings toward the man she was to marry.

“If you were a man, we would not have to go through this. But because you are not, you need a man to lead and protect not just you, but also your sisters,” her mother had once said.

Juliana had also wished, countless times, that she were a man. Then, she would’ve inherited her father’s title, and her family would not be at the mercy of a man who had always had his sights on her father’s wealth.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This was not the time to wish and regret. She had to make do with what she was given, and she would. She just needed to take a few more breaths of fresh air.

“Didn’t you hear me?” The all too familiar voice came from the shed behind her.

Curious, Juliana moved closer to the shed, using the darkness of the night and an overgrown ivy branch to shield herself.

Her suspicions were confirmed when she spotted the man standing beside the shed.

It was her betrothed, Geoffrey Stilton, the Earl of Norfield. He didn’t seem to be alone. Another tall figure stood beside him, wearing a long coat and a hat on his head that covered his face. But that wasn’t the most surprising part to Juliana.

Her calm and collected betrothed seemed…furious if his body language was anything to go by. He seemed agitated, running his fingers through his hair multiple times and even pulling on it, all in a few seconds.

Geoffrey stepped closer to the man, as though intending to intimidate him, then she heard him say the words, loud and clear.

“I told you. This. Ends. Tonight.”

The mysterious man bowed his head, and in the blink of an eye, their interaction came to an end.

Both men looked around them stealthily, perhaps to ensure they weren’t or wouldn’t be seen by anyone. Thinking the coast was clear, Geoffrey began to walk, leaving the man behind.

The problem, however, was that he was walking in her direction. In the direction of the double doors.

Juliana quietly moved away from the ivy branch, but not before seeing the anger on Geoffrey’s face morph into a demure smile—the one she was used to, the one that made him seem incapable of furrowing his brow.

Panicking, she moved quickly, rushing into the ballroom before she was caught.

She had been certain that marriage to Geoffrey would be nothing short of a piece of cake. He seemed nice and was very generous to her and her family. She had thought that in the month they had to get to know each other, she had figured him out. She had thought she knew him, but now she could see that she didn’t.

The man she was to marry was a man of double faces. Or multiple faces, for all she knew. She wasn’t sure, but she intended to find out, for it was too late to back out of their engagement.

Luckily, as she entered the ballroom, she caught Georgina’s eyes. She marched toward her instantly, holding out her hand for the pin her little sister needed help with. Her aim was to seem as natural as possible.

“Sorry about that, Gina,” she offered. “I simply needed some air, that’s all.”

“It’s all right, Julie.” Georgina gave her a smile that would have ordinarily made all her worry melt away.

But not tonight.

Geoffrey entered the ballroom just as Juliana began fixing the pin in her sister’s hair. He caught her eye, and a smile spread across his face, showing off a dimple that made him seem totally…harmless.

“My Lady,” he greeted as he approached her, his smile unwavering as he closed the distance between them in two long strides.

No one would ever believe that he was the same man who had been stewing in barely contained anger just seconds ago. Even Juliana, who had witnessed it, could hardly believe it.

“My Lord.” She straightened and plastered on her practiced smile, her hands resting on Georgina’s shoulders. “Where have you been?”

She was not sure what had compelled her to ask, but it was not as though she could take the question back, so she awaited his response.

At first, Geoffrey seemed slightly uncomfortable at the question, but his discomfort disappeared as quickly as it came.

Instead, his smile widened as he leaned toward her and replied, “I went out for a smoke. I hope that’s all right with you, my dear. It is my only vice, and I assure you that you won’t ever smell the tobacco on me.”

“I see.” Juliana nodded, swallowing her thoughts as she watched him.

She wasn’t sure what to make of his lie, and it only made her more curious.

“I heard that.” Georgina’s small voice interrupted Juliana’s thoughts, coaxing an amused laugh from Geoffrey.

“Did you, now?” Geoffrey crouched down and took Georgina’s hands in his.

She laughed, her face instantly turning crimson as she tried to hide her smile behind her shoulder.

Under normal circumstances, Juliana would have smiled at the interaction. Now, her instinct screamed at her to pull Geoffrey as far away from her sister as possible.

“There you both are!” the dowager countess called, her smile extending to Ava and Juliana’s other sister, Emily.

Emily was four years younger than Ava. She had just entered adolescence, and yet she resembled their mother the most—along with Ava. Their long, golden hair gleamed in the candlelight like the most joyous summer day.

“I am also here, Mama,” Georgina pointed out, making her presence known.

Lady Ridgewell laughed. “I can see you, darling. However, tonight is not about you, but about your sister and the fine gentleman beside her.”

Geoffrey chuckled. “You flatter me, Lady Ridgewell,” he said, a hand placed over his heart.

Lady Ridgewell tutted in mock disapproval. “I believe we have been through this, My Lord. We are to be family soon—you do not have to be so formal,” she said, and he smiled.

“But you cannot deny that it is a little inappropriate for him to call you ‘Mother’ so soon, Mama,” Ava chimed in. Emily nodded in agreement.

“I also cannot deny that ‘Lady Ridgewell’ is quite formal, indeed,” Geoffrey argued, his voice light and airy.

The family laughed.

Though charming as he was, Juliana could not tear her eyes away from him. Not in admiration of his handsome face, but in awe of his skills.

How could one man possess such talent?

“Forgive me, but I must excuse myself. There is something I must attend to. Enjoy the rest of the evening, ladies.” Geoffrey’s voice pulled Juliana out of her thoughts.

Her sisters waved at him, but all Juliana could do was watch.

“What is on your mind, my dear?” Lady Ridgewell asked, her fair eyebrows slightly knitted.

Juliana blinked a couple of times before turning her gaze to her mother. “Nothing, Mama.”

But the dowager countess was not having it. “Juliana, is something wrong? I hope you’re not having those silly thoughts again.”

Juliana knew that voice all too well. It was the voice her mother used shortly before spiraling into sheer panic. With all the guests around, the last thing she needed was for her mother to cause a scene.

“No, Mama,” she said more firmly, a practiced smile on her face. “Everything is perfect. I think now is the best time to relay our gratitude to Uncle Francis for this engagement ball, don’t you think?”

The dowager countess nodded.

Just as they were about to move further toward the ballroom, Lady Portia Sowden, Juliana’s longtime friend, appeared beside them.

“Lady Portia!” Georgina squealed in delight.

“Good evening, ladies. How wonderful to see you all again,” Portia greeted, then snaked her arm around Juliana’s, a wide smile on her small face. “Lady Ridgewell, allow me to steal my friend away for a moment.”

Her eyes never left the older woman until she finally agreed.

“I shall speak to your uncle myself. Come, girls.”

Juliana’s sisters wasted no time in following after the dowager countess, leaving the two ladies alone.

“Your eyes have never begged to be saved so desperately, my dear friend,” Portia said with a dramatic sigh.

Juliana giggled. “I appreciate your help. I was under the impression that I would not be saved, seeing as my supposed knight in shining armor left me to deal with something far more important.”

She didn’t mean to complain. The ball was far better than she had ever imagined, and Geoffrey played his role perfectly, but she could not ignore the uneasiness tightening around her chest like a barbed rope, piercing into her.

Portia’s snort brought Juliana back to reality.

“Instead of a knight in shining armor, would you settle for a knight in a silk dress?” she joked.

Juliana laughed genuinely for the first time that night. “You know I have no qualms about settling for you, my friend.”

“Of course you do. I am a joy to be around,” Portia quipped, then lowered her voice. “I do not know what you see in that man, Julie. You ought to have agreed to a better match.”

Juliana sighed. “We have been through this before, dear.”

“Come now, indulge me a little.” Portia frowned, pulling her along as they began walking. “Look over there. Lord Bradford remains as regal and upright as a horse. Dare I say it, his face alone is a blessing from the heavens.”

Juliana sucked in a sharp breath, amazed by her friend’s bluntness. “It is improper to say a thing like that, Portia!”

“And yet it is the truth. The vicar always preaches about telling the truth, Julie. Must we not follow the words of a man of God?”

Juliana opened her mouth to respond. However, Portia was not done. If anything, she had only begun.

“And over there.” She pointed to a group of gentlemen gathered around another table. “Lord Severington’s face may not be a blessing from the heavens, but I hear he is skilled in many things. He also has fine manners, unlike your earl.”

Juliana had been convinced that her friend despised her betrothed since she broke the news of their match a month ago. However, she never knew the severity of it until now.

“It is not too late to find yourself a gentleman with a personality, Julie. Your betrothed simply lacks substance, and I would only keep this truth from you if I loathed you.”

“I understand you—” Juliana broke off when masked men carrying weapons suddenly stormed into the ballroom.

“Silence!” one of them yelled.

The once joyful event turned chaotic as guests shouted and scrambled around, desperate to find shelter from the intruders.

Before Juliana could realize it, Portia had been yanked away from her as the crowd rushed past them.

“Where is Lord Norfield?” one of the men yelled, his voice as thick as terror, sending shivers down Juliana’s spine.

What did these men want with her betrothed?

Her stomach sank as fear swept through her body.

What trouble had Geoffrey found himself in?

“Where is Lord Norfield?” the masked man repeated in that same ominous voice.

But no one was brave enough to respond.

Out of the corner of her eye, Juliana spotted him. Geoffrey was right next to the doors that led to the garden.

He looked right at her, his eyes devoid of emotion.

Surely, he isn’t going to ? —

In the blink of an eye, he disappeared through the doors and into the night.

Juliana could hardly believe her eyes. Geoffrey had managed to escape, leaving innocent people in the danger he could have prevented.

I have to find him .

She scanned the ballroom. There were about eight masked men, all dressed in dark clothes so simple they might have as well been rags.

The men searched through the crowd, shoving ladies aside as they looked for the man they had come for.

“Come out, Lord Norfield!” the masked man shouted.

An idea came to Juliana’s mind.

She was not far from the double doors. Since the attackers were so busy searching through the crowd, she could make a run for it without getting caught.

Her heart pounded uncontrollably at the simple thought of executing her idea, but she knew it was the only way she could find Geoffrey. To better understand the situation. To understand what they wanted from him.

Juliana rose from her crouched position, her head down as she prepared herself to make a run for it. However, before she could move an inch, a huge and tall body suddenly appeared before her like a boulder, blocking her path and grabbing her arm with a force that jolted her heart.

She looked up at him, a quiet gasp escaping her lips, but he barely gave her enough time to take in his facial features.

“You’re coming with me,” he said firmly, and before she could protest, he dragged her out of the ballroom amidst the chaos.