“Oh gosh! Yes, of course!”
Finally he is taking me outside to the gardens. The cool night air is refreshing. It’s surprisingly mild for October. There are a few other people dotted around, talking in small groups and enjoying either the fresh air or a cigarette. Perfect. I need witnesses.
I bend over and groan dramatically. “Oh, I’m going to be sick!”
Rakeswell grip on my arm tightens even more.
“Please take me over there!” I gasp. Waving a hand weakly at the entrance of the hedge maze. “I don’t want anyone to see me being sick!”
I stare at him imploringly, in desperation. I’m sweating with nerves, hopefully it’s just convincing him that I really am sick.
He springs into motion, half dragging, half carrying me to the maze. As we step inside, I whimper and make a gross retching noise. He stops. I bend over some more. We are a little further into the maze than I would have liked, but I think mother and her friends will still be able to see us when they stroll past in a moment.
“What’s wrong with him?”
The voice makes me whip my head round. Sothbridge is strolling out of the depths of the maze. His shirt and tie are all undone and he has a vape hanging from the corner of his mouth. With his hands shoved in his pockets, he looks the very picture of nonchalant arrogance.
“He is sick!” exclaims Rakeswell, sounding near hysterical with concern.
What a sweetheart. I’ve chosen well. He is going to be an excellent husband.
“Help him, while I fetch him some water!”
Wait! What? No! I stare in horror at the sight of Rakeswell running at full speed out the maze. Damn that man is fast. I didn’t have a chance to say a word.
My gaze flicks to Sothbridge. He frowns and gives me a very suspicious look. My heart is not beating, it’s thrumming. I open my mouth to say something.
“Oh my goodness!” shrieks mother at the top of her lungs.
She has managed to bring a whole frigging retinue over. The ladies all start squealing and shrieking in shock at the sight of me alone in the maze with Duke… Sothbridge. It was meant to be Rakeswell. It was supposed to be Rakeswell.
My horrified gaze snaps back to Sothbridge. His disheveled state would have been perfect if he was the right duke. He has clearly been having fun with someone.
Sothbridge’s face fills with icy fury.
“You little bastard!” he snarls.
I swallow. I think I might actually be sick now. In front of everyone. I can’t bear to look, but it sounds like everyone in the world has rushed over to see what all the commotion is about.
Oh no! I’m still bending over! Hastily I straighten up but it’s far, far too late.
My life is over.
Chapter two
Fatherissittinginhis chair dabbing at his eyes with a red spotted handkerchief. Mother is standing behind him, one hand squeezing his shoulder reassuringly.
Father’s study should be a familiar, comforting space, but the world has changed. Nothing is the same. Nothing will ever be the same again.
I was discovered alone, in a dark maze with Duke Sothbridge. It was hours ago now, it must be. It is a three-hour journey between Humberland House, where the ball was, and home. But I think I’m still in shock because it feels like no time has passed at all. I can’t remember a thing about the drive back.
“What are we going to do,” sobs Father.
“Shh,” says Mother. “It’s going to be fine, Sothbridge will propose. He has to.”
“He won’t!”
“Of course he will, all that nasty business with Lord Garrington’s Vessel on the balcony? His reputation has already taken a hit, he cannot weather another one.”
