His pulse quickened.
Alexander pushed aside the other letters and reached for it. He tore the envelope open to find a single sheet of paper, folded once. He unfolded it hastily with steady hands.
It was unmistakably fromher.
Alexander,
You must forgive the delay in my response. Circumstances have changed rapidly here at Dowell House. I am forbidden to communicate with anyone outside of the home. Even now, I am limited to writing this letter. So, I will get to the point.
After our last meeting, I took your advice and told my mother the truth about my father. I confessed all of it because you were right, she deserved the truth. I believe I owed her that much. Unfortunately, my confession resulted in a severe confrontation between my parents.
My father is displeased, to say the least. He has forbidden us from leaving the house. I am not permitted visitors, correspondence, and anything beyond the walls of my room. I am in the company of my mother, who is equally distressed.
Please send my regards to Lady Rosalind. She was a wonderful companion, and I am grateful for the time I spent with her. I am certain she will continue to thrive without my assistance.
Thank you for agreeing to be a subject in my experiment. I know it was an unusual request, and I appreciate your patience and cooperation. I wish you success in your life for only God knows when I will see you again. Sadly, I am a prisoner in my own home, and I do not know when or if I will be allowed out again. This will be my last letter.
It was… unexpectedly enjoyable getting to know the Scarlet Duke.
Goodbye, Your Grace.
Theodora Dowell
Alexander stared at the letter before he read it again. And again. The words struck harder each time. He stood abruptly, still holding the letter in his trembling hand.
“Mr. Carson!” he shouted.
The butler appeared almost instantly with a startled expression. “Your Grace?”
“Have the carriage prepared. Immediately.” Alexander barked the order.
Carson bowed. “At once, Your Grace.”
Alexander strode to the coat rack, grabbed his travel coat, and shrugging it on. His breath came fast and uneven. He did not know what he was going to do or say when he arrived at Dowell House. He only knew that he had to go to her immediately.
He walked towards the foyer and waited there for the carriage to arrive. Alexander felt as though he was preparing for the biggest fight of his life. All of his thoughts tangled together and became impossible to separate.
She is a prisoner in her own home. Locked away by her own father.
He clenched his fists.
He had not known Theodora for long, but he knew her well, and the idea of her trapped, frightened, and alone, made anger twist painfully inside of him.
All this time she had been fighting for her freedom while he had been waiting for a response from her.
“Your Grace,” Mr. Carson called from the doorway and snapped him back to reality. “The carriage is ready.”
Alexander didn’t wait for the rest. He strode past him, down the steps, and into the night air. The driver opened the door, and Alexander climbed inside.
“Dowell House,” he said, voice low and firm. “As fast as the horses can manage.”
The driver nodded, snapped the reins, and the carriage lurched forward.
CHAPTER 25
Theodora stood looking out of the tall library window. Her pale fingers pressed lightly against the cold glass and left an imprint there. The Dowell estate grounds stretched before her in muted winter colors that seemed to match her morbid thoughts. She had been staring at their drive for hours, willing a familiar carriage to appear.
Alexander is leaving today.
