The maid apologized as she was reprimanded but Alexander’s attention was elsewhere. Outside the room, he heard a muffled cry echo down the hallway. His head snapped toward the sound.
“What was that?”
Lord Dowell didn’t even flinch. “Our family cat.”
Another cry was heard. Louder, and unmistakably human, followed by a pounding sound.
Alexander turned as their maid passed him.
“Thank you,” he whispered so only she could hear.
She met his eyes for a brief moment and Alexander noticed a troubled, pleading look in her eyes before she dipped her head and hurried out.
The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Alexander moved. He crossed the room in three strides, grabbed Lord Dowell by the collar, and lifted him off the ground as though he weighed nothing.
“What the bloody hell do you think you are doing?” the old man yelled.
“Tell me where she is,” Alexander growled. “Tell me where Theodora is locked up.Now.”
Lord Dowell’s face went pale. “Put me down this instant!”
“Not until you answer me.”
“I— I will show you,” Lord Dowell stammered. “Just— put me down!”
Alexander dropped him and he stumbled inelegantly to his feet. Lord Dowell straightened his coat with shaking hands and hurried towards the door, gesturing frantically for Alexander to follow.
They moved through the house, past portraits, and polished floors, until they reached a narrow hallway. As they approacheda closed door, Alexander heard Theodora’s voice, strained and desperate, trying to force the door open.
“Unlock it,” Alexander demanded.
Lord Dowell fumbled with the key, hands trembling so badly he nearly dropped it. When he finally pushed the key in and the lock clicked, Alexander shoved the door open.
Theodora yelped and stumbled forward, straight into him. She collided with his hard chest and clutched at his coat like she might fall if she didn’t hold on to him.
Alexander breathed in her floral scent deeply as if his last breath depended on it. He wrapped his arms around her instinctively, pulling her close, and steadying her while she cried.
“You came,” she said breathlessly.
He felt her shaking with relief and something inside him snapped.
Behind them, Lord Dowell cleared his throat. “Now that you have seen the situation for yourself, Your Grace, we must discuss the matter properly.”
Alexander turned his head slowly, still holding Theodora protectively against him.
Lord Dowell straightened his shoulders, trying, and failing, to regain authority. “Since you have defiled my daughter with your wily ways,Scarlet Duke,you must marry her.”
CHAPTER 26
Theodora gently pulled away from Alexander. She wiped her face with trembling fingers and tried to look at the Duke who came to save her, but her vision was blurred with tears. Theodora noticed him reaching out for her hand. Her heart stilled. He opened her palm and she felt a soft piece of material land in it.
A handkerchief.
“Thank you,” she stuttered.
She needed to think and gather herself. She was not prepared to marry Alexander, not like this, and definitely not as a punishment. She despised that this had become a sort of transaction between two men. But, in all honesty, if the alternative was a convent, she knew which fate she preferred.
“Well, what say you, Your Grace?” Lord Dowell asked Alexander expectantly.
