PROLOGUE
LOCKED
“Dearest wife, where are you?”
The challenge slipped and echoed through the twilight of the empty hallway – promises held within its husky tone.
Hebe’s heart thrashed against her ribs, fingers clutched in her wedding skirts of silk.
A fob watch case clicked shut. “Wait for me, Wife.”
Such dominant demand halted her breath. He would find her and then…and then…
She tentatively peered around the bedchamber door.
No lanterns lit the way. No shadows shifted.
So, with soft tread, she crept forward, hands clasping the dado rail for sight.
And then she twisted.
Twisted and ran.
Through the pitch darkness, chill air stripping her lungs of breath.
Faint streaks of light at the end of the hall beckoned and her slippered feet blundered onwards, fingers stretched forth to drive the blackness asunder.
Still she ran.
A door met her touch and she shoved it wide, pulse hammering, vision flooding – bright and so beautiful.
Here she could hide…
A haven.
Spinning, Hebe slammed the door upon the infernal dark, bathed as she was in such golden warmth.
Firm arms abruptly encircled her waist from behind, the scent of spiced cologne, that husky tenor rasping its joy. “Hebe, my bride. I have you at last.”
Within his steadfast embrace, she wove to a handsome leaf-green gaze dancing in delight, a sensual mouth curving in pleasure, his hair a halo of gold.
She parted her lips…
And screamed and screamed and screame–
“Hebe! Hebe, my dear. Wake up!”
Gasping, she unlocked her eyes – fled the darkness.
Dim candlelight. Tender fingers. Lavender water.
“Aunt…” Her voice rasped.
“Yes, my dearest Hebe. I’m here.”
She plunged into those harbouring arms, throat so raw. “I…I’m so sorry, Aunt…to wake you again.”
A slender hand pushed the tousled locks from Hebe’s dry and tearless eyes.
