“Yes, my lord.I should have thought you would like your privacy.”
“I do.”Seemingly unaware that he was still shirtless, he took a step toward Fidelia.“Is that why you brought guests here?To my sanctuary?”
“Night Sky—”
“—is not for sale.Not for stud.Not for anything.Not now.Not ever.They wouldn’t let me,” he muttered almost indiscernibly.“Not even for a duke.”He cast a wry glance at Soren before turning his attention back to his wife.“You must have forgotten that I told you that.”
“I must have,” Fidelia murmured.“It won’t happen again.”
“Enough.”Soren stepped between them.
Bart scoffed.“What is this?”But when Soren didn’t move, he narrowed his gaze at Fidelia and lunged toward her.“Who is he?Your protector?”he spat out.“Have you been whoring yourself behind my back?You harlot.I’ve always known you were a strumpet.”
“Enough!”Soren bellowed, his hand on Bart’s chest now.
“Don’t tell me what to do.She’s my wife.”He angled again in another attempt to reach his wife.
“I don’t care if she’s your bloody right leg, you won’t treat her like this.”Without looking at her, he commanded, “Fidelia will be coming back with us to visit her sisters.”
“Like hell she will—”
“I’m staying here with my husband.”The hoarse voice that contradicted Soren had him whipping his head around.
“I’m fine here.My husband is just upset.Rightly so.I should have asked to come to the stables.”Her voice was weak but growing stronger with each nonsensical word.“Shall we return to the house for tea?”
For the first time in a long while, Pru spoke up, “Would you like to have some tea, sister?”
“I should love a good cup of warm tea.”
In actions of utter madness, Soren watched as Pru took Fidelia’s arm in hers and they strolled out of the stables.
“Next time mind your own business, duke,” Bart sneered.
“There won’t be a next time, Bart.I’ll end you before that ever happens.”And he didn’t watch for Bart’s reaction as he left the stables to follow Pru.
The tortured march back to the house filled him with dread.He needed to reach Pru.Understand what she was feeling.Reassure her that he’d do whatever he could to protect her sister.Originally, he had planned to visit Fidelia with one purpose in mind, but the plan had changed.Which was putting it lightly.The plan had actually twisted on its head, done a dance he’d never witnessed before, and then sprawled out in an entirely new posture.
Emotions rallied for purchase in his heart.Thoughts scattered across his mind.Questions without answers stomped around, waving their limbs to distract him from his goal.
One goal.
Pru.
Chapter 18
Pru
Therewerenowords,just one blaring question in her head.Like a bell tolling in her mind, over and over.Like it was noon, indefinitely.Twelve clangs.Then twelve more.Over and over again.But she certainly did not want to voice it.It could do no good.
It bubbled out of her mouth regardless.“How could he do that?”
And as much as she hadn’t meant to ask it, she more certainly hadn’t intended for Fidelia to answer it, considering what must be her sister’s state of shock, given her numb movements, glassy eyes, and taut mouth.
“He’s a rake, Pru.That’s what rake’s do.”
Gah.
It was like she had run into a tree.Pru stopped walking.Stopped breathing.Stopped feeling or hearing anything.Only her heart.
