Page 23 of Discovering the Duke

She needed to go to William, to get the entire story from him. To know for certain.

A deep, terrible groan came from beneath her feet. Confusion caught her for only a moment and then the terrifying understanding dawned. She had wandered onto the frozen lake.

She spun around to turn in the other direction, when the ice beneath groaned again, and gave a splintering crack.

William held Lord Venerton’s wiry frame back with one arm. The elderly man swung feebly at William, each blow too far away to land.

“I have never had anything to do with your wife, Venerton,” William growled. “See to your wife and leave me be.”

Lord Venerton regarded his wife.

“I’ve never struck a woman.” William glared at Lady Venerton, who staggered drunkenly and regarded them both with a smug, bleary smile. “And I won’t start today,” William continued. “But I’ve never been more tempted.”

With that, he raced down the stairs where Julia had gone. Was she in the library? The drawing room perhaps?

Hesterton waved at him. “I believe your wife has lost her mind.”

William grabbed the marquis by the shoulders. “Where is she?”

“Outside, wandering about on the frozen lake.” Hesterton frowned. “I tried to tell her—”

Whatever the man said, William didn’t hear. He was already flying out the door to find Julia. The icy air slammed into him and seared his lungs. He searched the moonlit snow until he settled on a figure in the distance. Directly on the lake.

He ran to her, faster than he’d ever run before, and bellowed her name. The figure didn’t move.

“William, don’t come here.” A note pitched Julia’s voice and tugged at his heart.

She didn’t want to see him. But he didn’t give a damn. First, he would get her off the ice, then he would demand she listen, then—

A crack shattered the silence followed by a startled scream.

William did not hesitate. Not like he had when the house had caught fire and his parents had died. No, this time he lurched forward.

He lowered himself to his chest on the snow-covered ice and called for her to do the same. Another crack came at the same time he spoke, this one longer and louder than before. The sound increased with such ferocity, his head snapped up. No sooner had he done so, Julia fell through the ice with a splash, her scream cut short.

William shoved forward so hard, he glided over the ice to where the hole showed like ink against the white of the snow. Her slender arms gripped the jagged edge. He grabbed her forearms and yanked up with all the strength he’d ever possessed. She flew out of the water and landed at his side, sputtering and blinking.

The ice splintered around them.

“Keep on your stomach and scoot.” He held her hand tightly in his.

She did as he instructed, her movements stiff and jerking. They edged away from the broken ice, but still he did not relax.

Julia slowed, and the puffs of her breath came heavier. She was tiring. William held her hand tighter and pulled her with him in an attempt to ease her efforts.

“I didn’t do it,” he gritted from between his teeth.

“I know.” Her voice was weak.

She was fading. He could lose her still. The shore was still a fair distance away. He gripped her to his side, holding her in his arms as he dragged them both.

“We’re nearly there,” he said by way of encouragement.

The ice snapped somewhere in the distance, a savage beast nipping at their heels. By God, he would get them out of this.

“I’m sorry.” Julia gave a violent shiver. “I shouldn’t have run off.”

They reached the shore. Finally.