AR

d from the woods, a sharp pain ran down my spine. My breathing grew shallow, and a wave of dizziness washed over me.

my ears as panic sei

now that I was not alone. He took a step forward, but I quickly stepped in his path,

ispered urgently, my voic

anyone other than my mother. And so, without another

tanding ther

ar

that name from? Why was it the first thing to escape my lips when I heard that scre

d my heart

he pain in my leg was a dull throb now, almost distant compared to the t

e sh

th

ng under the golden chandelier light. The moment her sharp eyes found m

verywhere for you. I was so worried!" Her voice wa

so much? How could she stand there and ac

emotions. But compared to her, I was nothing. Her entire life was a carefully crafted perfor

ld tell her everything I knew. I co

new would only make her more cautious. No I needed

layed m

in private. I got lost in the woods and... I was attacked. I ran,

r help? Or take one of the maids with you? You had us all worried, my dear. After ev

toni

fter everything I felt in those woods, I

e alone. Please. After everything today, I

, Melody. If you insist. I'll send Nanny Chopper to your chamb

smile. "T

ay, I noticed

unt Grace?

econd so quick that if I hadn't been p

some matters," s

li

hausted to p

p toward my chambers, Moth

lod

lowly. "Ye

icked something off

e of f

piece of

asked, voice unnervingly calm

art s

re? If she examined it closely, she would know. She would know

d think of a

t. "You found her! We've looked everyw

a breath I hadn't r

race w

nknowingl

ng over me. Where had she been

the energy t

d and hurried to my chambers befor

as grim, his expression unreadable. From the look i

lief coursed

e, what would he do? Would he report

ugh of the

talking about Father.

was him.

y hands. The one who shielded me from

ger. A

a piece of himself

me, and the thought of that

. A real date. Walking hand in hand with him, under the moonlight. W

the thou

k on the doo

ease just leave the food on th

le

ing wa

e and stepped ou

stood by

are you doing here?

"But I have a message for

my eyes. "W

nless. "Dynasty Hall.

n through me. "Who

"You'll find o

nother word, he

oors and bolte

No... Mr. Darcy would never

n w

d at me, keeping s