Page 12 of Keeper of Secrets

“Ryker Helmsworth.You will do your duty?—”

“Mildred,” He cut off his aunt.“You might think that you can dictate my choices but?—”

“Oh not me,” Mildred’s voice had grown deadly calm in a way Chloe had never heard before.Not even last night.“But my cousin… the king of this country, I think he might have a thing or two to say to you about your future.”

Ryker’s arms about her stiffened, his jaw growing so taut, he looked as though he could chew nails.Chloe didn’t think… she just reached up a hand and touched his jaw, her fingers sliding over the stubble already beginning to roughen his skin.

He looked down at her then, his teeth audibly gnashing together.“You’re awake.”

“I…” She dropped her hand again, realizing the touch was likely not appropriate.“I am.”

“Are you all right?”He searched her face, one hand coming to her neck and settling over her pulse.

“I’m fine, I’m certain.I was just surprised that you were… you.”Did that even make sense?“I’m not normally prone to fainting.”In addition to recognizing the man who’d kissed her last night, the lack of sleep, coupled with the shock and the strain of the last several months, hadn’t helped.“I’m sorry.”

She wasn’t certain what she apologized for.Her weakness or the situation in which he found himself.

Her gaze shifted to Mildred, who stood straight and tall a few feet away, her arms crossed over her chest.

Mildred was a force of good, but the woman was… a force.

“You’re not the first fainting woman I’ve caught.”

“But she is your last,” Mildred replied for her, her chin notching up.

He spun with Chloe in his arms, striding out the door without answering his aunt.Chloe nearly asked where they were going, or what was happening, but his arms were like iron bands and his face was hard and angry.So she kept silent.

He entered a sitting room, crossing over to a settee before setting her down.She half expected him to dump her on the furniture like dead weight, but he was slow and gentle as he lowered her to the ridiculously soft cushions.

The moment he rose, Chloe caught sight of Mildred entering the room.“Mildred,” she started her plea.

She had no interest in forcing the duke to do anything.A small dowry was all she hoped for, and even that felt like a decadent favor.If no one knew who’d kissed her, there was no harm.Was there?

She’d always known when to push and when to leave something be, and in this moment, he did not seem like a man to force.

“Quiet, dear.”Mildred stared at her nephew with hard eyes.

“Mildred,” he rumbled, saying the exact same name but sounding completely different from Chloe.

He sounded irritated.Dangerous.In command.

Mildred didn’t bat an eye.“Ryker.”

“You are not forcing me?—”

“I am.You are one and thirty and show no signs of changing your ways.”

He let out a sound that reminded Chloe of a snarl.

“If I involve the king, everyone will know of the scandal, which is why…”

“Fuck me,” he spit.

Chloe half jumped, sitting up.“It’s all right.We don’t even know anyone saw… there is no need.”

“Chloe,” Mildred bit out.“Do not speak again.”

She snapped her mouth shut, pressing her lips tightly.

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