Page 70 of A Night of Passion with the Duke

Arabella shivered, knowing full well that it was possible.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked, in case anyone was around to help her.

“It’s a surprise.” Joana smiled. “But I’m going to make sure you never come back to my castle again.”

“Why are you doing this?” Arabella cried. “You could have told me you loved him.”

“And then what?” Joana asked. “You’d have left him for me? Cry? You have no idea how much you sicken me. How much I have hated you. How tired I’ve been of your excessive whining about Edward, when you could have simply just left.”

“I—”

“I do not want your cast-offs. He was mine from the beginning, and I’m going to make sure I get rid of you for good.”

They stepped into the back garden now and were fast approaching the small gate leading outside the castle. The men seemed to know where they were going, and Arabella wondered how they knew their way around so well. It almost seemed like they’d visited several times and mapped out the entire place. She even wondered how Joana knew them. They looked like cutthroats and thieves, unlike the villagers she’d met, who seemed nice people and loved her husband.

“I mean, you wouldn’t even die. I went through so much trouble poisoning those stupid snacks you love so much, but still, you came back with your hands around my Edward.” Joana seethed. “MyEdward.”

“I don’t know what’s worse,” she continued. “The fact that he doesn’t want me or the fact he married someone as dumb as you. I mean, you were so desperate for sex that you threw yourself at a man you didn’t know. But you must have known. You must have known how powerful he is. That was why you set up that trap. Yes, that’s it. You must have known that he is rich and powerful, and you used his penchant for women to concoct your plan. But do not worry, I’ll take care of him now.”

“I did no such thing,” Arabella protested.

“Oh?” Joana quirked an eyebrow. “But where’s the proof, since you so willingly admitted it to me? That’s why you kept it from the family too, so they wouldn’t know what a whore you actually are. So that your dear mother-in-law and sister-in-law won’t shun you. Isn’t it? If you think properly about it, you should be thanking me. I’m saving you from true ruination by sending you away. Imagine how much shame you would bring upon your family if the truth comes out.”

The man tossed Arabella into the back of a cart, before helping Joana in. Arabella’s body felt bruised where she’d landed, and her feet itched where the ropes dug into them.

At least her hands were free, so she was able to sit up by herself. Joana was speaking with the men, so she looked around at the place she’d begun to think of as home. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, and in no time, night would be upon them soon. Would Edward be able to find her then?

A few moments later, they set off towards the west, she noted. She looked around, trying to memorize her location in case she was able to free herself.

Joana laughed darkly as the cart jostled them. “I can’t believe that’s exactly how you did it. That’s the oldest trick in the book. Perhaps I should have thought of that myself.”

“Joana, I promise you, I did no such?—”

“Do you think I believe you?” Joana sneered. “A lady from an impoverished family obviously looking to raise her family’s social standing? I’m surprised Edward fell into your trap so easily. He’s never been able to resist a pair of open legs, so I don’t blame him. He’s a man, after all.”

Arabella cringed at her crude words. She couldn’t believe the words were coming out of the mouth of a woman she’d started to think of as a sister.

Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall, but she attempted to blink them back.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to cry?” Joana laughed. “You’re so weak, it’s so annoying. What does he even see in you? You’re just like all the brainless, spineless debutantes he droned on about, but in your case, it’s just sad. Perhaps that’s why you resorted to such desperate means to marry.”

Arabella stayed silent, letting the acidic words roll over her. She had behaved wantonly, and that was what got her into this mess in the first place. She already knew she was to blame for their predicament.

“You know I’m right, don’t you?” Joana mocked. “That’s why you choose to keep silent. It’s all right, your secret is safe with me. They’ll probably only hate you for your desertion.”

She turned back to discuss something with the men, and Arabella noticed her grip on her knife had loosened considerably.

She weighed the option of going for the knife, but she feared getting cut in the process. And if she did get the knife, what would be next? She shook her head. Once she’d successfully disarmed Joana, she could figure the rest out.

She watched and waited, looking away from her when they turned back to look at her, and when the opportunity presented itself, she lunged at Joana, pulling the knife out of her hands. She felt a sharp pain in her hand but didn’t dwell on it.

Her hands shook as she pointed the knife at the woman and her companions.

The cart shook dangerously, and she nearly fell to the ground. The men turned back to look at them, grinning menacingly. The cart swayed again, but she managed to keep her balance. It was obvious now they were trying to make her lose her balance and fall, which made her all the more adamant about standing her ground.

“Give me the knife before you hurt yourself, Arabella,” Joana scolded, not in the least bothered by the knife pointed at her. “Or at least don’t jump off and die so foolishly. I’d hate to have to bury you here. I don’t need a whore’s blood on my hands.”

“N-no,” Arabella stuttered, her hands shaking violently.

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