Page 71 of A Night of Passion with the Duke

She didn’t have a plan even if she somehow managed to escape, but she wanted to try. Even if she had to hide in the woods, surely someone would pass by eventually.

The cart jostled again, throwing her back. The knife flew out of her hands, landing at Joana’s feet.

Joana picked up the knife laughing. “See what I said?” She inched closer to Arabella and loomed over her. “You’re absolutely stupid. What did you think you’d be able to do? Escape?”

Arabella didn’t see the slap coming but felt the blow, the force of it throwing her head to the side. Her cheek throbbed, and her vision turned blurry.

“Don’t ever do that again, Arabella. I’d hate to hurt you. I won’t be able to sell you at a good price then.” Joana laughed maniacally, pressing the knife to Arabella’s throat. “Even if you managed to escape and run off, where would you go? Into these woods? You’ll be dead by nightfall. A barely recognizable corpse once the animals are done with you. I’ll hate to have poor Edward mourning over you too long. That’s why I planted the letter telling him you’d left him, so he can hate you enough to forget you. Guess who’ll be there to comfort him through the whole ordeal?”

Arabella didn’t answer. She didn’t even dare swallow. Not with the knife still pointed at her throat.

Joana laughed again, pulling back from her. “You’re lucky I’m feeling gracious.” She checked her reflection in the blade. “I packed your things and added some money for you to live on for a time. I even paid these two in advance to take you halfway. When that point comes… well, we’ll see just how they would like their payment. You seem to be good at sharing your favors. Perhaps you’d suffice.”

The men looked back at Arabella, flashing their yellow teeth, and she shivered, trying to suppress a shiver of disgust.

“We’ll take good care of yer friend, Miss.” One of them laughed.

“Aye.” The other grinned, slapping his friend’s shoulder. “We’ll make her scream so good that she’ll forget her husband.”

“You wanted to experience a night of passion. Now you’ll have more than enough to keep you warm this winter.” Joana laughed. “And if you’re good, they might keep you and not sell you to the nearest brothel.”

Icy dread ran down Arabella’s spine as she realized that these men looked like they meant what they said. She drew her knees to her chest and buried her face in them as she sniffled, sending a silent prayer.

Oh, Edward. Please come find me.

Joana had told her that she’d written a letter telling Edward how she was leaving him. What were the odds he’d believe it?

Arabella looked out at the greenery around them as it turned sinister with the waning light, nature seeming to reflect her mood. She wanted to cry at the fact that even her family would think her a deserter.

Oh, the shame Leonard would feel when he was finally informed. And Sarah. And Madeline.

A tear rolled down her cheek, and then two, and then she was fully crying, her knees muffling her sobs.

How could her life have turned out so miserable?

She had barely even had a taste of marital bliss before it had been snatched away from her, and now she’d never get to experience it if Joana had her way.

Oh, Edward. Would he hurt much?

To think she’d just confessed her feelings for him. He would think her a liar and probably hate her for treating him the way she had.

Please. Help him find me.

ChapterEighteen

Edward stopped outside Arabella’s door, his heart pounding as he prepared himself to admit what he felt to her. He had tried to come up with an argument he’d use if she indeed wanted to leave but had failed.

He shook his head, steeling his resolve.

He had to try if at all. Arabella wasn’t the type to hide her feelings, and if she still decided to leave, then he’d give her what she wanted.

He knocked on the door and waited for an answer, but when he didn’t get one after a long minute, he opened the door. He stepped into her room, which smelled of the lavender essence that haunted his dreams, and looked around for her.

Her vanity was lined with her essentials, and the bed looked undisturbed, as if she hadn’t even slept in it. Perhaps she hadn’t even come upstairs yet, but that would be odd, considering she’d been with Joana, who had obviously gone downstairs for dinner and then retired to her chamber.

He moved to leave the room but paused upon spotting an envelope on her bed, still sealed. His curiosity was piqued.

He broke the seal and opened the letter, his frown deepening. It was a letter from Arabella to him.

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