Page 79 of Taken By the Beastly Duke

The view that greeted her was wild and untamed, familiar woods that surrounded the lodge stretching out endlessly.

With no sign of any other house nearby, no indication of how far she might be from civilization.

No sign of anyone looking for her.

"Ugh, my head," she murmured as she closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against the cool glass to ease the pain.

She had to remain calm.

Panicking would do her no good.

She was sure there was a reasonable explanation for whatever had happened.

This was Theodore's place.

So she just needed to find him to find the answers.

And that meant he could not remain here, in this state of confusion.

A sudden, soft knock at the door startled her enough to make her jump, bringing her out from her thoughts. She turned quickly, her heart racing in her chest as she watched the door creak open to reveal a servant carrying a tray.

"Good morning, my lady," the woman said with a curtsy, her voice quiet and respectful. "His lordship said you would be in need of some breakfast."

Victoria blinked, her confusion deepening. "The lordship... Theodore?"

The servant nodded, her expression calm and respectful. "Yes, my lady. He also asked me to ensure that you were comfortable."

Victoria swallowed hard, allowing her to breathe a little better

So, it was Theodore who had brought her here, then.

But why?

Why not to her home?

What would make him bring her to a place so far removed from where she should have been?

Her castle.

She watched as the servant placed the tray on a small table near the bed, her mind racing and once the servant had left, she squared her shoulders, smoothing her gown—a plain, soft cotton nightdress ill-suited to the chill of the morning air and with quick, determined steps, she made her way out of the room.

She would find Theodore, and he would explain this madness and everything will make sense.

And then she will be on her way home.

The lodge was unusually quiet with only the faint sound of the crackling fire from her room accompanying her as she ventured down the hallway, the floorboards creaking beneath her feet.

Thanks to muscle memory, she was able.to map her way and turned a corner that led toward the study, a room she remembered from her previous visits.

As the new lord, Theodore would have to be spending his mornings there, reviewing correspondence or preparing for the day's hunt and so it made sense that she would head over there.

She balled her hands into fists as she neared the door, her heart beating with the angers that had begun to grow in her chest.

Yes, she was angry, frightened, confused -all at once- and for his sake she hoped he had a good enough reason to explain this… kidnap

Without bothering to knock, she pushed open the door to the study, the hinges groaning slightly as the door gave way to reveal the dimly lit room thanks to the pale morning light that was streaming in through the tall windows.

And at the far end, close to the windows, seated comfortably in a high-backed leather chair, was Theodore.

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