Page 1 of Stolen By the Reaper

CHAPTER ONE

JOSEPHINE

The lace hung like a delicate spiderweb, shimmering under the dim light of the flickering candles. I smoothed the dress over my hips and basked in the anticipation of it all—new beginnings, love, and the promise of forever.

This was it. The day I’d dreamed of since I was a little girl playing dress-up in my mother’s pearls.

Well, not quite. But that was the nature of an elopement. The intimacy of the moment required some sacrifice, Alain had convinced me. A fancy party in a ballroom with hundreds of strangers surrounding us would only detract from what really mattered... each other.

He’d smiled at me as he said that, his hand tenderly stroking my cheek, and my objections dried up in an instant. Those dimples were just the cherry on top of Alain Braithwaite. He was everything any sane woman ever wanted in her man: wealthy, handsome, charismatic. He treated me like a treasure to cherish.

A knock sounded at the door to my dressing room. “Jo? You decent?”

“Alain!” I turned from the antique mirror, mock scandalized. “You can’t see me yet. It’s bad luck.”

His rich laughter drifted through the heavy wood. “Come on, love. Since when are you superstitious?”

Since never, truthfully. But we were marrying in a manor old enough to have a name and history andgrounds. The stones of Graywick Hall had witnessed things over the centuries that were beyond my imagining. Leaning into tradition seemed appropriate.

“Shoo!” I retorted with a grin. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Hurry up, then. I’m dying to make you Mrs. Braithwaite.”

The door clicked shut. I pressed my hands to my cheeks, willing the heat to subside. This was really happening. Eloping was crazy. Wild. A far cry from the safe, predictable life I’d always led.

No more. Today was about living life to its fullest.

I took one last look in the mirror, grabbed my bouquet, and stepped into the hallway. Alain stood waiting, devastatingly handsome in his tailored suit.

“How do I look?” I swirled, the fabric twirling around me.

“Like a treat, Jo.” He stepped closer, brushing a finger down the plunging neckline of my gown. “Absolutely delicious.”

I fought the urge to squirm. I wanted to be beautiful for him, but the dresses he suggested all revealed more than I typically preferred. But it was just us, I told myself. Why should it matter how much cleavage was showing?

Alain offered his arm and gestured toward a closed door. “Ready to face forever?”

That smile. Those dimples. Any lingering discomfort rolled right off my shoulders. “Always.”

We began our descent down the grand staircase. Graywick Hall was breathtaking, all dark wood and gleaming marble. Elegant oil paintings hung on the walls, ancient eyes looking down at us. The ceilings soared overhead, every surface filledwith ornate flourishes. Even the air smelled ancient here—rich soil, smoky fireplaces, and the earthy aroma of damp leaves.

He guided me through a pair of French doors and into the garden. It was as gorgeous as the rest of the manor, all manicured hedges and wrought iron fences. Rose petals carpeted the winding path leading toward our ceremony site. In the distance, an old fountain burbled, the sound oddly muffled.

“You’ve outdone yourself with this place,” I murmured, leaning my head against his shoulder.

“Only the best for my intended.” Alain’s fingers tightened on mine.

We rounded the corner, and my steps faltered. I didn’t understand what I was seeing. We were eloping. With no one else. No witnesses. Just us, and the officiant.

“What’s this?” I took a step back, instinctively clutching my bouquet tighter.

Dozens of men turned expectantly, all of them in identical suits.

“Surprise, love.” Alain snaked an arm around my waist and tugged me close. “I couldn’t do this without my family.”

The whisper of his breath against my ear usually sent a thrill straight to my belly; this felt like an invasion of my space.

“Your family?” I scanned the unfamiliar faces that had assembled in the garden, all wearing identical smiles. My confusion only seemed to amuse them further. “I thought?—”

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