Page 23 of The Devil's Pawn

He refuses the offer of a drink from the flight attendant with a flick of his wrist. I smile at her, a contrast to Alexander’s rudeness, and accept a glass of sparkling water.

His gaze rests on my face, and I shift under the intensityof it. “I own two. This one for short haul journeys and a larger jet for long haul. In total, the family has eleven airplanes and three helicopters.”

I’m surprised he answered me. I’m even more stunned at the numbers. How can they need so many modes of aircraft? Surely, they could all travel in one. Then again, the De Vils own an empire, so they’re probably all off doing different things. Alexander is right, though. My knowledge of the family I’ve married into is scant at best. I guess I never imagined this happening. Like Saskia said, knowing this might happen in the abstract is one thing. For it to actually happen is quite another.

As soon as I get the chance, I’m going to dig into the De Vils a lot more. If Alexander keeps to his promise, I’ll have a lot of free time on this trip, so I may as well make the most of it by educating myself on him and his family.

“Was it your jet I flew on from America?”

“Yes.”

“Wow. Fancy.”

“I’m glad you found it agreeable.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Are you always so formal?”

His blank expression shows his confusion. “I wasn’t aware I was.”

Good God, the man has no self-awareness at all.

“Maybe it’s your Englishness. I’ve heard some of you can be a bit uptight. Americans are more…” I hold my palms up and shrug. “Mellow. Like that guy Donovan. I liked him. He seemed nice.”

A scowl darkens Alexander’s expression, and the muscles in his neck tense. “Donovan isnotnice.”

“Really? He seemed like a great guy to me. Fun, interesting.” I pause. “Handsome. He told me he does a lot ofbusiness with your family, so I guess that means he’ll be over here regularly.”

Alexander leans forward, a vein popping in his forehead. Oh, he’s mad. Big mad.Here’s something I can use.

“You will have nothing to do with Donovan. Do you hear me? I forbid it.”

I throw back my head and laugh. It’s risky. I don’t know Alexander well enough to second guess how he’ll react to having his buttons pressed, but we’re not alone, and somehow, he just doesn’t strike me as the kind of man who’d get physical with a woman. I’m not sure where that instinct is coming from, but he seems to prefer his well-practiced glower as a way of subjugating his opponent, whoever they may be. And right now, that opponent is me.

“Youforbid it? Sorry to point out the obvious, but this is the twenty-first century, and while your family might be stuck in the dark ages, I’m not. You can’t forbid me to do anything.”

He appears to collect himself. Settling back in his seat, he studies me while running a thumb over his bottom lip. It reminds me of what it felt like when he kissed me at our wedding, and my core clenches. I’ve learned something new in the few days I’ve known Alexander. It is possible to dislike someone and be madly attracted to them at the same time. It’s come as quite the shock.

“Push me, Imogen. Push me and see what happens.”

Hopefully, a divorce.

A subtle smile plays on my lips. Resting my hands on my lap, I fix my attention out of the window as the plane speeds down the runway.That’s enough for now.This strategy of mine needs to play out with patience at its heart. It won’t work to take a wrecking ball to it. Small acts ofdefiance that build up over time. The death of my unwanted marriage by a thousand cuts. That’s the way I win my freedom.

We don’t speak for the rest of the journey. It’s surprising how quickly I’m getting used to the silences, and while I’m not a fan, it does give me a chance to contemplate my next move. Alexander will make a fierce opponent, and it won’t be easy to force his hand. He’s so steeped in duty, the mere suggestion of a divorce will probably give him a stroke. But plant the seeds, one challenge at a time, and wait for them to blossom into freedom.

The plane lands to cloudy skies and a hint of drizzle in the air, but it’s mild, and the breeze is light. Two SUVs are parked at the bottom of the steps. Steven ushers us to the first one, then climbs in the passenger seat. I presume the other bodyguards get in the second one. Knowing our every move is monitored feels odd. I’d never thought about the dangers of marrying into the kind of riches the De Vils have, but looking back, it was naïve of me. Everyone in the family must be a kidnap risk. Money is a powerful motivator, and when you have as much as they do, it has to attract the wrong kind of attention.

The drive to Thistlewood gives me lots of time to drink in the beauty of Scotland. I somehow knew I’d love it here, and I was right. It’s stunning, with rolling mountains, hills, and sparkling lakes. Alexander said Thistlewood is remote, which I must admit, worries me a little, especially if my worries about the lack of a phone signal come true. Enjoying the countryside is one thing, but doing it alone isn’t what I’d have preferred for my first visit.

Though Emma would love it here. She dabbles in photography in her spare time, and I can just imagine her gushing over the striking landscape and moody lighting.

Two and a half hours later, the car turns onto a narrow lane bordered with neat hedgerows. I haven’t seen another dwelling for about thirty minutes. This must be it.

It’s another five minutes before we draw to a halt outside the house. I scramble out of the car and gaze up at the majestic building, a sense of awe washing over me. Nestled among a forest of shadowy trees, the mansion presents an impressive silhouette against the gloomy skies. It’s not as big as Oakleigh, but is equally impressive. Towering spires seem to pierce the sky, and meticulously carved gargoyles and statues draw my eye, whispering ancient tales of years gone by.

“How old is this building?” I ask Alexander as he joins me.

“It was finished in seventeen oh three,” he says, surprising me with the exactness of his answer. “It took three years to build from start to finish.”

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