Page 48 of Her Seven Nights with the Duke

“I apologize for ruining the plan, Your Grace, but that is all I have to say. I must be on my way now before someone notices I am gone,” she said, rising to her feet.

Samuel watched her go with his lips sealed shut, despite all the words he wished to scream at her. His brow furrowed at his reaction. This wasn’t how things were supposed to happen.

The door clicked shut, leaving him standing all alone in the middle of the dimly lit room as trepidation filled him.

Her plan and her desperation to leave would put her in danger if she didn’t think it through.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Nora sat with her heart in her throat as the carriage jostled. Clenched in her fist was the letter she had received from her aunt, informing her that she wouldn’t mind hiring her and would be glad to have her as a governess for her children.

Her heart was burdened. She hadn’t been able to say goodbye to her mother, who had chosen to shadow her stepfather all over the house all day, despite his irritation with her doing so. She shook her head, looking out the small window at the night sky. The stars dotted the sky, and the half-moon looked beautiful.

I hope this is a sign of a new beginning for me.

Her eyes closed, and a smile graced her lips as she navigated her thoughts, through the deep sadness that clouded her mind to the tiny sliver of hope that had begun to build. She would soon have a better life than the one she had had.

Fear gripped her, and her eyes snapped open as the carriage suddenly jolted to a stop, nearly propelling her from her seat. She held her bag tightly to her chest, crunching the letter underneath her skirt.

Has he found me so soon? Am I to endure a worse than the one I already have?

Her heart shattered at the thought of returning back home with her stepfather, only to be shipped off to Lady Mathilda, who would make sure she paid for her insolence and attempt to escape.

She heard the sound of cobblestone

Footsteps sounded outside, crunching beneath footsteps, and her eyes widened. She moved in the opposite direction, pressing herself against the door as she readied herself for whatever she was about to face.

Nora resolved in her heart as her face set into stone. Lord Worlington was stronger than she was, but she would not allow herself to be taken without putting up a fight, and she most definitely would not allow him to take the letter from her. It was the only way to escape him, and finding out about it would put an end to that dream.

The knob on the door turned, the sound loud in the quiet of the night. She bit her lip to stifle her cry as she lunged forward, just as the door opened and dark blue eyes greeted her.

“Samuel?” she said, her shock causing her to use his given name.

He climbed into the carriage, closing the door behind him as he sat next to her. “Lady Nora.”

She blinked rapidly, shocked to see him. “What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here? Should I not be the one asking that question, Lady Nora?”

Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“What do you think you are doing out here at this hour?” he asked, his voice laced with disappointment.

“I visit you at this hour,” she said with a frown.

“Yes, you visit. I know where to find you if ever you do not make it. Does anyone know you’re doing this now?” he asked her, still scolding.

Her eyes burned with rage. “Would that change anything, Your Grace? Would they have been able to reach me on time if something had happened?”

Samuel clapped, making her jump. “Shouldn’t this have been your thought before you chose to do this? What do you thinkyou’re doing, traveling so late at night, and alone for that matter?”

“Well, what should I have done?” she asked, her voice raised in annoyance.

Who did he think he was, lecturing her on how to live her life? .

“I understand that your reputation has been ruined, but that doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you want,” he said.

Nora groaned as she tried to suppress her anger. “Do you think I would have chosen this if I had a choice in how things should go? Thank you for your concern, Your Grace, but it truly is no business of yours how I plan to travel.”

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