Page 31 of Papa's Little Bride
The front walkway has been cleared of snow, but the street is a dirty path of slush. Still, I don’t pause. I run as if my life depends on it. I refuse to be abandoned again. Especially by a man who tricked me into thinking I might find happiness and love with him, and all the things I never had growing up—a caring Papa, loving guidance, and a safe place to call home.
BeforeI turn at the end of the street, I think I hearhimcalling my name in the wind.
But I don’t stop. I can’t stop.
There’s no turning back now.
It’s over.
Kington
“Why the fuckdidn’t you stop her?” I glare atmy butler, who has served me faithfully for many years. I run a hand through my hair and pace the length of the foyer.
“I am sorry, sir. I did not realize she was running away at first. I thought she meant to go into town, and I was calling after her to offer the use of a carriage. But rest assured, we will find her, sir. We have over two dozen guardsmen out combing the streets. She willturn up soon.”
Worry and fear clutch my heart, as well as a deep panging sense of betrayal. The pain is almost severe enough to double me over. Each breath is a struggle; the feeling of loss is so profound.
Faith has run from me.
She no longer wants me as her papa or her husband, so much so that she’s left without a goodbye and without packing anything. She doesn’t have apenny to her name.
Where the hell has she gone?
She hasn’t returned to the orphanage, or the man I have stationed there would have found her and brought her home already. I have another man watching Madame Angelic’s brothel as well, though I doubt she’ll seek refuge there.
Fucking hell. I reach for my coat.
“Master Kingston,” Mrs. Summers says. “You have only been homea few minutes. Stay a bit longer to warm up and have a bite. I’m making vegetable stew, and it’s just about done.”
I can’t stay. I’ve only stopped by the house now to check in and make sure Faith hadn’t returned on her own. If she’s not here, I can’t stay. I’ll roam the streets all night looking for her if need be.
I won’t rest until I know she’s safe.
My heart lurches. Eventhough she doesn’t want me anymore.
“I’m going to start on the southern end of town this time, and work my way back here,” I tell the butler as I turn my back on Mrs. Summers. “If you hear anything, find me at once.”
“Yes, sir, of course. Good luck.”
Bracing myself for the cold wind, I rush back outside and resume the search for my sweet Faith. On my way to the southern end,I spot several guardsmen also searching, going in and out of buildings and knocking on doors. None of them have heard anything yet. As I peer down every street and alley, I try to understand what went wrong. I’d thought Faith enjoyed last night as much as I had. She’d begged me to claim her, trembled under my touch, and cried my name over and over again. She’d fallen asleep in my arms, her expressionone of pure bliss.
Was she angry I was late waking her up? I run a hand through my hair and dismiss this possibility. Whatever her reasons, whatever has happened that’s changed her desire to continue in our marriage and our dynamic as Papa and little girl, I intend to get to the bottom of it.
But what matters most is that my sweet girl is happy and safe, and she’s likely neitherwhile out on the streets, in the cold, perhaps in a treacherous part of town. Rage simmers through me. I’m furious at her for putting herself in danger.
Where the fuck is she? I finish walking every street and alley on the southern end of town, but she’s nowhere to be found. With a sigh, I pause in the town square and gaze at the dazzling lights on the large Christmas tree that must havebeen erected this morning.
Then I spot movement beneath the boughs of the tree. At least, I think something is shifting. The sun is setting and dark shadows are spilling through the streets, so perhaps it’s only a trick of the light, but I head closer and closer, drawn as if pulled by a higher force.
I step over the short gate that circles the tree, crouch down, and lift one of theboughs, only to find myself staring straight into familiar light blue eyes.
