Page 84 of The Iron Earl

Lachlan froze in place, his eyes trained on her back as she yanked the enormous door open and slipped out. How had she crumbled so quickly? How did this demon of a man have such a hold over her that she would run, even with Lachlan standing between them?

The door closed, blocking Evalyn from view.

“At least the marquess understands the severity of the situation,” Falsted said. “We have already agreed to a divorce settlement of your so-called marriage.”

Lachlan tore his look from the ancient door and pinned his grandfather. “What? Bloody hell, Grandfather.”

His grandfather slammed his cane down on the ottoman. “I’ll not have yer opinion on it, Lach.”

Lachlan looked to the door.

Stay and fight his grandfather now or see to his bloody terrified wife?

The image of her gold-green eyes flashed through the red haze in his mind—her beaten look of panic, of escape.

It wasn’t a choice.

His feet aimed for the door.

~~~

She hadn’t made it far.

The rage pounding in his veins and clouding his vision hadn’t subsided, but he didn’t have time for it to quell. Evalyn was far more important.

Two and a half corridors to the left and he found her. Her shaking fingers trailed on the stone wall, holding her upright as she stumbled along.

At the sound of his clomping boots, she jumped, spinning around.

“Evalyn.” He closed in the last seven steps to her.

“How could you do that to me—ambush me with him like that? I was safe.” Her hand flew up to thump on her chest. “I was safe, secure, and now…” A gargled gasp cut off her words with a tremble that swept through her body.

The crack of her words and her crumpled face sent a spear through his chest. His hands lifted, settling gently on her shoulders.

She jumped backward, his hands searing her.

“I’m sorry, Eva, but I didn’t think I could get you in that room any other way. I was told your stepfather was demanding to see you—see with his own eyes that you were unharmed. I had to prove that you are well and here on your own accord.”

“Not that it worked—not that anything defying my stepfather is but a flickering fly of nuisance until he gets what he wants.” Her words came out in stuttered gasps.

Lachlan stepped to her, stealing away the space she had gained between them. “He’ll not get you.” His hands lifted once more, his fingers capturing the sides of her cheeks.

She flinched, her eyes closing and her head shaking. But she didn’t jerk away.

“You have to trust me, Eva. He’ll not take you from me. No matter what.” His words shook with vehemence. He glanced back over his shoulder, then bent his head so his eyes were directly in front of hers. “But for that to happen I have to go back and talk to my grandfather before he does something so dire there is no coming back from it. Before this turns brutal.”

Her eyes widened, the gold sparks in them alarmed. “Lachlan—”

“Trust me, Eva. Just say you trust me.”

Her eyes closed for a long moment. One breath. Two. Her eyelashes fluttered and she met his gaze. “I do.”

He kissed her forehead. “Go to our rooms. Stay there. I will be up as soon as I have settled the matter.”

{ Chapter 19 }

The ancient door creaking starkly against its hinges, Lachlan stormed into his grandfather’s room.

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