Page 38 of Vicious Games

Aurora called out over her shoulder without turning. “I’ll leave.”

The corner of my mouth lifted. “I’m sure by now you know what I’m capable of. Try it and see what happens.” I rapped my knuckles several times against the door panel. In seconds, the latch released, and the doors pushed open. The servant bowed and then quickly disappeared.

I spared one last glance at Aurora as she stood helplessly in the center of the room. “I dare you,” I warned, before crossing the threshold into the dark hallway.

CHAPTER 16

AURORA

I looked over my shoulder for the thousandth time as I made my way to Trafalgar Square. I couldn’t see anyone, but just in case, I deliberately swerved in and out of the crowds of Londoners and tourists. Casting yet another glance around me, I headed up the grand stone staircase that led to the National Gallery.

I made my way to the room that held Delarouche’s The Execution of Lady Jane Grey. I scanned the room. Eleanor wasn’t here yet. I sat on the padded bench in front of the massive painting and put my earbuds in. As I listened to Paloma Faith’s ’Only Love Can Hurt Like This,’ I tapped the deep bass rhythm on my thigh while staring at the painting.

Poor Lady Jane, she looked so scared and helpless as she reached blindly for the chopping block. She was wearing a beautiful pearl silk dress. Its painted folds seemed to shimmer in the dim light. It looked like a wedding dress. As I listened to the somnolent tune, I thought of the symbolism and parallels in my own life. Her innocence, her blindfold, the wedding dress, and her inevitable downfall and death.

I shivered and rubbed my upper arms.

Just then, someone tapped me on the shoulder.

I cried out in surprise as I pulled the earbuds out of my ears.

A nearby security guard gave me a nasty glare. I mouthed I’m sorry, before turning to hug Eleanor.

“Jesus Christ, you’re jumpy!” she exclaimed as she took a seat on the bench next to me.

I frowned. “You would be too if you’d had the morning I did.”

“So what the hell happened last night? I showed up and some dour-faced butler turned me away. He refused to let me even speak to you.”

I winced. “I’m really sorry about that.”

She placed a concerned hand on my knee. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”

I hadn’t given Eleanor any details, only begged her to come and get me.

I bit my lip, unsure where to begin or even how much I wanted to tell her. Once again, I searched my surroundings. It wasn’t like Roman had forbidden me to leave the house. He had just warned me not to leave him. There was nothing wrong with me wanting to go to a museum and visit with my closest friend since childhood. So then why did I feel like I was breaking one of his unwritten rules?

I squirmed in my seat, still feeling the sting from his punishment earlier.

It was a harsh warning.

“Roman proposed to me.”

Eleanor cried out and wrapped her arms around my neck. She rocked us back and forth, saying, “Oh, my God, congratulations. Holy shit! You’re going to be a duchess!”

The security guard cleared his throat and glared even more fiercely at us. I grabbed Eleanor’s hand and led her out of the gallery. We walked the halls of the museum as I tried to explain. “For starters, he’s not actually a duke. That’s his brother, Richard. The media just calls him the Bastard Duke. Second, there’s nothing to congratulate me for.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

I bit my lip again. “I said no.”

“You said what?”

“I said no.”

“Are you crazy?”

“There are a thousand reasons why marrying Roman would be a terrible idea.”

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