Page 122 of His Noble Ruin

Her sad brown eyes understood so much. “But you would’ve been forced to live in hiding. And you couldn’t have stopped the war.”

I sighed, leaning against the iron fence. My father had thoroughly deceived Etna, too. It made me angry, but her sincerity gave me some relief that she hadn’t been in on the lie. “I’d gladly disappear for the rest of my life if it meant he could be free.”

Etna’s lips pressed together, and she looked up at the sky. “Did you know my son was in love with Isla?”

I couldn’t keep my eyes from widening. My father never told me that he and his best friend had both loved my mother.

“When Evander was dying, he gave Orrin and Isla his blessing. He made your father take his identity so it could happen, even though the jealousy had nearly torn them apart before.”

I reached for Etna’s hand. I had known Evander Lenox gave his name and Class A rank card to my father so he could hide his outlaw status and marry into the Stroud family, but my father had kept the rest of the story to himself.

Etna’s voice shook. “Do you know what I think?” She paused and swallowed. “I think Evander would have done the same thing had he lived. That’s the way he loved.” She squeezed my hand and made her voice even softer. “And I think that’s the wayyoulove.”

“Is it?” I didn’t know if what I felt could be contained in one small word. Was one enough to save him?

“So?” asked Etna. “Are you going to make it right?”

My mouth went dry. No one could know my plans. “You know my father won’t let me leave.”

“Does he know how you feel?”

“Oh, no.” I shook my head. “No way.”

“Why don’t you tell him?” asked Etna.

“I can’t. I just . . . can’t. And even if I do go back, Graham will never forgive me.”

“Maybe not. I don’t know. But I seem to recall your father saying the same thing about Evander.”

I longed to confide in Etna, but I couldn’t risk her telling my father. No matter what had happened in his past, I couldn’t trust him. And anyway, he hadn’t been the hero of that story. Not then, not now. All he had was a hero’s name.

ChapterForty-Two

I wanderedthe grounds after Etna was gone, my mind churning. I wished I could run, leave now, forget the coronation. But there was too much to do and not enough time.

When my mind was made up, I went inside to my bedroom on the ground level that faced the front gates. There, I found a pearl clutch. It wasn’t as useful as the sharkskin bag I’d lost, but everyone would expect me to look like a queen.

Next, I visited the kitchens and took an empty glass jar, sliding it into my clutch. I left through the servants’ door, though no servants had used it since my mother died because my father preferred the privacy. The guards opened the gates for me, and I left as the noonday bell rang out nearby, loud and clear, propelling me into action.

I waved down a carriage and climbed inside, giving my directions to the driver.

As we drove through the city, I peered through the sheer white curtain, feeling vulnerable and afraid. I’d gotten too much attention as Bryn Yarrow. Sure, my hair was pale blonde now instead of brown. My gown looked nothing like my drab dresses, but how much could I really hide?

Eventually, the carriage came to a stop in front of an unremarkable rectangular brick building, one I’d only seen before while handcuffed.

“Wait for me,” I told the driver.

My heeled shoes clicked across the cobblestones. Before opening the door to the prison, I lifted my head and took a deep breath, forcing my most noble expression to my face. I slowly pulled the handle, my heart beating in my throat. A rotten smell wafted through the door.

Thankfully, the first face I saw was unfamiliar.

A guard behind a desk jumped out of his chair and bowed. “Good day. How may I be of service, Lady—?”

“Stroud,” I said,

He glanced at my waist, but my gown covered my bandage. “Oh! Lady Stroud.” He bowed again, more deeply this time. “How do you fare on this fine day?”

“My injury has improved,” I said, wishing everyone didn’t know about it. “Thank you.”

---