Page 2 of The Runaway Duchess
“Out!” he roared, his gaze not leaving Lilian’s face. “Everyone out now!”
At once, Lilian began to move, but he caught her arm and hauled her back to him.
“Not you,” he snarled, then flicked his gaze to Agatha. “Or you either.”
He seethed quietly as the church emptied, waiting until it was only he, Lilian, Agatha, and Adrian remaining.
“What is the meaning of this, Aunt Agatha? Where is my cousin?” Adrian demanded behind Damien.
“Caroline chose not to participate, Your Grace,” Agatha said in her usual, irately calm but icy tone that Damien hated. “So I brought you the better choice. A smart man would leap at such an opportunity.”
Somethingpingedin the depths of Damien’s mind, and he was sure it was the last withered restraints of his patience finally snapping.
“Step behind your mother,child.This has nothing to do with you,” Damien commanded Lilian through gritted teeth.
The look on Lilian’s face showed she was thankful for the chance to get away from him, and she quickly did as she was told.However, Agatha stepped up to Damien and lifted her chin in a challenge.
“Where is Caroline?” he demanded, staring directly into her small eyes.
Agatha’s smile was slow to form as she looked back at him coolly.
“She does not want to marry you, Your Grace,” she practically purred with delight. “That ungrateful wench ran away as soon as I told her of your proposal. I tried to tell youmydaughter was the better choice, but you did not listen. Now she is youronlychoice.”
Damien’s clenched fists began to tremble at his sides as he felt his violent fury begin to choke him. He had never struck a woman before, but the haughty look on Agatha’s face was making him think twice about that rule. He forced himself to take a step back, expelling a pent-up breath through his flared nostrils as his teeth gnashed together.
“If you value your head, you will get out of my way.”
A sliver of satisfaction tried to break through his rage as the confident look on Agatha’s face faded into doubt, and he took another step back.
“Damien,” Adrian muttered from behind him, his tone warning.
Without a word to either of them, Damien turned on his heel and stormed down the aisle to the church’s double doors.
“Your Grace, you cannot just—” Agatha began to yell, but Adrian’s sharp tone cut her off.
“I suggest you take yourselves home and hide, Mrs. Mason, for, by tonight, thetonwill be abuzz with what you just tried to do.”
Damien almost smirked, knowing it was true. He did not have to lift a finger to punish Agatha’s attempt. Theton’sgossip mill would do it for him.
“Damien!” Adrian called, hurrying to his side as Damien shoved the church doors open. “Damien, where are you going?”
“Where do you think?” Damien barked back, loosening one of the horses from the bridal carriage awaiting them. Even without a saddle, Damien drew himself up onto the horse’s back, using the leads as reins. “I am going to find my runaway bride and bring her back.”
“Damien, you do not even know where she is!” Adrian said, his tone vehement as Damien kicked at the horse’s sides.
No,Damien thought as his horse began to gallop through the cobblestone streets.But I am certainly going to find out.
Chapter 2
Two Months Later
“Do not put down that thread and needle!” Mrs. Parks, the owner of the small dress shop, warned.
Despite the harshness in Mrs. Parks’ tone, Caroline turned and smiled at her.
“This dress is not scheduled to be picked up for another two days, Mrs. Parks, and I am nearly finished. It is getting quite dark, and I must go to the orphanage to help with the children, but worry not, I will have it finished before noon tomorrow,” she replied politely.
Mrs. Parks shook her head, her beady eyes glaring as her chubby fingers wrapped around Caroline’s shoulders and forced her to sit back down.
