Page 35 of The Haunted Duke

“Who do you think has generously been paying your bills, stupid child?” Lord Ingram spat out. “Who has been making sure you have a roof over your head? Food on your table? Clothes on your back? Your mother knew the deal, and she agreed to it.”

Helena bared her teeth as a feral urge to fight and protect took over her.

“Well, if it were you, you certainly have not done enough,” she bit back. “We still struggled despite your ‘generosity’.”

Lord Ingram’s sneer deepened as his grip on her arms tightened. Helena wanted to yelp from the pain, but she pressed her lips together, refusing to give him the satisfaction.

“Spoiled little temptress you turned out to be,” he gritted out. “You think because you are marrying someone with money now that your mother will be free to go? Oh no. I am still owed what you have already cost me, and I will take it by any means necessary.”

As he said so, he gave Helena a hard shake, forcing her head to snap back and hit the wall. Pain welled up at the back of Helena’s head as Mary-Anne screamed and scrambled toward them, but again, Helena pressed her lips together, refusing to let the man see her cry.

“You are a demon,” Helena seethed as she saw clearly the pure evil in Lord Ingram’s rage-filled eyes. “And you will reap what you sow.”

Lord Ingram’s eyes darkened at her threat, and she saw his other hand move back, as if to strike her. She braced for the blow, sure that it would shake her to the core. Then, with another scream, Mary-Anne lunged, grabbing Lord Ingram’s hand and tearing it away. Helena hissed as his grip on her arm loosened, but she pushed past the pain and darted forward.

She was too late. Lord Ingram’s strike landed hard against her mother’s cheek, sending her sprawling onto the floor. Helena tried to strike him, but Lord Ingram whirled with a quickness that startled Helena and caught her by the throat. She coughed and choked as she dug her nails into his fist, digging deep scratches into his hand. Lord Ingram let out a growl of rage and pushed her away, shaking out his wounded hand. Helena stumbled back, catching herself just before she hit the wall.

“I have had enough of this foolishness!” he seethed.

Helena stood up straight, jutting her chin out, but a knock came at the door that had slammed closed.

“Miss? Ma’am? Are you well?” A footman’s voice called. “Are you in need of assistance?”

Lord Ingram sneered as he looked toward the door, then at the two women who had attacked him.

“You will not keep me from what I am owed,” he swore, his voice low and deadly. “Not even a locked door could keep me out.”

Ignoring the terror flooding her at Lord Ingram’s threatening words, Helena darted for the door and quickly opened it. Suddenly, Lord Ingram’s surly demeanor shifted into a look of pity as he held his hands behind his back and offered a polite smile.

“I do apologize, ladies. I sincerely thought this was my room,” he said politely.

The footman looked in, a sheepish look on his face as he surveyed the room.

“Lord Ingram has had too many cups this evening, I am afraid,” Helena announced with an air of authority. “I believe he requires assistance with his carriage.”

Lord Ingram’s eyes began to darken once more as his nostrils flared and his lips twitched toward a grimace—then he caught himself.

“Quite right,” he agreed, taking one last leering look at first Mary-Anne, then Helena, before he walked toward the servant. “Though I will not need a carriage. My estate is just a brisk walk through the woods.”

He stepped into the doorframe, but just as he looked as if he was about to leave, he turned. Not to look at Mary-Anne, but at Helena.

“You see, I am always very, very close, and very keen on opening doors that are meant to be locked,” he whispered wickedly. “Go ahead and try to keep me out. It only makes it more amusing to me.” He pulled away, then winked, the little acknowledgment immediately renewing Helena’s urge to vomit, and then left without another word.

Helena followed quietly, sticking to the shadows as she did so, until Lord Ingram was led to the stairs. She watched from the balcony as the front door was opened for him, and only when it was firmly shut and locked did she run back to her mother’s room.

“Mama!” she whispered urgently as she found her crying on her bed.

Helena quickly joined her and pulled her mother’s head into her lap.

“He is gone,” Helena promised, rubbing soothing circles on her back.

In Helena’s lap, Mary-Anne shook her head as she continued to cry.

“You heard him,” she sobbed. “He will come back, and there is nothing I can do about it. I made a deal with a devil, and he is never going to be paid in full.”

“Then we will find a way to keep him far away from us,” Helena said quietly, smoothing her mother’s hair back from her face. “You do not have to carry this alone anymore, Mama. I am here now, and I will be married soon. Mr. Winterbourne’s brother is a duke. Things will change.”

It had taken an hour to calm her mother down. Mary-Anne had first cried over what happened. Then cried over accepting the deal with Lord Ingram in the first place. Then she cried over her own weakness. She cried herself to sleep, pleading with Helena to forgive her with her last bit of strength before she lost consciousness.