Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 20: Tension in the room

Ruelle stood in the drawing room as she began to tidy up the place before she would leave for Sexton. The guests had decided to return to their houses directly from the church, while her parents were remained with the newlyweds. She was glad that the wedding ceremony had gone smoothly and she let out a quiet sigh of relief.

The soft creak of the door behind her pulled her from her thoughts. She turned to find Ezekiel standing in the doorway.

"Mr. Henley?" Ruelle looked taken aback by his presence. She glanced behind him, and asked, "Where is Caroline?" There was an undercurrent of nervousness in her voice that she masked behind a smile.

Ezekiel’s eyes locked with hers, and she felt the room beginning to turn constrict as he stepped further into the room. He replied, "She’s talking to your aunt, who is about to leave." After a tense pause, he added with an edge in his voice, "You weren’t at the altar."

"Oh, I was standing at the side with the guests. I got there a little late, but I didn’t miss the ceremony," Ruelle replied, her tone formal and distant—a barrier she’d built between them, though one she wasn’t sure she could maintain for long under his scrutiny.

"Everyone in the family is delighted and eagerly anticipating next weekend. Especially Caroline. She hasn’t stopped talking about it."

"She is a lovely young lady. Then it’s settled. We’ll see this through."

Ezekiel’s jaw clenched slightly. That was not what he meant. Did she not know that he wanted to marry her? He couldn’t believe the blunder that had unfolded. Casually, he asked,

"Did you leave the house last night, Ruelle?"

Ruelle was acutely aware that Mr. Henley, now her sister’s husband, was addressing her with newfound familiarity—as if he knew of her mistake. For a brief moment, the memory of the night before flashed through her mind—his arms around her, the mistake she had been desperately trying to forget.

her face betraying nothing. She repeated, "Leave the house? It was the evening before the wedding, Mr. Henley. We barely had any time to leave the house with all the guests around. Why?

off. Ezekiel’s expression remained

moment, Ezekiel said nothing, his gaze never leaving hers. He wanted to believe it had been her last night—everything in him was telling him that it was—but her denials, her calm refusal to

sister’s voice growing louder as she approached the main door. In an attempt to diffuse the heavy atmosphere in the

Especially knowing you will keep my sister very happy makes me

say anything in response, Caroline and Mrs. Belmont

Caroline needs your help changing out

the room and quickly walked away with Caroline towards

second for

his fingers pressing against her skin as the older woman gasped, her eyes widening in shock. She felt the cold, smooth surface of the wall

flew up to grasp his arm, her nails digging into his sleeve as she desperately tried to pry his iron-like

letting her go. He spat in anger, "How dare you trick me into

Ezekiel Henley to erupt in such anger. Still, she forced herself to remain calm, her wide eyes meeting his as she whispered in a

misunderstanding." Her tone was carefully controlled, despite the panic twisting in her chest. "You married one of my daughters—what difference does it

cutting off her breath entirely for a moment. His voice dropped to a whisper, "You have no idea who you’re dealing with,

a growing, bright red. Mrs. Belmont

and get away with it?" Ezekiel demanded,

knew how to play her cards. She whispered hoarsely,

you

would be devastated if she found out that she was stealing her sister’s happiness. She will never accept you!" Mrs. Belmont said quickly. "She would come