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.

nothing. She repeated, "Leave the house? It was the evening before the wedding, Mr. Henley. We barely

him off. Ezekiel’s expression remained unreadable, but she could feel the weight of his suspicion

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 acknowledge what had happened, made him doubt

voice growing louder as she approached the main door. In an attempt

thank you for loving and marrying Caroline. Especially knowing you will keep my sister very happy makes me very happy as well."

Before he could say anything in response, Caroline and Mrs. Belmont appeared at the doorway. Mrs. Belmont’s

Caroline needs your help

the room and quickly walked

than a second for Mrs. Belmont to be slammed against the wall with

the cold, smooth surface of the wall behind her as he slammed her against it with barely restrained

flew up to grasp his arm, her nails digging into his sleeve as she desperately tried to pry his iron-like fingers away. Her chest heaved, but she managed to draw in enough air to gasp out, "What

dare you trick me into marrying Caroline instead of Ruelle? Do you

Ezekiel Henley to erupt in such anger. Still, she forced herself to remain calm, her wide

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

cutting off her breath entirely for a moment. His voice

a growing, bright red. Mrs.

away with it?" Ezekiel demanded, as his red eyes bore into

how to play her cards. She whispered hoarsely, "Ruelle wouldn’t be happy if you harmed me.

you sent her to

sister’s happiness. She will never accept you!" Mrs.