Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 93: Cost of Coming Home

The carriage slowed as it reached Brackenwell and came to a creaking halt. Ruelle stepped down, her trunk set carefully at her feet. For a moment she stood watching the carriage wheels roll away, the familiar rattle fading into the narrow road.

She drew in a breath that smelt of wood smoke. Home at last, she thought to herself with a smile. She then took hold of the trunk's handle before pulling it towards the house.

A few villagers noticed her at once. Heads turned with their voices lowered. One of the men nudged the fellow beside him and muttered,

"Looks like Harold Belmont's troubles are finally coming to an end."

"With his gambling habits? Hardly," the other man snorted. He shamelessly traced the figure Ruelle had begun to fill out.

"I think Sexton will put a price on her. High enough to settle debts, I'd wager," whistled the first one.

Their words never reached Ruelle. She was too far away and far too occupied with the pleasant mood to notice the murmurs trailing behind her.

When she reached the front door of her house, she set her trunk aside and knocked. A moment later it was opened by her mother.

"Mother, I am home," Ruelle greeted brightly.

Mrs. Belmont stood in the doorway, her expression faltering for the briefest moment as her eyes swept over Ruelle's well-tailored dress, the polished shoes, and the healthy colour in her cheeks.

"Good. You are here after all. It seems my letter reached you," Mrs. Belmont said with a slight smile.

"It did," Ruelle replied, stepping forward and embracing her mother, warmth filling her chest. "Forgive me for not visiting the past weekends. I was caught up with things."

"So I see," Megan murmured as a faint crease appeared between her brows. She asked, "It seems you have been doing well in Sexton?"

Though Mrs. Belmont's words were meant to ask about earnings, Ruelle mistook them as concern for her wellbeing. She nodded and replied,

"Yes, I have been doing well, Mother. How have you and Father been?"

"We have been managing. Your father kept asking when you might come. He will be pleased to see you. Let me help you with the trunk. You must be tired from the journey," Mrs. Belmont took the trunk from Ruelle's hands with an eagerness that almost seemed kind. She then said, "Why don't you go wash up?"

Those simple words were enough to brighten Ruelle's mood. She replied, "Okay."

Once Ruelle disappeared down the corridor, Mrs. Belmont set the trunk on the table and flipped it open. The older woman's hands quickly rummaged through the things before her hands paused over a small velvet box. She picked it up.

And when she opened it, diamonds caught the light. Megan Belmont stared at the earrings in her palm.

"Sexton must be treating her very well… if I had to send a letter just to remind her to return," she murmured to herself.

She walked to her own room and murmured, "It wouldn't do for something so valuable to get misplaced. I will keep these safe for you, Ruelle," and she set the earrings on the side table.

Ruelle closed the door of the room she shared with Caroline. Everything inside was exactly as she remembered it. From the mattress to the dressing table still scattered with Caroline's old ribbons. Nothing had changed. And yet she felt oddly out of place standing there.

months, she had spent more time in Sexton than she had at home. How strange that before leaving for Sexton, she had been worried and she smiled at the thought

she used to when she was here. At Sexton she had fallen into the

possibly Caroline who had arrived. But then she heard raised voices and she wondered what was going on outside. She made her way to the living room and at the same time the front door

nearly failed to recognise

rumpled, his hair untidy. There was a faint bruise

forward at once, with an alarmed

she noticed two men stepping inside the

coats were respectable enough, but their boots were scuffed and muddied as though they had spent the night walking through streets rather than sitting at any gentleman's table. One

have some nerve," the man sneered, "thinking you could try running away and we wouldn't find

Mr. Belmont answered through gritted teeth. "I was

first Halfling cut him off, spitting onto the floorboards. "You have enough coins to gamble through the night, but none to pay what you

you would settle it today, Harold Belmont," the second Halfling added coolly.

landed on Ruelle. He commented,

over her in a way that made her skin crawl and she felt the room shrink around her. Her hands curled at her sides

father without thinking, hoping for some reassurance. But he was already looking at her.

them

word left her in a

turned to her completely and stated, "Your father said you earn well, as you are in

the man, her pulse racing and she managed to speak, "I—I don't have that

turned back to her

head clean off your shoulders right this instant. But I guess an arm will do as

it." He seized Ruelle by the arm, his fingers biting into her sleeve. He glared, saying, "Give it to him, Ruelle.

tightened in her chest, not knowing what to do.

I would give it," Ruelle said, her voice trembling

she reached into her dress pocket with a shaking hand. She turned them out. Coins clinked softly into her

holding it

the small offering

satisfied with a handful

Ruelle and Mrs. Belmont flinched at the sudden crash. The sound rattled the very walls

moment, her thoughts went to the diamond earrings. But she said nothing about them. Instead, the older woman turned her gaze sharply on Ruelle. Confusion hardened into irritation in her eyes. Did this ungrateful

done waiting," the Halfling said flatly with his patience

struck like a hammer. Mrs. Belmont clasped

well. Her husband is a respectable man. He will be

Halfling repeated with a sneer. "I've heard promises

to his face. "I gave you my word, didn't I?" he snapped. "I am not some beggar

second his hand shot out and clamped around Mr. Belmont's

Belmont let out a small cry. The Halfling hissed,

and fear floating in his eyes. He struggled before he was shoved roughly which

insisted hoarsely. "There will be money.

Halflings stared at Mr. Belmont. A slow, unpleasant smile spread across the first one's face, who finally agreed, "Fine. You'll have your

as quickly. As the Halfling continued, "But in the meantime, we will be taking