Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 188: Behind Familiar Faces

When morning came, Ruelle left for the Slaters’ mansion in a carriage. The mansion looked the same as always and when they arrived at the door, Lord Azriel was waiting.

"Mr. and Mrs. Belmont. Ruelle." His eyes shifted to Hailey. "I see you found your second daughter."

Hailey blinked and Mrs. Belmont frowned at once. The older woman was quick to correct, "That isn’t Caroline. It is Ruelle’s friend from Sexton."

Ruelle barely listened as she asked, "Is Lucian here?"

"He hasn’t returned since last morning," Lord Azriel responded. "There was a sighting of tracks and drops of blood trails found near Hullemwood yesterday. Most of the officers and Lucian have gone on a trail to find it. They won’t be back until tomorrow or later."

Ruelle’s eyes swept the entrance. Even Dane was nowhere in sight.

Lord Azriel suggested to everyone, "Why don’t you have some tea before leaving?" and then turned to Ruelle and said, "A letter arrived for you this morning. Maude must have left it in your room."

A letter? "I’ll get it." She didn’t wait as she hurried up the stairs, her steps quick against the polished wood.

The moment Ruelle disappeared up the stairs, the two guards moved to follow. Before they could take more than a step, Maude appeared in front of them. Her hands were folded neatly before her, but the look in her eyes stopped them faster than a weapon might have.

"Guards are not permitted in a lady’s chambers."

One of the men straightened and replied, "We were ordered to keep her safe."

"This is the Slaters’ mansion. I will attend to Miss Belmont myself. Unless you mean to ignore the rules of this house and insult the lord you are standing under," Maude’s eyes were sharp, and she finally followed Ruelle.

Below, the Belmonts were led away for tea. By the time Maude reached Ruelle’s room, the door was already shut. She knocked once before entering.

Ruelle stood by the window with a letter in her hand. The paper was already opened and a small smile rested on her lips.

’Dear Ruelle,

Your letter reached me, and not long after so did the news of your wedding. I am glad to hear that you have found someone you wish to share your life with. More than that, I am glad it is by your own choice. I cannot wait to see you.

I wish I could be there sooner, but I will make it in time for the wedding. And if you still wish it, I would be honoured to walk you down the aisle.

Take care of yourself until then.

With love,

Your cousin, Lachlan.’

night, Miss Ruelle," Maude answered promptly. "I also need to inform you that the seamstress sent word that some of your clothes have

they were alone, Ruelle glanced towards the corridor before lowering her voice. The guards had stayed behind, but she could

more than breath. She stepped closer, close enough to smell the faint lavender of the woman’s apron. "I need you to get word to Lucian. Yesterday, I overheard my father speaking with Minister Sylvan." The names felt heavier leaving her mouth than they had in

since she had known the housekeeper,

she heard footsteps approach from the

know once I find his location and let the lord know about

the woman, her stepmother appeared at the door and quickly looked

like to get your dress prepared

But Mrs. Belmont’s face tightened. Her daughter was missing, and now she was expected to fuss

some time to accommodate her," Maude

the tea that had been prepared for him as if it were laced with something. After sharing a few more pleasantries, they climbed inside the

Belmont muttered, "This brings back memories when we first visited the place." She then shook her head as if

what you see in him," Mr. Belmont’s words were directed at Ruelle. "He burned us

Ruelle’s words were soft but they landed to strike a nerve with her father. "At the very least, he is better than

the hooves of the horses. For once Mrs. Belmont stayed quiet because she did end up attaching the killer to her daughter and she couldn’t complain about what

think Lucian is better than Ezekiel?" Mr. Belmont

Ruelle didn’t hesitate with her response. "And I don’t think I am the only one," and with those words, her eyes

out an exasperated sigh. She pressed her lips

I favour either of them. But at least one of them isn’t setting up his own wife to take the fall for his

on it and instead simply looked outside the

eyes widened and she turned to her husband before speaking, "We should visit Imogen. We didn’t send a word to her since

the couple stay when they had nowhere else to go. She lived

won’t be able to visit, as I need to head to the courthouse. The minister

get your statement?" Mrs. Belmont asked and

the

of them in the carriage. The ride

opened and Mrs. Belmont’s sister stepped

money?" The woman asked, eyeing the polished carriage and the coachman

borrowing it for a while." Her sister clicked her tongue, unimpressed. Then her eyes slid to Ruelle but only for a

she had learned to ignore the woman the same way

things going?" the woman asked as she

The moment their backs were turned, she caught Hailey’s hand and quietly slipped out through the back

over her shoulder where the guards still stood posted at the front of the

her scarf tighter around herself. She added as they took a turn

book house?"

owner used to like collecting odd books," Ruelle explained as they hurried through the street. "Books no one wants. Failed journals, old war records,