Summoner of Sins (The Duke Fraternity #3)

Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Max stood next to the vicar, shifting from foot to foot as he waited for Sophie. He’d left in the night, but in his heart, he’d wanted to stay. The longer it took for her to appear, the more restless he grew. Last night had been…

He’d never experienced the like. His connection to Sophie was more than he’d ever dreamed and when he was away from her, he didn’t feel right. She’d reordered his world, and he already couldn’t imagine it without her.

Sophie finally appeared with Ironheart. His breath caught in his throat as he stared. She could not be his. She was too—he swallowed down a lump—perfect. He’d never seen a woman look more beautiful.

Abigail, too excited to wait, raced down the path toward him. He swept her up in his arms, settling her on one side as Sophie approached, her smile so joyful, he grinned back, surely looking like a fool. He didn’t care. Now, he bounced on his toes, Abigail bouncing with him as Sophie came toward them.

Ironheart handed her off, stepping to Max’s other side as Tabbie stood next to Sophie. Together, they promised to love, honor, and cherish each other until death do they part. Max felt every word as he set Abigail down to take both of Sophie’s hands. This was his whole life. His heart. His soul.

“You may kiss the bride,” the vicar announced.

Max leaned in, capturing Sophie’s lips with his and sealing the bond that no man could ever tear asunder.

Abigail hopped on one foot and then the other, dancing. “We found a home,” she sang. Then, she stopped. “Will Ironheart live with us?”

“No.”

They all laughed.

“But we can all visit.”

“Often,” Ironheart added with a chuckle.

Making their way back inside, Sophie clung to Max’s arm, her cheek brushing his biceps. They went through the garden and back to the dining room where a wedding breakfast had been laid out. They hadn’t been dining long when the butler appeared at the door.

Ironheart took the missive, opening the letter. Max noted that it bore the queen’s seal. Ironheart’s frown didn’t help matters.

“What does it say?”

Ironheart handed him the parchment. “We’re being summoned by the Queen. She wants more details, and she’d like them now.”

Max cursed under his breath but there was nothing to do but comply. It was in everyone's best interest that he heed the queen and that Whitehouse be brought to justice. He hated to leave Sophie now. They were finally free of danger and were ready to start their future.

He kissed her lips. “I won’t be gone long.”

She nodded, nipping at her lip.

“When I get back, we can begin our celebration.”

“I’ve an idea,” Tabbie raised a finger. “I have a few days before my father and I leave for Dover. Perhaps Abigail can come and spend a few days with me. Give the two of you a bit of time for yourselves.”

“You needn’t do that,” Sophie held up her hands. “The staff and Ironheart?—”

Tabbie was reaching for Abigail. “We could have a tea party, and build forts to sleep in, and pick flowers from the garden, and?—”

“Yay!” Abigail danced again. “This is the best day!”

Sophie smiled at her sister. “All right, then.”

“I won’t be gone long,” Max said.

Sophie’s worried eyes met his. “All right.”

After a final kiss, Max followed Ironheart out the door. They climbed into the waiting carriage, settling into opposite seats.

“I know the queen well. When we get there, allow me to do the talking.”

Max’s brows lifted. “Not a problem.”

Ironheart grinned. “Right. I forgot. You’ve gotten so chatty.”

Max laughed, knowing he was still far from chatty. “We’re leaving as soon as we’re able. We’re returning to her village.”

Ironheart nodded. “You’ll be happier away from London.”

“You’ll be all right here? Without me? Without the club?”

“I’ll muddle through. I’ve got the Devil and the Defender. They’ll do in a pinch, but our numbers are down.”

Max nodded. “My brother, about to be a duke, would like to join. You can invite him for vetting if you’d like. If nothing else, I know his accounting skills are excellent.”

Ironheart winced. “If you could keep my lack of skill to yourself…”

“We both know that discretion is my specialty.”

“Thank you.” Ironheart jerked his chin upward. “Now, let’s do this as efficiently as possible, given that it is a meeting with the queen. She does like to keep men waiting.”

Max hoped that wasn’t what happened this time. He was intensely eager to return to his bride.

* * *

Sophie carefully removed her gown, wanting to return it to Tabbie without blemish. Carefully hanging it in the armoire, she put on her regular gown and settled herself to wait in the library. Max was simply meeting with the Queen, he wasn’t out chasing villains, so she attempted to put aside her pacing and instead use the library for what it was intended for… reading a book.

She settled into a chair, picking up a book of fables. She passed the afternoon away, reading stories that reminded her of childhood until she reached the story of Red Riding Hood. Frowning at the page, stared at the words, her thoughts twisting on the similarities between the story and her own circumstances over the last year.

She’d made the journey to what she thought would be a family member, only to find herself in the house of a wolf. Good thing she’d happened upon a woodsman. With those thoughts, she set the book aside and moved to the fire. She’d read this story many times in her life, and she’d always wondered how the girl hadn’t seen the truth.

Her hands clasped over her heart. She understood now. Facing the truth would be to understand that the situation was near hopeless. Still, it was a girl’s mistake. Blindly trusting…

A creaking noise on the far side of the room caught her attention. She turned and gasped in a breath when she saw her “uncle” standing in the late afternoon sunlight.

“Sophie,” he said with a sneer. “Good to see you looking so well.”

Automatically, she reached for the poker, lifting it in her hand and holding it out. “You’re trespassing on a duke’s property.”

With long strides, he crossed the room even as she let out a scream. She could only hope someone was close enough to hear. He reached her, knocking the poker from her hand, and then grabbed her by the back of the neck, covering her mouth with the other. She tried to fight, but he crushed her cheek to his, subduing her in an instant.

“What happened to the obedient girl who lived in my house for a year?”

She didn’t answer, she couldn’t. His hand was over her mouth. She’d like to point out that it wasn’t his house and never had been. For all she knew, it was hers, being the closest kin. He’d kept her a prisoner there, locking her in a room and keeping her quiet by meeting her most basic needs as she allowed him to prepare her for slaughter.

He pulled her toward the open patio door. She had no idea why he wished to take her or what he hoped to gain, but she knew she could not leave this house. Sophie fought as she’d never fought in her life before. With nails and teeth, she tugged and pulled and bit and scratched.

He let go of her mouth to bring his hand down across her cheek. Pain exploded through her skull as stars appeared behind her eyes.

He snarled as he shook her. “Behave, you little bitch, or I’ll have to knock you out.”

“Why are you doing this?” she cried as he dragged her again. She was losing her strength even as she tried to fight.

“Because I’m getting my money’s worth out of you one way or the other. You’ve ruined everything and now you’re going to pay.”

They were almost to the door. Sophie cried out, pulling hard again, stumbled, and fell so that he was dragging her to the exit.

That was when the doors to the library burst open. Max paused for a single second, his large frame filling the double doors, a snarl pulling at his lips. A cry of relief fell from her lips before he barreled toward them, hands balled into two fists of rage.

Her uncle dropped her, taking a large step back even as he grabbed a sword from his belt. He swung at Max, slicing through his clothes, blood appearing on his shirt. Sophie cried out, but Max did not seem to notice as he charged in again, grabbing the man’s wrist and squeezing until he dropped the weapon, bones cracking under Max’s grip.

Ironheart rushed in, grabbed Sophie, and pulled her from the fray. “Close your eyes,” he whispered, pushing her face into his coat. “It’s better.”

Sophie did as he commanded. Not just out of blind trust, but because she knew he was right. Max grabbed the other man by the scruff of the neck, dragging him back out of the library. “You’re going back to the tower, and this time, you’re staying there.”

Sophie opened her eyes again and Max’s gaze met hers. “I’m sorry, my love.”

She shook her head. What was he sorry for? Saving her? Protecting her? “Go,” she whispered. “Thank you.”

Max gave a terse nod, dragging the other man out the door.

“Is he really taking him to prison?” she asked Ironheart, who was still holding her.

He was quiet for a moment. “Whatever he’s doing, you can be assured you are never meeting your uncle again. Max will keep you safe.”

It was true.