Chapter 25 #2
“Ha! Show him to the drawing room. I will speak with him.” Lord Dowell ordered someone behind her.
Theodora’s head snapped towards her father. His expression was dark and gloating. “What perfect timing. We will settle this now and get rid of you in no time.”
“Father, please—” she ran towards him, but he shut the door in her face and locked it.
“You will remain here,” he ordered from the other side. “Just like your mother will remain in her chambers. You will not speak unless spoken to and you will not embarrass me any further.”
She heard his footsteps recede down the hallway.
Theodora grabbed the edge of a bookshelf to steady herself. Her entire body trembled with fear, anger, and hope.
Alexander is here.
He had come for her.
* * *
Alexander waited impatiently in the Dowell drawing room. Every muscle in his body was coiled tight with agitation. A violent storm was building inside of him. He paced once, then forced himself still. His jaw clenched and his hands were ready to fight if necessary.
He had travelled here without thinking and had not planned what to say but when the door finally opened, a million words came to mind.
Lord Dowell entered with a stiff, practiced smile.
“Your Grace. What an unexpected pleasure. May I offer you a drink?”
He was a tall, thin man with small eyes that made his face look broad.
“I did not come here for a drink,” Alexander said sharply.
Lord Dowell looked taken aback by the blunt refusal. “Very well.” He moved towards the sideboard anyway, as though politeness could smooth over the tension in the room. “To what do I owe the honor of your visit to my humble house?”
Alexander did not bother with courtesy. “Your daughter.”
Lord Dowell’s jaw tightened. “Ah. Yes. Of course.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed at the old man. His tone was almost mocking.
Why would he say it like that?
He stepped closer to the Viscount and did not miss the cautious look he received.
“Where is she?” Alexander demanded.
Lord Dowell’s expression hardened. “You have no right to come into my home and demand to see my daughter. If it is an engagement you want, you should approach the matter properly.”
Alexander stared at him, stunned by the absurdity of the response. “I am not here to discuss an engagement. I am here because she sent me a letter.”
Lord Dowell’s eyes flickered before he smoothed his expression again. Before Alexander could press further, the door opened and a maid entered carrying a tray of tea. She set it down with trembling hands.
“Mrs. Bellfry, I did not request tea.” Lord Dowell frowned at the elderly woman.
“I apologize, Lord Dowell, but you did ring for tea—”
“I did not!” He cut her off.
The maid apologized as she was reprimanded but Alexander’s attention was elsewhere. Outside the room, he heard a muffled cry echo down the hallway. His head snapped toward the sound.
“What was that?”
Lord Dowell didn’t even flinch. “Our family cat.”
Another cry was heard. Louder, and unmistakably human, followed by a pounding sound.
Alexander turned as their maid passed him.
“Thank you,” he whispered so only she could hear.
She met his eyes for a brief moment and Alexander noticed a troubled, pleading look in her eyes before she dipped her head and hurried out.
The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Alexander moved. He crossed the room in three strides, grabbed Lord Dowell by the collar, and lifted him off the ground as though he weighed nothing.
“What the bloody hell do you think you are doing?” the old man yelled.
“Tell me where she is,” Alexander growled. “Tell me where Theodora is locked up. Now.”
Lord Dowell’s face went pale. “Put me down this instant!”
“Not until you answer me.”
“I— I will show you,” Lord Dowell stammered. “Just— put me down!”
Alexander dropped him and he stumbled inelegantly to his feet. Lord Dowell straightened his coat with shaking hands and hurried towards the door, gesturing frantically for Alexander to follow.
They moved through the house, past portraits, and polished floors, until they reached a narrow hallway. As they approached a closed door, Alexander heard Theodora’s voice, strained and desperate, trying to force the door open.
“Unlock it,” Alexander demanded.
Lord Dowell fumbled with the key, hands trembling so badly he nearly dropped it. When he finally pushed the key in and the lock clicked, Alexander shoved the door open.
Theodora yelped and stumbled forward, straight into him. She collided with his hard chest and clutched at his coat like she might fall if she didn’t hold on to him.
Alexander breathed in her floral scent deeply as if his last breath depended on it. He wrapped his arms around her instinctively, pulling her close, and steadying her while she cried.
“You came,” she said breathlessly.
He felt her shaking with relief and something inside him snapped.
Behind them, Lord Dowell cleared his throat. “Now that you have seen the situation for yourself, Your Grace, we must discuss the matter properly.”
Alexander turned his head slowly, still holding Theodora protectively against him.
Lord Dowell straightened his shoulders, trying, and failing, to regain authority. “Since you have defiled my daughter with your wily ways, Scarlet Duke, you must marry her.”