Slave to the Night (The Brotherhood 2)

Grace put her hand to her chest, covering the place where Elliot's letter lay trapped between her heart and her stays. If only things were different, she thought, as she glanced at the mantel clock. They had sat down to eat at seven, but Caroline complained it was still far too early and had delayed the meal even further by eating slowly in a bid to keep the food down.

Her mind drifted back to the moment she had opened Elliot's letter. The bold, elegant script was so characteristic of the gentleman who had stolen her heart. He had opened his heart to her, offered marriage, declared his love. Just thinking of the words made her chest swell with unbelievable joy.

But what he had given with one hand, he had taken away with the other.

To marry Elliot, she would be marrying a man with a terrible affliction. To spend her life with the man she loved, she would have to leave Cobham, leave Caroline. Elliot could not risk his condition being discovered. He needed routine, a safe place to settle. A place where the sustenance he needed to stave off the cravings was readily available.

Elliot's instructions were clear.

To accept him, she must meet his carriage tonight at nine o'clock, outside the church in Cobham. They were to elope, reside in Yorkshire for the time being.

With every deafening tick of the clock, panic, fear, misery and a profound sadness took root. The chimes for eight thirty were akin to a death-knell. The sound indicated the end of all her hopes and dreams.

"I feel so tired I can barely keep my eyes open," Caroline said, bringing Grace back to the present. "And look at the time," she added just to torture her all the more. "In London, the night is just beginning, yet it feels too quiet in the country to contemplate anything other than sleep."

Grace glanced at the clock. With the lanes being so muddy, it would take at least twenty minutes to reach the church. She shook her head dismissively. She hadn't even packed a thing. Besides, what sort of a person would she be to put her own needs before that of her sister?

No. She must think of the unborn child — a poor, innocent babe. Caroline would never manage to raise the child without her help.

"Why not get yourself off to bed?" their mother said, looking tired and weary, too. "You've got a busy day tomorrow, and you'll need your strength. More so, seeing you've hardly eaten a morsel this evening."

"Why? What's happening tomorrow?" Grace asked. In her world, tomorrow was the first day of a life without love. A day where Elliot would know she did not have the courage or strength to choose him.

"Oh, I haven't had a chance to tell you," Caroline said with some enthusiasm. "Mr. Kerridge is calling. I'm to go with him to take a tour of the manor. Mother's coming, too. I didn't mention it before as I thought you had too much to do here."

Grace frowned. "Mr. Kerridge? The squire from Whiteley?"

"Indeed." Caroline clapped her hands together.

"Why would you want to see the manor? You've been there numerous times over the years."

Caroline's eyes grew wide. "I'm taking a tour with a view to accepting a proposal. Mr. Kerridge has asked me to be his wife. Can you believe it?"

All the life was instantly sucked from her body, and she felt weak and listless. Her dry lips stuck to her gums. A solid lump pulsed in her throat, and she swallowed in an attempt to clear it. "I … I know Mr. Kerridge has always admired you, but he is thirty years your senior. And … and what of the child you carry?"

Mother groaned. "Must we discuss matters of such a personal nature over dinner?" she said though as usual her words lacked conviction.

"But I would live in the manor, Grace." Caroline's smile suddenly faded. "But you must not speak of the child. Mr. Kerridge knows, of course. He is desperate for a son, and I have promised to bear his children if he agrees to raise this one as his own."

Grace struggled to absorb the information. Why the hell hadn't she mentioned it sooner? Even an hour sooner would have sufficed. "What of me, Caroline? Have you considered that?"

"Oh, I shall still need you, Grace. You can help me pick new drapes for my bedchamber. And you must come and stay and keep me company when Mr. Kerridge is away."

Anger flared, and she could feel her cheeks flame. "Pick new drapes? Pick new drapes! You mean my whole life has been left in tatters so I can spend my days perusing yards of material?"

"Calm yourself. You're just hurt because I didn't tell you before. Surely you must see the logic in my decision? Surely you don't want me to spend the rest of my life stuck here in Cobham all alone?"

Rage gave way to an uncontrollable feeling of panic and her gaze shot to the mantel clock.

She had less than ten minutes to reach the church. She'd never make it, but she would damn well try.

Grace stood, throwing her napkin onto the table as she inclined her head. "If you will excuse me," she said before striding towards the dining room door. "I have somewhere else I need to be."

There was no time to pack.

After grabbing her cape and retying the laces on her boots, she ran out of the house.

Navigating the muddy lane was almost an impossible task, but determination prevailed. Lifting her skirt, she ran as fast as her feet would allow, trying her best not to slip and dirty the only dress she would have to her name. She ran until her breath burned in her chest. She ran until she had no choice but to stop, clutch her stomach and gasp for air.