CHAPTER 56: VOWS IN THE SHADOWS

Lady Eleanor’s POV

​The estate was wrapped in a suffocating, pitch-black silence. Slipping out of the grand bed, I made sure Arthur’s rhythmic breathing remained undisturbed before wrapping a dark woolen cloak over my shoulders. My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird as I crept down the back servants' stairs, slipping out into the cool, damp night air.

​I moved quickly toward the quiet edge of the courtyard, where the shadows swallowed the stone archways whole.

​A tall figure stepped out from the darkness. James.

​The moment his face came into view under the pale moonlight, the dam broke inside me. I rushed into his arms, burying my face into his chest as hot tears spilled down my cheeks.

​"James... oh, James, I am so sorry," I sobbed, my voice trembling with the heavy weight of my guilt. "I am so, so sorry I did this to us."

​James wrapped his arms around me tight, holding me against the chill of the night. He lifted a hand, gently wiping the tears from my cheeks before pressing a warm, lingering kiss to my forehead.

​"It is okay, my love," he whispered, his voice steady despite the raw pain in his eyes. "As long as the child lives... at least I will get to see them grow. Even from a distance."

​I shook my head violently, clutching the lapels of his jacket. "No. If I am to bring another child into this world—a child that is yours—I want us to raise them together. I don't want us to live like this! I cannot bear watching Arthur claim what belongs to you."

​James looked down at me, a helpless, tender sadness washing over his features. "But Eleanor... what choice do we have right now? We must just go through this celebration. Let us get through the gala, let you give birth safely to the child, and perhaps... after the birth, we will figure something out."

​"After the birth of the child, we will run away," I stated, my voice sudden, firm, and filled with a desperate resolve I hadn't possessed hours ago.

​James blinked, staring at me in disbelief. "I... I thought you said you could never do that. You said you couldn't leave your boys."

​"I will," I insisted, looking up into his eyes. "I want to now, James. It is the only way for us to survive. After this child is born, we are leaving Valenridge."

​I took a deep, shaky breath, mapping out the frantic plan taking root in my mind. "By then, hopefully, Eva will be carrying Lucian’s child—they will be established and ready to step into their place to run this estate. And I will make sure I find a suitable, proper wife for Leo before then as well. I will fulfill every last duty I have as a mother to my sons before this baby arrives. I won't abandon them until I know their futures are secured."

​James stared at me for a long moment, awe and profound devotion shining in his eyes. He reached up, gently cupping my face in his hands.

​"You are such a perfect mother, Eleanor," he murmured softly, his thumb tracing the line of my cheekbone. "The most perfect, selfless woman in all the land."

​A soft, tearful smile finally touched my lips. In the freezing shadow of the estate, surrounded by lies and impending chaos, I leaned into his touch, allowing myself to drown in the absolute warmth of the man I truly loved.

​We had a deadline now. A way out. And I would burn every bridge necessary to ensure we reached it.

Eva’s POV

​As the future Duchess of Valenridge, the entire burden of organizing the gala for the announcement had been thrust squarely onto my shoulders. With Lady Eleanor resting, I was surrounded by a flurry of lady’s maids, decorators, and caterers, coordinating floral arrangements, seating charts, and grand menus.

​I stood near the perimeter of the grand ballroom, reviewing a long parchment ledger, when a cool glass of water was held out in front of my face.

​I looked up to see Leo.

​A sudden spike of nervousness hit my chest. We hadn't spoken properly since the incident in the garden. "Thank you," I murmured, keeping my voice clipped as I looked away. "I am not thirsty."

​Right on cue, a sudden dry tickle caught in my throat, and I let out a light cough.

​Leo chuckled softly, stepping closer. "Please take it, Eva."

​Reluctantly, I took the glass and took a small sip, lowering my voice so the surrounding servants wouldn't hear. "You cannot be doing things like this in front of people, Leo."

​Leo raised an eyebrow, his tone completely unbothered. "Why are you acting as though I am doing something outrageous? I simply brought you a glass of water."

​"You know what I mean," I whispered fiercely, clutching the crystal glass tighter. "You cannot do these subtle gestures anymore. I do not want what almost happened in the garden to ever happen again."

​Leo’s expression shifted, the playful glint fading into something dark and intense. "You don't want me to kiss you?"

​The stern wall I had built up instantly crumbled. I looked up, meeting his striking green eyes, my breath hitching in my throat. I opened my mouth to give a sharp, decisive answer, but the words died before they reached my lips. "I... I..."

​Leo took a slow, deliberate step closer, completely unbothered that we were in the middle of a bustling ballroom. "What? You don't?" he challenged softly, his eyes locking onto mine. "Say 'yes', Eva, and I will walk away and leave you alone."

​My heart hammered against my ribs like a caged beast. I stared at him, completely paralyzed. I wanted to say it. I needed to say it. But my throat closed up entirely. "I... I don't..."

​"My Lady?" a maid’s voice suddenly interjected from behind me. "We are ready to inspect the linens for the banquet tables."

​I gasped, recoiling as if I had been burned. I turned frantically to the maid, my cheeks burning hot. "Yes! The... the linens in the large mahogany chest. Absolutely." I turned back to Leo, unable to meet his gaze again. "If you will excuse me, My Lord... I must attend to my duties."

​I spun on my heel and practically fled down the corridor, my heart pounding so loudly it echoed in my ears.

​Reaching the upper floor, I leaned against the cool stone wall to catch my breath, clutching my hands over my face. Get a grip on yourself, Eva, I scolded myself frantically. This is becoming dangerous. Every time Leo was near, he evoked feelings I had no right having—feelings that made me desperately want to throw caution to the wind and kiss my husband's brother.

​I took a deep breath, heading down the gallery toward my bedchamber to compose myself before returning to the preparations.

​As I turned the corner, a hush fell over the hallway. I paused, catching sight of Laura standing near the shadows of the secondary stairwell. She was handing three sealed letters to one of the estate guards, her voice hushed and urgent.

​"Make sure no one sees these," Laura instructed the guard, her eyes darting around suspiciously. "Deliver them directly to these recipients. If they have a response, tell them to specify a date for you to return and collect it."

​"Understood, my lady," the guard replied, bowing before hurrying down the service stairs.

​I shrank back into the alcove, watching Laura smooth her dress with a satisfied, bitter smile before walking away.

​What on earth is she up to? I wondered, my eyes narrowing. Laura had despised me from the moment I set foot in the de witt house, and her secretive behavior was far too suspicious to ignore. Who was she writing to in secret?

​I squeezed my eyes shut, desperately trying to unearth whatever forgotten memories I had regarding her true motives. Something treacherous was brewing in this house, and I needed to figure out what Laura was plotting before it destroyed us all.