Seduced in the Dungeon (Dark Kingdom Book 1) by Claire Conrad

Author:Claire Conrad [Conrad, Claire]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Blushing Books Publications
Published: 2017-07-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Ella

The moment my stepmother and sisters’ carriage passed out of sight, I changed into my green riding dress and ran for the stables. I slammed open the door, dust motes and small wisps of hay swirling in the surrounding air. Gregory and Henry both turned with curious expressions at my abrupt entrance.

Without a word, I ran to Henry’s saddle and pulled it from its resting place.

“What are you doing there, Ella?” Gregory rose, as old men do, and hobbled over to help. I shooed him away.

“Can you throw a blanket over Henry’s back for me?”

He grabbed a blanket and walked beside me to Henry’s stall. “What’s the hurry?”

“I have to get to the castle.”

Gregory frowned, the door to Henry’s stall half open beneath his gnarled hand. “I thought this was the night you were going to get the hell out of here, girl. I’ve got your saddlebags packed. Everything is ready, just like you wanted.”

A tear gathered in the corner of my eye but I ignored it. Yes, I would run away from my fate, but I must stop the murder of an innocent man. “I have to go to the palace first.”

“Why?” He opened the door and smoothed the blanket over Henry’s broad back. That done, he took the saddle from me. Forty years my senior and much stronger, despite the fact that we were the same height, Gregory lifted the saddle with ease and placed it on the horse’s back

I wiped the tear away, for it was nothing but fear leaking out at the seams, fear I’d fail to warn the prince, fear I’d get caught, fear I’d save his royal head by sacrificing my own. “I heard Lady Naomi earlier, before the Duke arrived.”

“Eavesdropping, were you?”

I nodded and stepped forward to tighten the cinches beneath the saddle. “Yes. And a huge part of me wishes I hadn’t.”

“I’ve tried to warn you about that woman, before. You need to get on Henry and ride like the wind.”

“I know, but I can’t go yet. You won’t believe what they’re planning, Gregory. I can’t believe it. It’s too terrible.”

My hands shook. I shook. Everywhere.

Gregory’s hand settled over mine, holding me still, much like my father used to do when I worried. “What did they say?”

“They’re planning to murder Prince Augustus. Tonight. After the ball.” I pulled free of his warmth and turned to face him. Henry’s ears perked, and he stomped his hooves in response to my agitation. “I can’t just leave. I have to warn him.”

“What if they see you? You’ll never get out of here.” Gregory grabbed my shoulders in a gentle but firm grip. “That woman will kill you, girl. Don’t underestimate her.”

“I know.”

“Then what are you going to do at the castle? They’ll never let a servant get near the prince.”

“I’m not going to see the prince.” I sighed, drawing courage from the memory of Dorian’s arms around me. “I’m going to see his valet.”

The lines around Gregory’s eyes deepened as he stared at me. “And how are you going to do that?”

I bit my lip and heat rose in my cheeks.

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