Reforming the Duke by Keira Montclair

Author:Keira Montclair [Montclair, Keira]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sara managed to get herself back onto the stool. She grabbed the bag of coins and emptied them into her skirts. Not enough. Returning them to the bag, she strode over and locked the front door. She stopped and turned to stare at her ruined creations.

The tears flowed freely down her cheeks. How much more could she handle? After all the days and nights she’d sat up late sewing, all her work had been ripped up by a jealous woman.

Fear of Stinky overpowered her. What could she do now? Although she had nearly enough money, it would be several days before she could complete the work that would earn her more. Maybe she should have kept the necklace. Better to be a whore than dead, right?

She was rolling the bag of coins around in her hand when the click of a door handle forced her to swing her head around.

She smelled him before she saw him. An eternity passed before he crept around the corner from the back of her shop. He approached her with his hand held out, a knowing grin revealing his black teeth. “You thought a larger lock would keep me out? I have all the necessary tools, my dear. You can try to lock me out, but it won’t happen.”

It was almost like he already knew she wouldn’t have enough.

You fool, she thought to herself. Did you really think money would entice him to leave you alone?

She dropped the bag into his hand.

He sneered at her, then glanced into the bag for a quick moment before his head came up. “Not enough, Lady Downey.”

“It will never be enough, will it?” Her shoulders slumped as she dropped her gaze to her broken finger. “You’ll always be back for more, won’t you? That’s why you’ve never told me the exact amount.”

“Ah, but can you blame me?” he said with a sick smile. “There is so much more you have to give.” He grabbed her chin, but she pulled away. “Ah, I’m not good enough for you?” He cackled. “We’ll see.” He pocketed the coins and then clutched her left arm in a vise-like grip, wrenching it painfully. “I see you are already bleeding. Maybe I can fix that.”

Instinct took over. She kicked him in the shin as hard as she could.

“You stupid bitch!” He slapped her hard across the cheek. Her knee flew up toward his groin but missed. Eyes filled with rage, he punched the other side of her face and grabbed a finger on her left hand, yanking it until it nearly snapped, but he lost his grip. Screaming and yanking, she cradled her arm. Did he mean to kill her? She kicked defensively again, but he shoved her to the floor and kicked her hip, sending a wave of pain through her body. She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the next blow.

But it didn’t come.

When she opened her eyes and searched for him, he was gone.

The noises outside the door must have interrupted him, but she didn’t have the energy to look out there and see what was going on.

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