Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 188

Chapter 188: Behind Familiar Faces

When morning came, Ruelle left for the Slaters’ mansion in a carriage. The mansion looked the same as always and when they arrived at the door, Lord Azriel was waiting.

"Mr. and Mrs. Belmont. Ruelle." His eyes shifted to Hailey. "I see you found your second daughter."

Hailey blinked and Mrs. Belmont frowned at once. The older woman was quick to correct, "That isn’t Caroline. It is Ruelle’s friend from Sexton."

Ruelle barely listened as she asked, "Is Lucian here?"

"He hasn’t returned since last morning," Lord Azriel responded. "There was a sighting of tracks and drops of blood trails found near Hullemwood yesterday. Most of the officers and Lucian have gone on a trail to find it. They won’t be back until tomorrow or later."

Ruelle’s eyes swept the entrance. Even Dane was nowhere in sight.

Lord Azriel suggested to everyone, "Why don’t you have some tea before leaving?" and then turned to Ruelle and said, "A letter arrived for you this morning. Maude must have left it in your room."

A letter? "I’ll get it." She didn’t wait as she hurried up the stairs, her steps quick against the polished wood.

The moment Ruelle disappeared up the stairs, the two guards moved to follow. Before they could take more than a step, Maude appeared in front of them. Her hands were folded neatly before her, but the look in her eyes stopped them faster than a weapon might have.

"Guards are not permitted in a lady’s chambers."

One of the men straightened and replied, "We were ordered to keep her safe."

"This is the Slaters’ mansion. I will attend to Miss Belmont myself. Unless you mean to ignore the rules of this house and insult the lord you are standing under," Maude’s eyes were sharp, and she finally followed Ruelle.

Below, the Belmonts were led away for tea. By the time Maude reached Ruelle’s room, the door was already shut. She knocked once before entering.

Ruelle stood by the window with a letter in her hand. The paper was already opened and a small smile rested on her lips.

’Dear Ruelle,

Your letter reached me, and not long after so did the news of your wedding. I am glad to hear that you have found someone you wish to share your life with. More than that, I am glad it is by your own choice. I cannot wait to see you.

I wish I could be there sooner, but I will make it in time for the wedding. And if you still wish it, I would be honoured to walk you down the aisle.

Take care of yourself until then.

With love,

Your cousin, Lachlan.’

"The letter arrived last night, Miss Ruelle," Maude answered promptly. "I also need to inform you that the seamstress sent word that some of your clothes have been prepared and asked you to drop by the shop tomorrow to check the fittings."

Seeing they were alone, Ruelle glanced towards the corridor before lowering her voice. The guards had stayed behind, but she could still hear the faint murmur of footsteps below.

"Maude," Ruelle’s voice came out lower than she meant it to, barely more than breath. She stepped closer, close enough to smell the faint lavender of the woman’s apron. "I need you to get word to Lucian. Yesterday, I overheard my father speaking with Minister Sylvan." The names felt heavier leaving her mouth than they had in her head. "They mentioned bringing Lucian’s corruption back."

For the first time since she had known the housekeeper, Maude’s expression shifted. Only slightly, but enough.

When she heard footsteps approach from the corridor, Maude replied,

"I will let him know once I find his location and let the lord know about it."

Before Ruelle could thank the woman, her stepmother appeared at the door and quickly looked around as if to catch Lucian in here.

"Would you like to get your dress prepared for the wedding, Mother?" Ruelle asked her stepmother.

To a person outside, Ruelle’s words were nothing but considerate. But Mrs. Belmont’s face tightened. Her daughter was missing, and now she was expected to fuss over another daughter’s wedding.

"I will have Mr. Dove adjust some time to accommodate her," Maude gave a bow.

When Ruelle and Mrs. Belmont joined her father, she noticed he had barely touched the tea that had been prepared for him as if it were laced with something. After sharing a few more pleasantries, they climbed inside the carriage and left.

On the way, Mrs. Belmont muttered, "This brings back memories when we first visited the place." She then shook her head as if she couldn’t believe it.

"I don’t know what you see in him," Mr. Belmont’s words were directed at Ruelle. "He burned us alive in the house."

"Because you were living in his house," Ruelle’s words were soft but they landed to strike a nerve with her father. "At the very least, he is better than the man you and Mother chose for Caroline."

Silence filled the carriage except for the sound of the carriage wheels moving against the ground and the hooves of the horses. For once Mrs. Belmont stayed quiet because she did end up attaching the killer to her daughter and she couldn’t complain about what she had done.

"You think Lucian is better than Ezekiel?" Mr. Belmont asked, surprise flickering across his face.

"Yes," Ruelle didn’t hesitate with her response. "And I don’t think I am the only one," and with those words, her eyes moved to her mother.

Mrs. Belmont let out an exasperated sigh. She pressed her lips together before finally saying,

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