Claimed by the Prince of Darkness novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Way to have clean hands

The clock on the mantel ticked steadily in the living room, each second pressing faintly against Ezekiel’s patience. He had been ready for some time now. Everything was in place except for his wife.

His thoughts drifted to Ruelle.

By now, her parents would have reprimanded her for her disappointing action. He imagined her standing there silent and wounded. When he reached there, he would offer her what she lacked. A shoulder and a reminder that she still had him.

He had a meeting with Lorenzo Helsing, but he had postponed it because it could wait today.

At last, Caroline entered the living room, her dress catching the light as she moved, flattering her skin exactly as she had intended. She had been careful to make sure people of Brackenwell knew her status had risen and that she was no longer poor.

"I am almost ready," she said with a small laugh.

Ezekiel reminded her, "We should hurry. It would be rude to arrive late."

"Mother and Father aren’t going anywhere," Caroline replied with a shrug, though she nodded after a second. She lifted the pearl necklace in her hand. "Would you help me with this?"

"Of course," Ezekiel murmured, getting up from his seat. He stepped behind her and fastened the hook of the necklace. But his fingers lingered at her nape, close enough to feel the warmth beneath her skin. For a brief moment, the urge to tighten his grip surfaced in his mind.

"Is it stuck?" Caroline asked, unaware of her husband’s ill intentions.

Not yet, he reminded himself, withdrawing his hands away from her slender neck.

Instead he answered, "No. It looks perfect. The fabric suits you well. You chose wisely." It wasn’t hard to change Caroline’s mood as she smiled brightly at his praise. "I regret that I couldn’t accompany you for it," he added, his voice carrying regret.

"You are far too hard on yourself," she offered, turning to him and resting her hands briefly against his chest. "I told you it was alright we can shop together next time. We can buy something for mother too, right?"

Megan Belmont. How could he forget that woman?

"Of course. She is family now," Ezekiel said with a false smile. "Since I lost mine long ago, I consider myself fortunate to have gained yours."

Caroline’s eyes lowered with a hint of sadness that she felt for her husband. She had always believed suffering made people kinder and Ezekiel was gentle, composed and endlessly giving, which seemed proof of it.

"I forget sometimes how alone you must have been," she said quietly. "You lost everything. Your parents. Your home. And still you give so much."

"It was a long time ago," he assured her, which was slightly dismissive in a way that sounded like strength to Caroline.

Before she could answer, a servant stepped inside and bowed his head. He then informed, "Sire, there is a gentleman asking to see you."

"Tell him I am engaged today," Ezekiel didn’t hesitate in his response. "I will make time later."

The servant lingered and replied, "He says he is the village officer from Brackenwell."

Caroline looked up at once and murmured in surprise, "An officer from Brackenwell?"

Ezekiel barely reacted at this. His mind moved faster than his breath. He had been extremely meticulous the day he had June disappear. No one had seen him speak to her or had seen her enter his carriage. The officer of Brackenwell had no reason to come here. After all, he was a respected instructor, newly married, a man whose hands were publicly clean.

"Very well. Bring him in," Ezekiel responded.

After a few seconds, the servant returned with the officer, who was in his mid-fifties. His hair was shoulder-length, brushed away from his high and frowning eyebrows. His clothes were regular to the eye, just like any other human passing on the street. He looked around the room, taking in the interiors before his eyes fell on the couple.

"I am Orev Thompson. I seem to have interrupted your day, Mr. and Mrs. Henley. I will try to keep it short," the man spoke to the couple.

"You honour us with your visit. Please take a seat," Ezekiel raised his hand towards the chair like a gracious host.

The man accepted it, taking a seat, and the couple sat down on the opposite side of the seating.

"Is something the matter, Mr. Thompson?" Caroline asked worried.

"I hope not, madam," the officer responded, meeting her eyes. "I am here to enquire about June Clifford’s disappearance. Considering she was last seen visiting your family residence in Brackenwell. Her family has since raised concerns."

"W–what do you mean they have raised concerns?" Caroline’s eyes widened. "They think I had something to do with her disappearance?!"

"It is only a mandatory questioning, madam," Mr. Thompson answered in an even tone.

"June Clifford did come by that afternoon," Caroline said after a brief pause. "She wanted to inquire about the tablecloth. She spoke with me and then left. I haven’t seen her after that."

Mr. Thompson made a brief note in the small leather-bound book resting on his knee. He then continued without looking up,

"I was informed that there had been prior tension between the two of you."

Caroline let out a short laugh which carried disbelief in it. She admitted,

"It is true that I did not like her. She spoke as though she were better than others, when in truth she was no different. Her family simply fared better than mine and she made certain everyone knew it." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Ezekiel, who sat beside her, remained silent. His expression was composed and attentive, the very picture of a supporting husband, while she continued to speak,

"But it doesn’t mean I would ever harm her."

Mr. Thompson studied her for a moment, his eyes thoughtful rather than accusatory. At last he said,

"You are right, disagreements are common. We found that one witness caught sight of her getting into a dark carriage further down the road. What colour of carriage do you have, Mr. Henley?"

Ezekiel could feel the prickle on his neck but he smiled. He replied, "A dark carriage, Mr. Thompson. Just like several others."

"And did you meet her along with your wife, Mr. Henley? When she visited the house," the investigating person questioned.

"I did not meet Miss Clifford. My wife received her briefly. She left soon after," Ezekiel replied calmly.

Caroline turned to him in quiet surprise. She had not told him how long June had stayed. The officer gave a faint hum of acknowledgement as he wrote, before saying,

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