Lady Isabella left her aristocratic life behind to protect her newborn son from a ruthless duke determined to control her. Years later, when the duke discovers her whereabouts, Isabella is forced to return to the estate she once fled. With the duke's unexpected tenderness toward the child and her heart softening against her will, Isabella must confront her darkest fears. Can she protect her son while risking her heart, or will the duke's ambitions tear them apart once more?
Chapter 1 The Great Escape
The moon hung low in the inky sky, casting faint silver streaks on the imposing silhouette of Blackthorn Manor. Shadows danced across its stone walls, twisting and curling like ghosts of the past. Lady Isabella Thorncroft clutched her infant son, Edward, to her chest, his soft breaths muffled against her trembling form. The night air was sharp, pricking her skin like needles as she tiptoed across the grand courtyard.
A faint rustle nearby made her heart jolt. She froze, her breath catching in her throat. Was it the wind stirring the hedges, or had one of Adrian's guards caught her scent? She shook her head and pushed forward, her slippered feet barely making a sound on the cobblestones. Every step felt heavy, as if the weight of her decision threatened to anchor her to the ground. But she couldn't stop-not now.
The plan had been weeks in the making. Isabella had memorized every guard's routine, every creaking floorboard, every weak spot in the towering iron gates. But preparation didn't ease the terror gripping her. She glanced down at Edward, his tiny fingers curled into fists, blissfully unaware of the peril surrounding them. "For you," she whispered, her voice a barely audible promise. "For your freedom."
The first obstacle loomed ahead: the east gate, heavily patrolled and locked at night. Isabella crouched behind a hedge, her breathing ragged but silent. Her fingers tightened around the small satchel slung across her back, where a single vial of sleeping draught rested-a last resort if the guards became too curious.
Her mind raced. How many guards had she counted earlier? Three? Four? She couldn't afford a misstep. A dog's bark shattered the stillness, and panic surged through her. Had they been discovered? She pressed herself lower, the rough edges of the shrubbery scratching her arms. The bark grew louder, accompanied by the shuffle of boots. Two guards approached, their torches casting long, flickering shadows.
"Did you hear something?" one of them asked, his voice gruff.
The other snorted. "Probably just that blasted dog again. It hears every mouse that scurries by."
They lingered, their conversation devolving into idle gossip. Isabella's fingers itched to reach for the vial, but she resisted. A confrontation now would spell disaster. She waited, her muscles taut and her mind screaming at her to act. Finally, the men moved on, their torches bobbing into the distance.
With the path clear, Isabella rose from her hiding spot, her legs stiff and unsteady. She approached the gate, her fingers brushing against the cold, rusted metal. The small key she'd taken from the head steward jingled softly in her trembling hand. "Please work," she murmured, sliding it into the lock. A soft click answered her prayer, and the gate creaked open just enough for her to slip through.
Beyond the manor walls, the world stretched wide and unfamiliar. Rolling fields lay ahead, their tall grasses swaying in the night breeze. She had arranged for a carriage to meet her at the edge of the estate, but the path was long and treacherous. Every step away from Blackthorn felt like a small victory, yet danger seemed to lurk in every shadow.
A sudden cry broke the silence-Edward stirred, his small voice rising in protest at the cold. Panic shot through Isabella. She swayed gently, murmuring soft reassurances, her voice a lullaby of desperation. "Shh, my love. We're almost there. Just a little further." The infant quieted, but the sound echoed in her ears like a beacon for her pursuers.
The distant baying of hounds sent her heart racing. The guards had discovered her absence. She broke into a run, her skirts tangling around her legs as the grasses slapped at her. Her lungs burned, but she didn't dare slow down. The rhythmic pounding of hooves grew louder, and a lump of fear settled in her throat.
Ahead, the faint outline of the carriage came into view. A solitary figure stood by it-her trusted friend and only ally in this perilous escape. "Over here, my lady!" he called softly, his voice urgent. Isabella pushed herself harder, every step a defiance of the fear threatening to swallow her whole.
When she reached the carriage, she practically collapsed into the driver's arms, clutching Edward tightly. "Go," she gasped, her voice hoarse. "They're coming."
The driver didn't hesitate. He helped her into the carriage and snapped the reins. The horses surged forward, the wheels jolting against the uneven road. Isabella held Edward close, her pulse hammering in her ears as the manor's silhouette faded into the night.
Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She had done it. They were free-for now. But as the carriage sped away, Isabella couldn't shake the sense of foreboding that clung to her like a shadow. The journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but she had made her choice. And for her son, she would face whatever came next.
Chapter 1 The Great Escape
01/02/2025
Chapter 2 A New Beginning
01/02/2025
Chapter 3 Haunted by the Past
01/02/2025
Chapter 4 Whispers in the Wind
01/02/2025
Chapter 5 A Chance Encounter
01/02/2025
Chapter 6 Edward's Innocent World
01/02/2025
Chapter 7 A Noble Visitor
01/02/2025
Chapter 8 The Duke's Demand
01/02/2025
Chapter 9 Edward's Questions
01/02/2025