The Duchess's Secret Heir

carts over cobblestones. Stalls overflowed with fresh produce, woven baskets, and bolts of fabric. Isabella moved cautiously among the crowd, h

pointing a tiny finger toward

ch for a small copper piece. The vendor grinned as he handed

and she'd grown accustomed to blending into the background, just another widow eking out a quiet exist

o carefully constructe

avoid drawing attention, but their bearing and the way they carried themselves hinted at something more. These were not v

as he spotted a familiar figure. The woman's face was partly obscured by her shawl, but he

under his breath, nudging his co

narrowing. "It does look like her," h

perched on her hip, babbling excitedly about his new apple.

hand instinctively resting on the hilt

ush in. Let's keep our distance and follow her. We n

ack to her cottage. The morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the d

She glanced over her shoulder but saw only the usual bustle of market-goers fading into th

stay out of sight. The path wound through a small gr

ome himself?" Bram asked, his

day," Harland replied. "He's been searc

ment. "What's the pla

n't risk tipping her off. If she realizes

played. Isabella watched him, her heart aching with a mix of love and fear. Edward had grown so much since they'd arrived in Willowbroo

edge of the garden, scanning the tree line. For a moment, she thought she saw movement-just a flick

pered to herself. "Yo

eeling di

watching Isabella intently. "She

ou think she sus

's fall back for now and report to the

retreated, melting into t

l force. She lit a single candle and sat by the window, her eyes scanning the darkened

give up easily, and if he had sent anyone after her, they would be relentles

ht, a nagging voice whispered

e inn where Adrian was staying. They enter

aid, bowing as Adria

demanded, his tone

id, "We've found her, my l

, his expression harde

and replied. "She ha

ination flickering across his face. "Prepare the

e in the dimly lit room, his mind racing. Isabella had run far, but no

rees, carrying whispers of the storm that was