IX

Grace opened her eyes slowly, and a mixture of confusion and fear immediately washed over her. The air was filled with a scent she didn't recognize: a subtle blend of sandalwood and leather, with a fresh hint of citrus. There was no doubt—this fragrance belonged to the marquess. Her mind, still foggy from the confusion, tried to orient itself.

She sat up carefully, blinking as she took in her surroundings. The shadows in the room were long and deep, cast by the flickering fire in the hearth, offering her a brief respite from the cold that had seeped into her bones. The room was unmistakably masculine: dark, solid wood furniture, bookshelves filled to the brim, and thick curtains that blocked out any sound from outside. Everything in this space exuded authority and control.

Then the memory hit her. Images of Marcus at the hotel flooded her mind like a torrent: his harsh voice, the cold look in his eyes, and the confrontation that had pushed her world to the edge of a precipice. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. She had been found out. The marquess knew she wasn't who she claimed to be. And now, what would happen?

Grace glanced at the door to the room. She had to act fast. Her only hope was to find Lesly and escape before it was too late. Rising cautiously, she moved toward the door, making sure not to make any noise. The silence on the other side of the hallway was oppressive, but something deep inside told her she wouldn't be alone for long.

Barefoot, she moved quietly down the long corridor, her steps light, like a ghost trying not to be seen. Every small sound made her heart leap. She descended the wooden staircase carefully, feeling the cold against her feet. But just as she reached the vestibule, her attention was drawn to shouting from a nearby room.

For a moment, her urge to flee was replaced by sharp curiosity. With her heart in her throat, she silently approached the partially open door and hid behind the thick curtains, spying from the shadows. Inside, Marcus and Cassian stood in the center of the room, locked in a heated argument.

" How dare you do this to me, Westlin! The wedding is tomorrow! " Cassian shouted, visibly enraged.

" Wedding? " Marcus replied, his tone dripping with irony. " You still think you're marrying a liar? "

Grace held her breath. Marcus's words hit her like a slap. Panic began to consume her body. From her hidden vantage point, she watched as her fiancé raised his fist, ready to strike. But the blow never came.

" What's wrong? Not going to hit me? " Marcus goaded, standing firm and staring at him defiantly.

Cassian slowly lowered his fist, his hands trembling with suppressed rage.

" I should, " he admitted, his voice thick with frustration.

" But you won't, " Marcus continued sternly. " Because you know I'm right. You can't marry her—she's just a maid. "

Grace felt her world crumble. Did her fiancé know the truth? Her mind was swirling with questions, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from the scene unfolding before her.

Cassian stepped back, as though he needed distance to process Marcus's words. After a long sigh, he finally spoke:

" Yes, I knew the truth, " he admitted in a quieter voice. " I figured it out the moment she stepped out of the carriage. My parents wouldn't stop talking about what the Countess of Hesse should look like and how I should behave because of the age difference. But when I saw her, I thought life had sent me a miracle to help me. "

A shiver ran down Grace's spine. Hearing Cassian say " help me " filled her with an indescribable fear. What was he planning? Her mind desperately sought an explanation as she kept her eyes fixed on the two men in the room.

Marcus frowned, incredulous at what he had just heard.

" She could help you? There are plenty of women who could save you. Why her? " he asked, more controlled this time, though the tension in his body was clear.

Cassian closed his eyes for a moment, as if searching for the strength to reveal what came next.

" Because to my parents, she is the Countess of Hesse. That's all that matters to me. Clarisse is two months pregnant, and I don't want my child to be born a bastard. "

The silence that followed was deafening. Grace felt her entire body freeze. Clarisse? Pregnant? The words echoed in her mind as though someone had shouted them inside her head. The woman her fiancé loved was pregnant, and he had used her... for what?

" You plan to marry Grace just to legitimize your child? " Marcus's voice was low, but the disbelief was evident in his tone.

" Yes, " Cassian responded with a coldness that chilled Grace to the core. " My plan was to marry her, take her to the country estate, and when my child was born, return to London to announce that the heir to the Symes family had been born. "

" Hantersey, for God's sake! " Marcus exclaimed, shaking his head. " You can't do this. It's madness. "

Cassian didn't respond immediately. He crossed his arms, defiantly meeting Marcus's accusing gaze.

" If you really care about your child, " Westlin continued, stepping closer, " do the right thing. Take Clarisse to Gretna Green and marry her. Your family will understand when they hold their grandchild. And if not, who cares? You'll be doing what's right. "

Silence filled the room once more. Cassian stood still, staring at the floor, as if Marcus's words were sinking in. Finally, he lifted his head and nodded slowly.

" I'll do as you say... but if I get into trouble, you'll have to help me, " he said with a sigh, turning his back on Marcus. " After all, in the eyes of society, you'll have stolen my fiancée. "

Marcus didn't hesitate. He stepped forward and extended his hand.

" I'm willing to take the blame, " he said with determination. " To everyone, I'll be the one who stole your future wife. "

They shook hands in a silent pact, while Grace's mind struggled to process what she had just heard. Everything she had believed in was crumbling before her eyes, and the worst part was, she had no idea what to do next.

Grace's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Cassian's figure disappear down the hallway. The echo of his footsteps faded, but it wasn't her departing fiancé that made her tremble—it was the realization that she was trapped. She knew she couldn't stay, yet she also knew escaping wouldn't be easy, not while Marcus was watching her every move.

Determined to flee, she slipped silently through the hallways like a ghost. The dark, empty corridors seemed to stretch on forever, each step bringing her closer to freedom—or so she thought. Her hope was short-lived. As she rounded the corner toward what she believed to be the exit, she saw one of Marcus's footmen standing discreetly near a curtain, his watchful eyes scanning the area. He was waiting for her.

Fear surged through her, and the reality of her situation sank in. Marcus had strategically placed guards to prevent her from fleeing. There was no way to escape without being caught. Her legs shook, and panic clouded her thoughts. Every corner of the house felt like a maze with no escape.

She turned to find another way, but before she could move, a shadow loomed, blocking her path. She slowly lifted her gaze, and her eyes locked onto Marcus's stern, unyielding expression. The smile that curved his lips was cold, calculated, and the air between them grew unbearably thick.

" Did you think you could run from me, dear Grace? " Marcus asked in a low voice, laced with a barely concealed threat. " Don't even think about it. You're not leaving until I know who you really are. "

Grace stepped back, trying to put some distance between them. Every part of her wanted to run, but Marcus's imposing frame left no room for escape. But she couldn't stay still either. In a sudden burst of desperation, she struggled, using all her strength to break free from his oppressive presence. Yet Marcus was quicker. He caught her by the wrist with a firm, merciless grip and dragged her effortlessly back toward the room.

" Let me go! " she screamed, struggling to break free. " Let me go! "

Her cries echoed through the empty hallways, but no one came to help. There was no escape, and helplessness consumed her as Marcus dragged her back. The world around her seemed to fade, leaving only her and the unstoppable force of her captor.

When they reached the room, Marcus flung the door open with a single forceful motion and practically shoved her inside. The force made her stumble, but she managed to stay on her feet. Her rage and frustration overwhelmed any fear she felt in that moment. She spun around to face him, her eyes blazing with a fury she could barely contain.

" I'm innocent, you bastard! " she spat, all the pent-up anger spilling out in her words.

Marcus, still standing in the doorway, watched her with a crooked smile, clearly enjoying her fiery outburst. He knew she wasn't just a maid. Every time he looked at her, he saw the refinement of a woman raised in high society. But he still didn't know the whole truth, and that was a mystery he wasn't willing to leave unsolved.

" You're not leaving until I uncover your secret, " he said with a calmness that only infuriated her more.

Grace was breathing hard, her chest rising and falling as she tried to regain control of herself. She knew she couldn't afford to be consumed by anger. If she wanted to get out of this, she had to outsmart him. Taking a deep breath, she spoke again, her voice steadier but still full of defiance.

" If you won't let me leave, at least do the decent thing, " she said finally, her tone sharper. " Bring my maid here. I don't want her alone and lost in this wretched city. "

The mention of her maid didn't seem to surprise Marcus, though he took it as a sign that Grace was finally cooperating. He nodded, satisfied that he had regained control of the situation.

" So be it, " he replied, before slamming the door shut, leaving her alone once more in the dim room.

Grace collapsed onto the bed, her body trembling and her heart hammering in her chest. She knew she was trapped. Now, all she could do was wait for Marcus's next move, her mind racing as she tried to find a way out of the nightmare she had found herself in.