Total pages in book: 207
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
They were a perfect match without knowing it, and the more she thought of it, the more she saw of the subtle similarities between the two. Rhapsody's inability to smile and the marquis just not liking to smile, Rhapsody's trauma making her solemn round the clock and the marquis just naturally being grim as a reaper...
Aurora cleared her throat. "I cannot speak for Lady Norwood, but..." She racked her mind for a way to help the marquis without betraying her oath as his heartkeeper's doctor. "There is power in speaking the truth, milord. At least take the chance, and even if she never loved you then or now, such is the power of what's true that it can still reshape the future even in the very last minute."
RHAPSODY FOUND HERSELF making up an excuse for the first time as she skipped on joining Peyton for lunch. Instead, she headed over to the school's registrar and asked for Emily's address. It was then she found out that Emily hadn't just missed classes today. She had submitted a letter of withdrawal yesterday afternoon, and Rhapsody couldn't shake the feeling that it had something to do with the Marquis of Sangre.
Emily wouldn't be the only girl in school to harbor hopes of becoming the marquis' pet, but what if her feelings went deeper than that? Heartkeeping always offered every woman and demon two choices, so what if... what if Emily was the other heartkeeper of the marquis?
After hiring another one of the school's carriages, Rhapsody set out for Sixpence, which was the only listed address that Emily had provided the school. Once there, she couldn't help but pull her cape closer, disconcerted by the shabby state of the shops lining the main street.
Bell chimes rang at the first dressmaker's shop she entered, and Rhapsody, after introducing herself, asked if they knew of a Ms. Emily Masters.
"Her mother is also a seamstress," Rhapsody added, "who has recently fallen ill."
"I wouldn't know anything about a daughter, but there's Miss Brown in the next block," the shop owner provided helpfully. "It's been weeks since I last saw her."
"Thank you so much." Rhapsody bought herself a bonnet before walking further down the street. The other seamstress had described Miss Brown's shop as one with doors that had been boarded shut and with its display window showing off a gown in purple ombré.
Her steps slowed to a halt as she came to stand before the gowned mannequin behind the display window. What exquisite beadwork, too, Rhapsody thought, and definitely not in line with what she had seen Emily capable of sewing.
"We keep meeting at random places, milady."
She spun around, and once again it was indeed Lord Erou striding towards her, dressed in an enforcer's uniform.
"This is not the place for a young lady to walk around on her own," Erou said reproachingly.
"I was—-"
"Breaking your word?"
She blinked in surprise. "I am not breaking my word."
"I received a tip about the missing tourist being seen frequenting this shop. Are you telling me that you are also here purely by coincidence?" Erou asked sarcastically.
"But it is a coincidence," Rhapsody countered calmly. "I came because I am looking for a schoolmate—-"
"In Sixpence?" Erou said skeptically.
"This exact shop, in fact."
Shit. That meant it was possible Rhapsody's schoolmate could be another victim to be added to the list. His gaze flicked back to the shop's boarded shut. "I can't leave you out here alone, but I don't have time to spare to take you back to your school."
"I understand, milord."
"I also have enough on my plate to worry about the Marquis of Sangre thinking I endangered his pet's life," Erou warned grimly. "You'll need to go in with me, but you need to promise you'll stick close at all times. Understand?"
"Yes, milord."
Placid as ever, Erou thought, but then again, had he really expected Rhapsody to show any kind of fear?
Rhapsody stood patiently to the side as Erou systematically dismantled the planks that had been nailed to the doorway. Did this mean no one had been inside the shop since...or there was another way in and out of the place?
When the last plank was disposed, Erou turned to Rhapsody. "Ready?"
Another sedate nod.
"Remember what I told you."
"I shall stick as closely as propriety allows."
"That's not..." Ah, fuck it. Rhapsody could be stubborn as hell every time she had a blasted bee in her bonnet, and this was probably one of those instances.
It was dark inside the shop, and most of the equipment and furniture had been left in complete disarray. Signs of struggle were everywhere, along with dried bloodstains on the floor. Fuck. Erou's senses bristled. He couldn't detect any otherworldly scent, but he could hear the faintest heartbeat.
Human.
No, two humans.
Coming from below.
Rhapsody's heart thudded steadily against her chest as she followed the earl to the basement. She was aware that this situation should be a cause of fear, and she probably would feel afraid if her body happened to be capable of properly expressing such an emotion.