The Duchess Spy

Sylvia Grey

CHAPTER 1 Lady Zahra stared out of her window, staring out into bleary London in winter weather, watching the near freezing raindrops pitter patter on the windowpane. She could just barely make out her own reflection, and that was only if she squinted in just the right way. Her skin was its usual pale, accentuated with her black eyelashes and startling blue eyes. She became critical. Her black curls wouldnt sit right today for the life of her and no matter how many times she pinched her cheeks, they would not pinken. She was feeling morose, and she knew it because the servants were giving her a wide berth, as they normally did when they sensed that she had gone into one of her moods. She would normally walk the feeling off, but she couldnt due to the obvious fact that it was pouring outside. Her mind wandered. Who might she have met if it hadnt rained? What adventures to write about in her journal to send Mother and Father to read on their never ending mission in South America? She sighed. The journals she never sent that is. The last time she had taken one of her walks, yesterday, she had been invited to Lady Valeries masquerade ball. On a whim, she had indulged in the temptation and attended. It had brought her nothing but trouble. She had come home in the coach to find all the lights of the ridiculously big house ablaze. She lived in the house with her grandmamma whod been somewhat forced to take her in when her parents had left her. For some unfathomable reason, the bright sight had given her the shivers. Apparently, the shivers had been the universes twisted way of telling her that her grandmother had passed away while she was out dancing, pretending to be someone she was not. Zahra had gone as a Greek goddess, scandalously showing off one shoulder and an inch of ankle. She had even worn a leaf wreath in her hair. Grandmamma had drawn the line at Zahras hair however, and so her
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luscious black curls had been pinned up instead of the traditional Greek style of leaving it out. Grandmammas funeral had been this morning. Zahra had been shocked throughout the service, finding it so hard to believe that her vibrant and colorful grandmamma had simply taken a shuddering last breath and then no more. Zahra had always thought her grandmother of all people would leave this world with something more scandalous, and attention grabbing. But no, only a shuddering last breath. Drat that last breath to the coldest fire in hell, because now if she wanted any part of her grandmammas inheritance, she was supposed to marry someone. She hadnt even known this until Grandmammas lawyer (and sometimes lover) had told her what was going to happen according to Grandmammas will. She needed that inheritance, as Mama and Papa had given most of their money to charity and the rest to grandmamma, almost in compensation for dumping their only daughter on her for who knew how long. How in the world was she supposed to catch a husband? She still clung to her schoolgirl fantasy that there was a perfect man waiting for her somewhere.

CHAPTER 2 The Duke of Wakefield, Lucas Sinlavs, stormed into his house with a breath taking grin. He had just arrived on his horse after winning a race with his chums from Before. At 25, he was undeniably the handsomest nobody to have ever been titled. He had soul piercing gray eyes that changed to hazel whenever something amused him. Like right now for example, he was in such a jovial mood that a person wouldnt even think his eyes were normally gray. His hair was so blond that it was almost at odds with his strange eyes. He looked absolutely nothing like the man and woman he called Mother and Papa. His titled friends teased him endlessly about calling his father Papa, like a schoolboy, but it was just what he did. His friends from his untitled days-Before- seemed to understand. But still, after 17 years, not one of his new friends seemed to even vaguely realize that the man he used to call Father had died before his eyes, but only after gazing at 9 year old Luke with so much love and adoration that Luke had to blink back tears every time he remembered. Because no matter how much and how long he tried to focus on that part of his father, he always remembered the parts that came next. The sad, determined, slightly crazed smile. The crack of two gunshots. The blood of his mother splattering on him. And then the blood of his father. His true father, the one who had supposedly gone stark raving mad and killed his mother, and then committed suicide. To that day Lucas never understood why his father has spared him. His new mothers voice broke him out of his reverie. Lucas, Luke is that you? She called tentatively from the living room. Come here, I need to tell you something very exciting. His devilishly handsome smile disappeared. When mother said something was very exciting that usually meant something about trying to get him
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married. After pasting a smile on his face and talking, more accurately listening to her gush about her, no, their plans for the weekend, he was in no mood to smile-even fake smile. His mother had planned for them all to take a break from the frighteningly freezing weather of Wakefield to go south, specifically London. He apparently had some cousin he had never met there and worse, his mother was planning to drag him to every ball with prospective brides. He despised London and all that stood for it. The balls, the crowds, the shops, and the pollution. The only good things about it were its well known gaming hells. He smirked. If his mother thought that she could control his days and nights both, she was in for a surprise. The hells were known for their policy of no discrimination to any class. Anyone was allowed to gamble there if they could afford it. That made it fun. The higher ups usually gambled for more, drank more, and had more skill. Best of all, the halls supplied that type of woman as waitresses, there for a mans every want or need. Luke was known for being a thorough rake and he planned on keeping up his reputation. He would go to London all right, claim that no woman had caught his attention for marriage, say maybe next year, and then proceed to drink his problems away.

CHAPTER 3 Zahra! Are you even listening to me? Zahra focused in on the high pitched voice that had been made for singing and definitely not for yelling at her. She nodded when she saw the owner of that beautiful voice, her best friend, Lady Solange looking at her with hurt written in her eyes. Solange was perfect. She could sing forever and you would never get tired of hearing her voice. She had the to-die-for hourglass body, to go along with golden ringlets and chocolate brown eyes. Apparently she had perfect family too, because the last time Zahra had been listening, Ange had been talking about her dashingda di da da distant cousin, the Duke of Wakefield. Zahra interrupted her friend, her voice sounding flat compared to Solanges lilting one, How do you know so much about him and have so many opinions about someone you only heard of yesterday? And that too only because hes visiting on... uhh. Well hes visiting on... Oh Zahra. Solange sighed exasperatedly. Hes already here! He and aunt and uncle, they arrived last night by carriage. In fact, he offered to take me on a drive through the park and naturally I thought to ask you to come along too. I know youre supposed to be in mourning for another weekbut its already been so long! Almost a year! I dont think anyone would mind, that is if you dont. Solange gnawed her lip in uncertainty. Oh, and had Zahra mentioned? Lady Solange, Ange to her and only her, was just the sweetest thing. Half the time she couldnt say no to anyone, which is why Zahra was always so protective around Ange. If anyone said or did anything against Ange, Zahra was like a mother lion around her new cubs, she protected with an instinctual fierceness.
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You never mentioned this before! Oh... never mind that. Ill come. Of course Ill come. I cant wait to start wearing colors again, grandmamma always hated the rule of wearing black all year just because of a loved ones death. She always said that you should honor the persons memory by wearing their favorite color. Zahra replied with a smile. Ange smiled, remembering the oft repeated complaint. Well, he should be here soon Zahra, so are you purchasing that lovely fabric or not? Zahra looked at the price and then with a pretend nonchalance put the silky fabric back. There was no way she could afford that with only her allowance. Mama and Papa had yet to find out that Grandmamma had died, and she was loathe to waste her own money that she was saving for a trip somewhere exotic. Her parents had gone to South America as missionaries and Zahra hadnt heard from then since they left, the day before she turned 15. It would be 6 years since that had happened... tomorrow! Dear Lord, she had almost forgotten! Her head snapped up when she heard her name being called, apparently it had been called repeatedly as Ange was looking at her with annoyance, Zahra, youre doing it again! Are you all right? What has gotten you all tied up like this... I know its not your grandmother, Lord rest her soul, because if it was, youd have never agreed to come shopping with me. Zahra? Zahra! Why are you crying? Its not anything I said is it? Here take my handkerchief. Itll be all right. Whatever it is, shhh dont cry! Itll turn out all right! Anges voice cracked on the last word with the threat of her own oncoming tears. Zahra lifted the handkerchief to dab her tears, which she hadnt realized had been making a slow path down her pale cheeks. No sniff... its nothing you said Ange. Truly. I was just thinking... and then I realized the date... and then tomorrows date. Ange, its going to have been 6 years since they left, six
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years with not a word! What if somethings happened? What if... Ange didnt let her best friend finish, knowing exactly where it would end. They had had this conversation before, and so she did the only thing she knew she could do. She pulled Zahra into a gentle embrace, making soothing motions on Zahras now sob-wracked back. She didnt care that her taffeta gown would most probably stain; she could always buy a new one. But friendship wasnt something she ever wanted to buy, and the friendship that she and Zahra had was irreplaceable. Dont let your grief over them let you forget the good too; its going to be your 21 st birthday the day after tomorrow. Ange whispered in a calming voice. After a while, Zahra pulled herself back together, quieting her painful sobs. She wiped her face, let Ange fix the curls that had fallen out of her lace cap-she absolutely despised bonnets-and picked up the silky fabric she had put down before. Her parents had abandoned her, which was how she had always seen it, even though she still had the little girls want for a mother. When she walked out of the store with Ange being unusually silent, she grabbed her friends hand and gently squeezed. Thank you Ange. For everything. She whispered. Ange looked at her with a wobbly smile. If youre going to be all right then so am I, Zahra. Im just worried for you. You wont be able to keep your house Zahra, shes giving it away to her other grandson through the will. You have no other family you know of in Britain, you yourself said the rest had moved on to America. Its a few more years until you will be able to respectively live on your own, but if you did that you would be living off your allowance, which isnt nearly enough. You have to
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marry if you want the money your grandmother left you. Stop me if Im wrong Zahra, but what are you going to do now? Where are you going to go? After the funeral I saw you walk off with a lawyer. What did he say? Has he any plans for you? Plus, day after tomorrows your 21st birthday, but you hardly seem to care a whit for that. Most ladies would be jumping up in down in impatience! Zahra held back the threatening surge of tears. This was the part she had hid from Solange. She took a shaky breath. Ange, you are truly the best friend a lady could ever ask for. And so I will tell you. The lawyer said my grandmother left almost no instructions for me or for anyone else concerning me. He read through the whole will until finally at the very end she mentioned me. Out of 6 pages she dedicated two sentences for me Ange. Two sentences filled with so much. She sniffed, once again willing her tears back. I will not cry again. I will not cry again. She filled the mantra into her head, unwilling any other thought to enter. It was bad enough that she had cried in front of Ange, it would make Ange start sobbing too if Zahra broke again. Two sentences. One to say that the only thing she leaves me is a well sized dowry. The other to say that if my parents have not yet returned from their blasted vacation, then she... she...disowns me. Why would she do that Ange? I never did anything terrible to her. I never got in her way. I held my own all these years! Ange put a dainty hand on her arm. She would have put it on Zahras shoulder had she been tall enough to. But she, at 52, only came up to Zahras chin. Zahra smiled shakily at her from her own height of 56. At least she left you that, Zahra. Alls not lost! She cannot strip away your title of a Lady, she isnt your father. So you have a title, a dowry, and your striking beauty. Dont ever forget that youre a beautiful princess. Her voice took on a teasing edge towards the end.
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Zahra smiled at that, some doubts erased. Ange would be there for me, whatever happened, she thought. She hadnt said it in words but if she was calling Zahra princess, the meaning of her name, then that meant she was trying to remind her of their past together as friends. Zahras thoughts were only confirmed when she added, In fact, I was thinking of asking father if you could stay with us, at least until you can get back on your feet. Please dont say no, I strongly think that this would be the right thing for you to do for now. She looked at her with a pleading so sincere that Zahra could only blink. Then she grinned at her so wide that Ange slowly smiled back. Ange took that as a yes and Zahra had to drag her along the sidewalk to keep her from jumping up and down with glee. She stopped Zahra and pointed towards a man walking in their direction. Hold on Zahra! Thats our escort to the park and then home! Zahra gawked, and then blushed deeply when he came closer. Dear Lord, Ange, and I thought you were pulling my leg when you described your cousin! She giggled. Why Zahra, I thought you didnt want- What! Zahra whisper screeched. I did not say anything about not appreciating good looking menuh hes beyond good looking. She giggled again, More like devilishly handsome too bad hes my cousin. She pouted. And then mock glared at Zahra. Damn it Zahra, theres no restriction on you, youre not really family, just feel like it! Zahra had to decide whether to be offended or warmed by that statement. She chose neither. She mock gasped. Language miss! Our gentleman is almost upon us

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Gentleman? She scoffed. According to mother, hes a thorough scoundrel. Also, though she says never to mention it, he was actually adopted by my aunt and uncle when he was 8 years old... something terrible happened that as oooooldddd family friends they felt responsible for his well-being. He wasnt even titled! Oh, shhh, here he comes! Remember, not a word! And for heavens sake do NOT call me Ange when hes around, Solange sounds so much more- She broke off when her devilishly handsome rake of a cousin arrived. Good morning ladies. He said with a strained smile and a polite bow.

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CHAPTER 4 When Luke had arrived at his cousins house, his cousin had already fallen asleep. His parents insisted that even though the family knew of his lineage, he should still call them aunt and uncle. And so he did, to please them. He tried to please his parents all the time. Once when he was 11 he disobeyed them and snuck off to his friends house though his parents had strictly forbidden it for the weekend as his friends mother had been hosting a tea party, where she hadnt wanted any rough play underfoot. He had snuck out, gotten halfway there, but had nearly doubled over with the burden of guilt. His conscience had reminded him over and over again that he wasnt acting the right way a boy who had been treated with nothing but generosity should have been. He had eventually made his way back to his new house but had never tried to disobey them again. He went against their wishes in a way typical rascals did, but was never impolite or rude. And since they had asked him to be a gentleman towards his cousin, whom he still did not know the name of; he took each of their gloved hands and brought their knuckles to his lips after giving them a slight bow. When he let go of their hands, he looked up at their faces. He took a cursory glance at his companions and noticed all the details. His cousins friend was wearing a teal colored dress, with a black ribbon a on her wrist; someone in her family must have died. On the other hand, his cousin herself was a lover of bright colors and frills. He then waited for the customary introductions.

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CHAPTER 5 When Anges cousin let go of her hand, Zahra felt a slight twinge of disappointment. For what she did know exactly. But when he stepped away she knew what was expected and dropped into a small curtsy, as he was of a higher class than she. Then Ange spoke, Cousin, I once again thank you for offering to take us to the park. She smiled, showing dimples on either cheek. I am Lady Solange, as you know, and this is my close friend Lady Zahra. Lady Sarah? Pleased to be of acquaintance. I am Lady Solanges cousin, as I am sure she has told you. Please dont call me Duke of Wakefield, as I much prefer Lucas. Lord Lucas if you must. Lady Sarah, you can leave your dress with the coachman and he will take it home when we end our stroll in the park. Let us start! he finished with a polite smile. Tinged with annoyance of having been called Sarah, she did as he told and then ignored the arm he offered to her. Instead hooking elbows with Ange, who had taken the arm she had pointedly ignored. Ange glared at her. What Ange? He called me Sarah! Plus hes being so aloof, as if he wants to be anywhere else! Zahra murmured in her friend's ear so that the Duke wouldnt over hear. She didnt know why but something about the way he behaved pricked at her pride. He wasnt rude, or cold, just polite. And that bothered her. She rather liked it when people were straightforward with her. She could handle peoples opinions; she had since her parents left, but distant aloofness and politeness? Suddenly she remembered why those attitudes bothered her so. Her father used to act like that around her towards the end, right before he left with her mother. Not angry or resentful, but distancing.

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CHAPTER 6 What had he been thinking? Lady Zahra hadnt met him for more than a minute before he started teasing her. She wouldnt have even thought it as teasing. She probably assumed he misheard her. How was she to know that he and his best friends new wife teased each other constantly? She wouldnt know that his friend, Ralphs new wifes name was Sarah and he always called her Zahra, as she liked to think of herself as a princess. It was ironic, as they were working class and definitely not even titled. Yet here he was. By some miracle he was titled and rich, talking to other rich and titled women. One of them actually named Zahra. His mouth twitched, itching to laugh at the irony of the world. He solemned up when his cousin tugged on his arm, motioning him to come closer so she could whisper into his ear. Her voice was a sweet whispery breath on his ear, her lilting words at odds with her sharp tongue. What are you laughing at cousin? Talk to Lady Zahra, not Sarah! And for Gods sake, would you please slow down! he nodded acquiescently and slowed his pace to a more respectable one for the ladies. He then groped for words to say but was saved by the Lady he was supposed to make conversation with herself. Duke Lucas, please if you will, where are you from again? He duly noticed that she called him Duke, but decided to ignore it for now. Im from Lee...err Wakefield madame. Hence the name. Duke of Wakefield. He looked at her. Hoping that she didnt catch his stumble. For years he had tried to fix the way his mouth seemed to automatically say, Im from the streets of Leeds. To something more appropriate to where he was in life now, I reside in Wakefield now madame, hence the name. When she didnt look at him, he cursed. She caught it, and he was going to pay for it later when she felt comfortable enough to ask him. And by
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the way those two looked; he was going to be spending a lot of time around her. Not that he minded because she was stunning to look at. He was surprised that he had managed coherent speech around her at all. She had raven black hair and cloudy blue eyes that threatened to drown you in them. His cousin was a beauty too, with a curvy body, blond ringlets, and even more endearing-but common- brown eyes. But she was off limits. He sighed. It was going to be an interesting next few weeks.

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CHAPTER 7 Her hand in the crook of her cousins elbow, Solange was becoming more and more disappointed. Her cousin had all the looks she wanted in a man for Zahra, except for the fact that he was hardly trying at all. She for one had caught the mischievous twinkle in his eyes when he called Zahra, Sarah, and had seen how his mouth had quirked up at the corner as if he was stifling a smile. Alls the shame she thought, he probably has a charming smile. He had smiled at them when they met, but she unknowingly agreed with Zahras thoughts. That smile was polite and only polite. There was no feeling to it. On the other hand, during her furtive glances at Cousin Lucas, she saw his eyes becoming more and more hazel colored. She couldnt believe her eyes so she told Zahra. Zahras stifled her own gasp when the piece of information was softly whispered into her ear.

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CHAPTER 8 It couldnt be, thought Zahra. She used to know a boy whose eyes would do that. She actually only met him once when she was living with her parents. They had been travelling to Leeds to visit her fraternal grandparents, who had both been in bed sick for over a month with a fever. Everyone had seemed to know that they had only a few days to live and so all the family had flocked to Leeds. On the way, her family stopped at an inn, and she had met the innkeepers son who had looked to be around 8 years to her mere 5. He had seen her travel weary face and sensed her spirits were down and had given her a piece of candy. She had looked into his face and seen his eyes, that seemed to be changing to a hazel right before her eyes! She had gasped, then grinned, then finally given into the laugh that had seemed to bubble from within her. Mama had looked at her a little funny, but when she saw the boy whose eyes could change colors, she too smiled. 5 year old Zahra had known that her mother wouldnt have let her eat a strangers candy so she had quietly but quickly snuck it into her mouth. By the time she looked at the boy again, his eyes had changed to be a pure hazel. He smiled at her, and it took her breath away. His smile only made her smile wider. She didnt care one fig that her mouth was starting to hurt. If she could keep the boy smiling long enough to hear his laugh, it would be worth it. She kept looking back up into his hazel eyes. If it werent for her mother seeing changing eyes too, she would have thought she had imagined the storm grey eyes. That boy had plagued her dreams for a full year afterwards. Her mother had dragged her off before she could get him to laugh, but it had chased after her when her mother had led her away. She had tried to look back but the smiling boy had vanished. From that day on she had fancied herself to be in love with that boy; the innkeepers boy who hadnt
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even spoken a word to her during her whole stay there. As if guessing her thoughts, Ange cleared her throat. We should probably head back home now. I have an important matter to speak to mother and father about. She nudged Zahra. This resulted in a sweet smile that brought out the sparkle in Zahras eyes. She had always been jealous of Anges dimples, but Ange always claimed to be jealous about the way Zahras eyes twinkled when she smiled and how Zahras smile or laugh was immediately contagious. Zahra could already see the smile growing on Anges face, and when she risked a glance at the gorgeous Duke, found him to be holding back his own smile. Zahra suddenly wanted very much to see if that smile would match her innkeepers boys smile. Does he ever let himself smile? she whisper asked Ange. Ange shrugged. How am I to know? This is the first time Ive met him too! she looked at the Duke. Then looked back at her. I told you your smile is utterly without a doubt immediately contagious. She teased in her normal musical voice. Zahra glanced at the Duke again; to see if that would entice a smile out of him. But the clever man had looked away, and Zahra held back a small groan. She could tell he was smiling because of the lift of his cheeks. My, he had some fine high cheekbones... snap out of it! She commanded herself, hes only a man! My best friends cousin at that too. If Ange gets what she wants, Im going to be living with them until I find a suitable husband. Luke turned when he heard Lady Zahra sigh. Everything all right Lady Zahra? she turned to him in surprise, lines creasing her pale forehead. Surprisingly fast, she hid her puzzlement and sweetly replied, Why sir, I didnt think youd notice. You were walking so fast and deep in thought...
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I asked you if anything was wrong Lady Zahra, not if you could throw insults at me. She blushed, but kept her chin high. It was the rascals fault she was sighing in the first place. He should have stayed in Wakefield and let her have kept her thinly restrained peace and sanity. They walked the rest of the distance in pretend companionable silence that was really quite awkward. Luke had his mind full with how Lady Zahras blush was going to drive him to distraction, quite a lot like it actually was. Solange was thinking of how she could cleverly bring the two people on either side of her to an agreement on anything, as it seemed like they would not get along at all the next few weeks unless something drastic happened, which was what she planned on providing. And Zahra was thinking about her grandmother, the marriage equaling inheritance ultimatum, Lucas, and what Ange would say if she knew what she was thinking.

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CHAPTER 9 The meeting with her parents did not go nearly as well as Solange had hoped it would. After Solange and Luke had dropped Zahra off at her depressingly alone house, they shared a quiet ride home. He seemed to be perfectly okay with the quiet, even though Ange was almost bursting at the seams to break it. After dinner she proposed her idea. That caused argument. Finally they had seen her rationale and had agreed, but on the condition that Zahra actually tried to find husband as soon as possible and not take advantage of their hospitality. Ange had bristled in defense of her friend. Mother! Father! How could you even say such a thing? This is Lady Zahra we are talking about. The Lady Zahra that has been abandoned by her parents, left alone and disowned by her grandmother, and has no family or friends here in Britain other than us. She wouldnt have hesitated to help me were I in the same situation. All right, now dear, calm down. We will let her stay. Tell her to pack and tell her that she may stay as long as she needs. She will be treated as family.

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CHAPTER 10 When Zahra arrived at the mansion that Ange called home, she felt a sort of peace settle over her. She was finally safe. She was going to be taken care of. She had nothing to worry about...except finding a husband. She really ought to fake a marriage, she thought as she knocked on the door. When the door opened, she was scheming so deeply that she ran right into someone. Someone very tall. And hard. She knew who it was before she even backed away, and when she did, she was profusely blushing. The Duke of Wakefield was hardly dressed for dinner. She figured she was early then, enough time to unpack and settle into her room attached to Anges. The Duke was wearing a white shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, and smoothly hugging his shoulders and chest. She was speechless for a moment, silently cursing her witty comments for deserting her at such a crucial moment. Is Cousin Solange expecting you? He asked in a congenial manner. Honestly, Zahra managed to get out, I think shes always expecting me... she dared a peek at his face, and was very aware...and fascinated by his eyes, which were darkening the longer he looked at her. His eyes perused her from the black curls peeking out of her lace cap, down her luscious curves, to her daintily clad feet, and then back up again to rest at her eyes. She blushed an even darker crimson, he had actually dared! My cousin will be down shortly. Please, do come in. She was just starting to think that maybe he wasnt so bad after all when he added, Youre letting the draft in... She lifted her chin and whirled by him in a swirl of luggage, skirts, and black curls. She bounded up the

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elegant marble staircase before he could irritate her further and cause her to do something she would regret.

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CHAPTER 11 With her back to him, Luke watched her bound up the stairs. She had left her luggage at the bottom, heading off to wherever she wanted, he supposed. She really did seem to be at home here. His cousin and the lady must have history, he mused. He wondered how long she planned on staying. Most ladies he knew would not come near the stairs to the bedchambers, let alone bound up them in a flurry of skirts. He didnt mind though, he had gotten a nice view of her swaying hips and stockinged ankles. He turned away from the stairs in disgust. She was a lady, for Gods sake. His cousins best friend, not some widow he could strike a convenient deal with. And he was definitely not talking about the leg shackling sort of arrangement. He needed to get to one of the hells... and soon. He sighed, meandering along the never ending hall. He had to survive the ball tonight first. He lightened up when he remembered that his mother had caved to his disapproving glances and agreed to attend a masquerade ball instead of a typical debutante one. Oh, this was going to be exciting all right, and if it wasnt, thats what he had come all the way from Wakefield for.

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CHAPTER 12 Ange shrieked when Zahra pinched her side. Zahra had been so stealthy about it that Ange hadnt even noticed until the last second. She was pulled into a hug when she turned around. Zahra let go after a while saying, I cant thank you enough Ange. Without this... I dont know what would have happened. I also cant believe how daft I was in thinking I should hide the extremeness of my problems from you! Will you forgive me for that? And oh, I ran into a complete stranger at the door, as in actually ran into! She giggled. And then groaned. Lord, Lucas had reduced her to giggles. Knowing only too well who Zahra could be talking about, Solange raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at her best friend. This...man, I presume, since you have been reduced to blushing...are you quite sure you havent seen him before? Am I really to believe there is a stranger walking my halls without me knowing and having to entertain him along with mother? She smirked. Very unusual for herself she thought. Internally, she groaned. Zahra must be rubbing off on her. Zahra, in confirmation to her thoughts, snorted. Ha! As if. You know exactly who I am talking about. Your cousin... now do get properly dressed, you should be entertaining him! Letting your cousin open the door to what couldve been anyone, in fact it was anyone. Worse, it was a lady! ME! In addition to that, he wasnt properly dressed for anything except lounging about in his bedchamber.... and you wouldnt believe what he dared to do to m- Ange interrupted Zahra before she heard too much. She started laughing. Truly laughing, until Zahra started laughing along with her, and until they both had tears streaming down their flushed faces. Stop... stop! Zahra tried to push the words out of her mouth, but
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they came out as breathless gasps. This only made Ange laugh harder. Since she was laughing so hard, her oxygen deprived brain demanded she stop looking at her laughing friend. Ange, heedless to her state of nap induced dishevelment dress yanked open the door and barreled into the hall. Her laughter, like tinkling bells, echoed in the corridors. When she finally regained her composure, she smoothed down her hair and went to Zahras room to use the dressing table. Because she knew that if she went back to her own room, where Zahra was, they would both start their fit of laughter again. Her grin threatened to explode into laughter and so she pinched herself. And nearly had a heart attack when she saw what she thought to have been a ghost. Oh! Oh, its only you. Dont do that cousin! You nearly stopped my heart! He looked at her, concern tightening his full lips into a thin line. Now cousin, why the devil are you pinching yourself? Are you trying to hurt yourself? How am I supposed to feel comfortable leaving my host and cousin to attend a party when Im not sure she can take of herself? Ange laughed at her cousins concern. No cousin, I was just trying to stop myself from falling into another fit of laughter with Zahr...Lady Zahra. She succulently smiled at him. And if you would please stop calling me cousin, I will convince Zahra to stop calling you Duke... He looked taken aback, but before he could open his mouth, she once again beat him to be the one to speak first. I see you flinch every time she calls you Duke. Dont try to deny it. Please, I mean it though, call me Solange. You are going to stay with us for the next few weeks are you not? Plus I overheard Mother and Father talking. They say that aunt and uncle are going back to Wakefield, but that you are to stay here until either the season is over or you are married. She
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raised her perfectly shaped eyebrow again, but this time at him instead of at Zahra. He scowled at her in return. You concern your pretty head with matters that do not concern you, Solange. He warmed up visibly when he said her given name. I would much prefer that you call me Luke. Its what my friends call me. I just came up to remind you ladies that dinner is to be served as soon as you come down. Your mother and father have chosen to eat in their study, something pertaining to Lady Zahras well-being... it was his turn to raise a pale blond eyebrow at her. She ignored it. If Zahra wanted him to know what had happened then it was her business. Not Anges. Thank you Luke, if you wait a few minutes, I can call Lady Zahra and you can escort us down. After our early dinner, we will bid you a temporary farewell to tonights masquerade ball. Before he could reply, she once again cut him off by walking swiftly back to her room. No time for laughing. She had to get herself and Zahra ready in evening dress for dinner... in five minutes.

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CHAPTER 13 After a few minutes had passed, Luke straightened his cravat, finger combed his hair, and adjusted his hastily tucked in shirt. Then he stopped. Who was he fixing himself up for? Aunt and uncle werent attending dinner. And he certainly wasnt fixing himself up for himself. He stopped his thinking. He was not going down that path. Fortunately for him, the ladies decided to make their appearance then. Luke softly whistled, giving them both appreciating looks. He looked away before they could notice, naturally. He would preferably die rather than give them the wrong idea. He politely offered them his arm, as he was still selfobligated to be gentlemanly towards them. He could smell Lady Zahras perfume. He inhaled a little deeper, helpless to the pull the sweet perfume had on him. It smelled like roses. He stumbled, almost tripping and pulling them all down the marble stairs to their ends. He felt his face heat. Instead of Luke being the hero and saving them, the ladies had tightened their holds on his arms, saving him from falling. He needed to get a grip: just because Zahras rosy perfume transported him to a time when he was a little lad running rampant through his real mothers envied rose garden didnt mean he could trip. He looked towards Zahra, intending to speak and ended up with a good noseful of her perfume when she turned around to look at him. He was becoming irritated by this point, the way either she or Solange always spoke before he got a chance to. So he slid his hand out of his cousin Solanges light grip and put a finger on Zahras lips. Completely out of line, but he really wanted to be able to speak for once without a lady having gone first. It was embarrassing, really, the way a lady always went before him, even in speech! Her delicately plucked eyebrows rose to her hairline. He cut her off speaking, Lady Zahra, would you please, for once, allow me to speak without you or
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Solange speaking first or interrupting? She nodded, a little confused. She must have heard his irritation. I was going to ask you ladies if you wanted to have a picnic in one of the more private parks a week from today, before I attend the ball on Wallace Street. I have business to attend that morning, but that should be over by the time lunchtime comes around. I feel like an ungrateful guest going to a party without my host and her guest tonight, so what do you say for next week? Solange beamed at him, clearly pleased that he was finally speaking in more than a sentence at a time. It wasnt his fault the ladies constantly had something to say...their mouths never seemed to close. He let his gaze wander to this specific Ladys soft rose colored lips. Her lips that were still under his finger. Luke felt Solange shift behind him, probably wondering what he was up to. He slowly let his finger trail down, using his thumb to rub her lower lip. Her lips slightly parted, which is what he had wanted. He froze, shocked; he hadnt even thought that! What was getting into him? He snatched his hand away, stiffly offered her his arm and started to head towards the dinner table again when he realized that Solange had disappeared. He turned towards Lady Zahra, ignoring the fact that she probably thought something had passed between them a moment ago. Did you see where Solange went? Did she head to dinner without us?

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CHAPTER 14 When Zahra saw the shutter fall over his eyes when he removed his finger from her lips, she was disappointed. She thought she had finally been getting somewhere, getting him to be anything other than polite. Apparently it wasnt too hard to irritate him, as it was irritation that led him to shush her with his finger. But that had turned into something else, something... oh what was she doing? She was reading far too deep into the moment. She hadnt even realized that Solange had deserted her with this man. She realized she was looking up at his with wide eyes so she looked away. There was something slightly dangerous about him. Dangerous and mysterious, the two qualities that should have sent her running. But no, instead she was in the same house as him, and right now even in the same breathing space. When he asked her something, it took her a few seconds to understand. It was like a slap to her face. He was pretending that absolutely nothing had happened a moment ago and was asking where Solange had gone. So Solange had given him permission to call her by her first name had she? Well, he wasnt going to get her first name that easily. She shrugged in reply to him and stormed past. She knew where the dining room was, and didnt want Solange getting the wrong idea about what was happening on the stairs.

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CHAPTER 15 So? Solange asked Zahra when they were back in her room after dinner and Lucas had left to the party. What happened after I left you lovebirds on the stairs? Zahra glared at Ange. How can you even call us lovebirds? We are at odds with each other most of the time. The only emotion I manage to bring out of him is irritation! I cant believe we agreed to have him take us on a picnic! Well most probably end with us at each others necks along with dessert. Ange grinned. Trust Zahra to exaggerate so. No silly, thats why Im coming along. Ill act as the chaperone. Ange! Hes not courting me! He probably is justis justoh I dont know what hes doing, but he isnt courting me! Whatever you say Was all she said in reply. Ange then turned off the lights. But not before seeing the blush that was slowly spreading across her friends face. Something had gone on when she had snuck away, leaving them alone. Zahra would have tied me to her had she known what I was planning to do, Ange thought. She smiled under the cover of darkness. Then she frowned. Where was Luke planning to go in the morning? Aunt and Uncle had left right after dinner, and so the only business he had now was to be seen at balls and such as a possible husband, like the one he had gone to tonight. She felt a pang of sympathy for him. He was too... too what? All Ange knew was that she couldnt imagine him at a ball, surrounded my frilly pink first season debutantes. And surrounded she knew he would be, with his stormy gray eyes, fine form, and pale hair. But not if she could help it. She wasnt entirely sure why, but she

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was determined to set her friend and her cousin together. And if she failed at being Cupid, then at least she wouldnt have to hear them bicker every time they were together.

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CHAPTER 16 When Luke awoke, the sun hadnt risen a sliver. He rubbed his tired eyes, unsatisfied with the meager 3 hours of sleep hed gotten after returning from yet another ball at around 2 in the morning. This wouldve have been the 3rd ball attended in a exactly a week. He groaned when he realized that he had another one today after the picnic with the ladies. He dressed in his coachmans clothes and went down the servants stairs to the kitchen. Imagine his surprise when he ran into another living person at such an ungodly hour. He silently cursed and tried to back away without being noticed, but it was too late. Lucas? Lady Zahra succulently inquired. What in the Lords name are you doing in the kitchen this early in the morning? He hung back in the shadows, praying that she went away soon and that she didnt walk by him. If she walked by him now, then he would have to answer her questions on his attire. And if she asked why, then he wouldnt be able to answer, not without ruining his mission, which truly wasnt even an option. Maybe he could distract her. She obviously was tired, as she had called him by his real name. It sounded nice, coming from her. He shook himself. Obviously he was tired too, if he was thinking that the way she said his name felt like a ray of sun warming the block of ice that his heart had become. He needed to get out of here, to get to headquarters, and be back without raising any more suspicion. He took a deep breath. Luke was overreacting, and he needed a calm head to get out of here. He started the process of getting out of the kitchen. Lady Zahra, its too early for you to be up. Youll be falling asleep at the park during our lunch picnic. Plus this isnt you staying at Solanges for a luxury trip. Im here to find a bride and youre here until you can get married. And this situation we are in is slightly compromising to our plans, if anyone were to find us like this. You for one arent
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wearing anything over your nightgown He raised an eyebrow and let his eyes roam her curves-which were nonexistent under her ginormous nightgown. But he pretended, the more convincingly he could play the rude ass and get her to go away, the better. It would probably bite him later, but he really had to go. He looked at her curled up form on the chair, and then chuckled. She had fallen asleep. Good to know, he thought, I bore her to sleep. He promised himself hed carry her to her bed if she was still asleep when he came back, in compensation for his rudeness. He quietly used the back entrance and set out to Londons Home Office to let the colonel know what he had found out so far. Colonel Kirkwoods office was no more than a long walks distance from his cousins house. It was the reason he had manipulated his foster parents into thinking that they should come here in order to get him married. While Lucas walked, he thought. Colonel Kirkwood had recently been tipped with the information that he was the target of the most troublesome criminal organization. Their guess so far was that the organization, Scorpion, thought if they murdered the Home Offices top officer that everything would go into chaos and they could pull a bigger crime by the time order was reestablished. But that was just an educated guess, and an educated guess was no better than a sleek and polished pistol without bullets and gun powder. And so he had been ordered to keep an eye out in this area for any Scorpion like behavior. They couldnt use any operative from this area because Scorpion would be expecting them. Plus Kirkwood knew that Luke would be the best person to do this specific job because it was the same reason Luke had started working for the Home Office. For revenge. Revenge for the death of his mother that had been ordered by Scorpion as a final mission for their oldest member: his father. Scorpion had believed that his mother; doll like, pale haired, pixie nosed,
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and hazel eyed, was withholding information from her husband concerning the whereabouts of Londons Home Office Headquarters. Luke grimaced. He had never understood why his parents had gotten married. In his mothers family, all the men were employed by the Home Office. And in his fathers family, mostly all the men and sometimes even women were recruited for Scorpion. Apparently evil did not discriminate against gender. By the time he knocked the secret knock on the basement door of the Home Office; the sun had dared to show itself and was slowly creeping up higher and higher in the brightening sky. He related what he knew to the yawning colonel in all seriousness, which wasnt much considering he hadnt gone anywhere other than Solanges yet. He knew somewhere deep down that it was wrong that he was using the ladies to help his purpose, but he was doing it anyways. Like this afternoon: he was planning on scouting the park near the waterfront, not enjoying a picnic. He would be looking for any of Scorpions newer members, or at least the ones the Home Offices spies knew about. His father, his real one, used to take him to any park around wherever they were. That was when his father was laying low in terms of working for Scorpion. Or maybe he was scouting for certain people too. Lucas felt his stomach coil tighter than his clenched fists with remorse. Why? Why had his father joined? He could have refused or dropped off the face of the earth. He claimed he fell in love with Mary, Lukes mother. He also had claimed that he was a changed man and would leave his familys ways if Mary did the same. They had lived together for so many years and then with Luke and it had been uneventful to the point that his mother had truly thought everything was all right. Lucas recalled all this while sipping his brandy that the Colonel had offered him, along with a seat to sit and think. Luke liked that about the Colonel, and it was what had first brought them together those days and months
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after his parents had been killed. They had both gone to the same park to get away from it all and think. And to this day they were perfectly all right with sitting in the same room and just pondering the funny ways of life. If it werent for the Colonel, Luke was pretty sure he would have been rotting in jail by now for petty crimes done out of anger and frustration. Through his spy work for the Home Office is also how Luke had met most of the titled men he called friends. They were the rest of his specific team. In each group there was a soldier, sailor, tinker, and spy. In his group, the members became fast friends yet shared almost nothing of their personal lives. What they knew of each other was only what was shared. It was secretive, but non judging. His team contained these people: Nate, the crowned regiments soldier; Robin, the sailor who doubled as a pirate in order to infiltrate the real pirates; Ethan, the inventor who traveled all over Europe trying to sell his newest inventions; and then Luke, as the spy. They had all started working for the colonel around the same time. The soldier, sailor, tinker, and spy were all also around the same age, as well as similarly ranked. So they were all either high up lords or Dukes. Lucas drank the last few mouthfuls of brandy in a hurry and stood up to leave. He had other responsibilities to attend to, more inquiries to dodge, and some criminals to spy on.

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CHAPTER 17 Zahra woke up aching. She couldnt understand how that had come to be. She was in her bed in the guest room at Solanges and in a night gown. Remembering her shadowy dream, she frowned, staring off into space while thinking. She had vividly dreamt that she had woken up very early due to night terrors and went to the kitchen for a cup of hot milk with honey. Strangely enough, the Duke had come down too, but dressed in a disguise. If she squinted just right, she could see that he was wearing a coachmans bedraggled uniform through her minds eye. She pondered that for a while and then put her hand down on the soft mattress to get off the huge bed. She winced and then gasped as the pain shot up her arm. She blinked back her tears and cradled her hand, remembering too late that in her so called dream she had burned herself right before Lucas came down. When he had come down dressed like that she had been distracted and forgotten about itbut it was real. And so that meant he had gone out somewhere dressed in disguise. And did he carry her back up to bed? Had she fallen asleep on the chair when he was still in her presence? She felt that dratted blush crawling up her neck and to her cheeks. Good Lord, she wasnt even wearing a night robeonly Solanges too big night gown. And her hair she sighed. It was only Solanges cousin for crying out loud. He didnt even have to have carried her upstairs; he could have just as easily summoned the butler. She giggled imagining Frankie the butler who was old and knobby trying to carry her up the marble stairs. She sighed once again. For someone who constantly put her teeth on edge, he certainly had his moments. Sometimes she found herself romanticizing, hoping that his rudeness was armor around his heart and the moments when he showed kindness, or even any feeling at all, were his true self. But if that were the case, who knew how long it had been
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since anyone saw him for who he truly was? She got ready pondering this, and then shoved it to the recesses of her mind when she went down to breakfast.

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CHAPTER 18 Solange was having an absolutely horrid day. She had woken up this morning to find that Zahra had already breakfasted with Lucas and were waiting on her to get an early start to the park. She had been irritated, because usually when Zahra was around, Ange told the servants not to wake them up, as they may have gone to bed very late at night. Since Zahra almost always woke up earlier due to night terrors, Ange depended on her like an alarm clock. Why hadnt Zahra come through the attached bathroom and woken her up? Then her day had progressed to worse. She had gone downstairs, nibbling on a piece of bread and cheese to find Zahra and Lucas in opposite corners of the library, pretending to be engrossed in their books. Like she didnt catch them stealing looks at each other when they thought the other wouldnt notice. Maybe they didnt, but she sure had. She was such helpless Cupid. She spread the feeling of love but couldnt really go anywhere without her bow and arrow. Which was what the picnic was for, but if they stayed this stoic throughout lunch then she would eat her hopes and dreams for dinner. Ange ended up doing just that- eating her hopes and dreams for dinner. Her best friend and her cousin had actually dared to ruin her picnic lunch. They were going to pay for that. They were also going to pay for being such arrogant asses. Zahra and Luke had sat on opposite sides of each other and reenacted the scene they had displayed in the library that same day. There was no hurry to get married or anything, but was it really that hard to get along like civilized ladies and gentlemen? She knew that Luke was quiet and broody by nature, but Zahra was talkative, friendly, opinionated, mouthy, sassy, witty, and the list just went on and on. Ange was so mad that she had stopped even trying to talk to them halfway through their simple dinner.
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Her mother and father had exchanged several significant looks over their dinner plates but Ange had feigned ignorance. She really wasnt in the mood. She had even gone to the extreme of excusing herself with a slam of her silverware on the table. She hadnt seen Zahra or Lucas since dinner, which had been 3 hours ago. Honestly, she was a little hurt. She thought Zahra would have come in by now to apologize, and if not that, at least to try and get her to crack a smile. Which wouldnt have been that difficult since all Zahra had to do was smile and anyone around her seemed to have no other choice other than to smile back. She tossed and turned trying to get comfortable enough to sleep. But it seemed like with every toss or turn she became more uncomfortable until the point came when she knew she needed to take a walk as Zahra was often prone to do. She put on her sturdier pair of boots, her longest coat over her night gown, a pair of mittens and set to take a moonlit walk in the gardens. She didnt really care that it was the middle of November or that it was the middle of the night in a garden where all the flowers had wilted and died. She needed the fresh air the same way a fish needs water. She craved a peaceful calm to settle over her the way a starved man craves food. She wandered aimlessly in the gardens for a while, until she started feeling the cold deep in her bones. She sighed and saw her breath dissipate heavenwards. She was going to get scolded thoroughly if she ended up catching a cold. She heard the crunch of dead leaves under a boot come from behind her. She froze, debating whether to stay still and hope whatever it was ran away or to run for the life of her and hope whatever it was didnt chase her. Before she could move a muscle though, she heard very fast footfalls on the crunching leaves. She had halfway turned around to face the animal when she was hit with a vicious blow to her temple. Her last thought before letting the darkness swallow her and her pain away was that whatever had
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attacked her owned a human fist, thus making it whoever attacked her instead of a what. Then the darkness sent her tumbling head over heels into a never ending abyss like the ones at the bottom of the sea.

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CHAPTER 19 Luke finished the paperwork he owed the Colonel later than he thought he would. He decided that the apology he owed Solange couldnt wait until morning and so he roused the will to get up and walk to the other end of the house where her bedchamber was. Being cousins made it convenient, he didnt have to worry about the rules of bedchambers and being upstairs around her because he knew she would never try anything. Lady Zahra though, he wasnt too sure about. He smiled wryly. He didnt think anyone knew what Lady Zahra was ever about to do. When he went to her room, he noticed that there were boot marks in the carpet from her room to the stairs. And then there were scuff marks on the tile downstairs to the garden door, as if she had been dragging her feet because they were too heavy for her delicate frame. He pursed his lips, either Lady Zahra convinced her to take a midnight walk through the dead gardens, or Lady Zahra was around his cousin too much for her own good. He thought it would be a good sign of familial concern if he waited on the couch for her to come back inside. He sure wasnt in the mood to freeze and get lost in the gardens in the cold and at night. He sat down and patiently waited. After the half hour mark, each minute grated at him. He was supposed to be keeping an eye out for everyone, it was his job, yet he couldnt even keep the women in the same house as him under control? He swiftly took the steps two at a time and knocked on Lady Zahras door, hoping she had the good sense not to look warm, cozy, or cuddly when she answered her door. He knocked again, hoping against hope that she hadnt gone on the walk too. When she opened the door, he was a cauldron of mixed emotions. Relief for not having to go looking for her too. Embarrassment, because around her he did have to follow those certain rules, which he most certainly was breaking some right now. And
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want. Oh that was a big one. She was standing there, this time in a night gown her size, all soft curves and black tangled curls. He shook himself out of it. Have you seen Solange? She isnt in her room and I think she may have gone outside for a walk in the gardens could you check and see if she is really not in her room? You do have easier access to her room than I do. He saw her reactions to each sentence as they sunk in her sleep muddled head. She ended with alarm. Ange? Something happened to her? Where is she? Yes, yes Ill check. She paused in confusion. How did you know our rooms were attached? She eyed him warily, and seemed to change her mind about asking that question. He knows everything. I wonder if he knows what color hair ribbon Im wearing tomorrow! Luke heard her mutter to herself as she hurried to check on her friend and host. She came back quickly, pale faced. Youre not lying! God, I had really hoped you had been mistaken. No ones been to the gardens in ages, other than the gardeners themselves. She seemed to become even paler as she pulled on her coat and boots. He noticed with growing alarm that she was dressing to come searching with him. You should stay inside Lady Zahra, in the off case she comes back inside. Its much too cold for you to go- Im coming and dont you even try to stop me Lucas. Her calling Luke by his given name startled him into silence. Which he assumed was what she was aiming for, seeing that her sly smile was growing by the minute. She pushed by him and raced down the stairs, not even noticing the boot scuff marks leading to the back door instead of the front. He cleared his throat, his eyes hazel and dancing with laughter. Lady Zahra, I do believe she went this way. He smoothly interjected when he reached the bottom of the flight of stairs. He turned on his
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heel and led the way out before he even knew if she had heard him or not. Luke had told Zahra not to come, and so it would be her fault if she couldnt keep up. When he stepped into the freezing air outside, all of his mirth vanished. Solange couldnt hold up much longer out here in this kind of weather. He would know; growing up on the streets of Leeds exposed you to all sorts of harsh weather conditions that he was used to, but Solange? No way. They needed to find her and fast. He picked up his pace, fearing that if he called out her name; whoever had found her would find him too. He had a terrifying gut instinct saying that it was who and not what had found his cousin. He may have a suspicious nature, but his instincts had never failed him.

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CHAPTER 20 Solange blinked back the fuzziness, and bit back a groan that fought against her lips. Her head throbbed with no mercy. She wanted to let out a frustrated moan. Couldnt whoever had taken her at least given her a blanket? She wasnt dressed for more than a few minutes worth of freezing weather, and this building was cold inside as it was outside. What had possessed her to take a walk at this time of night? She quieted her thinking when she heard voices. This is the wrong girl! Ange heard one whisper harshly. What do you mean the wrong girl? This is the girl who was living at the house! Yes but this one is blond! The one we wanted had raven hair, like her dead as a doornail father. She heard the sneer in the hushed voice and wondered how Zahras father, as she was sure they were talking about Zahra, could have anything to do with these monstrous thugs. She worried her bottom lip, wondering and fearing what they planned on doing to her. Should we take her back? Shes probably still out; she wont know what happened to her. Another man hesitantly added. Ange winced when she heard a thump and then a crash. Idiot! We arent going to give her back. This one is the cousin. Hed have come for either one of them. We were just going to kill two birds with one stone by catching Zahra and Lucas. But you morons messed the plan up. I cant wait to tell the Scorpion boss No please, sir, Ill do anything! Ill even stand guard over the girl while you get your sleep.

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As if, someone interjected, youd most probably ruin her by guarding her. Ange pushed back the bile rising in her throat. Please, dont let that man guard her. She debated letting them know if she was awake or not when she heard one man cry, Put the plan in action! Our Lukie boy is in visible sight! she swallowed her cries of protest. She had to get out of here before Luke walked into the trap, where she was the bait. Ange saved the swirling mass of questions to the back of her mind, stored for later, and tested her ties. She was tied around her ankles, her wrists bound to her hips, and gagged. Surprisingly, she wasnt blindfolded. She thanked her mother for letting her read adventuress books and followed the examples of favorite adventuress Angelina Ropewall. She silently shimmied out of the wrist ties and used her loosened up wrists to untie the rope at her ankles. She could make do with loosely tied wrists and a gagged mouth. She looked around, a little too wildly for her satisfaction. There! She spotted a doorand a dog dozing in front of it. She brightened. She was good with animals, they seemed to love her. She tiptoed over and softly petted the brown pelt, hoping against hope that the guard dog didnt bite her. She almost laughed when he rolled over and wagged his tail. She scratched his belly and creaked open the door. She frowned in disappointment. This was no adventure. Her kidnappers were obviously amateurs. They had left the door to outside unlocked and guarded by a friendly house pet. She snuck around, puzzling over the fact that there were no guards around the compound. At all.

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CHAPTER 21 When Luke could hear the noisy footfalls of Lady Zahra no more, he breathed a sigh of relief, assuming she was going to wait for Solange at home. He took out the pistol hidden in his shirt coat, wishing for something a little more deadly. He closely followed the wheel tracks, with a spys keen eyes. Lady Zahra wouldve thought him insane, walking in a random direction. Lukes keen eyesight paid off when he saw he was nearing a small compound. He looked at it, triumphant and befuddled. Why was there a fenced in residential compound in the middle of the forest that was accessible through Solanges garden? A flash of blond caught his eye and he peered through the iron fence, not daring to set off the alarm that was bound to be triggered by opening the gate. He gaped when he saw his sweet little cousin escape unharmed, slipping through the door of the main house in the compound. He tensed, expecting someone to notice. When no one noticed, be became worried. What were her kidnappers up to? He didnt believe this was it. When Solange saw him, her face lit up with hope, and thats when he saw she was very unsteady on her feet. She tried to smile reassuringly when she saw his face line with concern. He really was becoming attached to her, he mused. His cousins smile looked more like a grimace to Luke. Luke took the chance of following his hunch and opened the steel gate for her, unsurprised when no alarm went off. He untied her gag and sawed off the ropes bound around her wrist with his pocket knife. Then Luke slipped an arm around her waist, supporting Solange when she sagged against him. Poor Solange, he thought, this mustve been a terrible ordeal for her. She wasnt trained as he was for stamina, pain, patience, and shock. In fact, she probably was still in shock, and he sure didnt want to be around when she broke down in tears. Right then he was very glad that
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Zahra was staying with Solange. They continued through the dark forest and he lightened up when he saw the woods start to clear up, which was at odds with the way Solange suddenly stiffened and with a cry wrenched away from his arm and ran towards the last big tree before the woods fell away into her garden. He paled and quickened his pace to a sprint when he saw what she was trying to reach. Zahra, pale as a ghost, was bound brutally to the tree, the ropes visibly cutting into her arms, stomach, thighs, and ankles. On top of that there was a neat cut on her left side, from her shoulder to her wrist. Her coat was a heap by her feet, set there to tantalize her with its out of reach warmth. Whoever had done this was a monster. Attacking innocent women? It was becoming more and more obvious to Luke that whoever had done all this was actually after him. With that thought in mind, he yanked back Solange before she got any closer than thirty meters. Lady Zahra looked up through her bloody mess of black curls when she heard him curse profusely. The look of plea she gave him pulled at his insides, until the only thing keeping him from running into that trap was his iron grip on Solange. She whimpered, turning into his arms, crying into his shoulder. Who would do such a thing? Why arent you helping her? You cant hate her that much! She whisper choked in between her sobs. Luke held her closer. Whatever you do, Solange, do not walk to her, its a trap. Do you hear me? No amount of hate or love would stop me from helping her, but its a trap designed to snag me and kill me. He inched closer and closer to the cover of the trees while he spoke, trying to reason with/comfort his cousin. Luke looked over at Lady Zahra, who already looked paler. She would have been out here bleeding and freezing for about an hour! What could he do? Nothing in his training had provided him with an answer to this situation. It was why he always worked
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alone, and made sure his team mates were on different missions. Working solo meant no complications like this. He couldnt wait out his ambushers; Zahra would freeze or bleed to death. He quickly came up with a plan, not liking it one bit but having no other choice. He hastily whispered it to Solange, hoping she wasnt too far gone to help him. He needed her help to get this done! He gave her his pocket knife, thankful yet again that he always slept prepared for anything. Then he walked into the trap.

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CHAPTER 22 Solange was frightened, truly frightened. She had just been kidnapped, tied, and rescued. But now she was doing the rescuing. Her best friend was tied to a tree, bleeding all over; her curls that had sprung free of her hair tie were bloody too. Ange stifled another whimper with her dirt streaked hands. Luke had held her up while they had been making their escape and now he was gone, trying to save Zahra. She tried to steel herself up, ready to do her part, and mostly succeeded. She still sagged against a tree, but her resolve was firm. She started sneaking around the trees, pocket knife clutched in her fist. Luke was going to distract the bad men by walking right into their trap, while she was going to free Zahra from behind and get the hell out of there. Luke had figured that the bad men wouldnt realize they had known about the trap and would only be expecting them from the front. They didnt know about the experience he had. She pondered that for a minute, what in the blazes could he mean by that? He was a bloody Dukeright? She hurried on with a firm shake of her head and continued with grim determination. After all Zahra had done for her, being there whenever she was needed, Ange wasnt going to fail her friend now, aching head or not. By the time Luke walked up to Zahra, making calming rescuing noises, Ange was already working on untying Zahra. She tried not to make a sound when she heard the sound of a guns trigger being clicked into place. Luke could pull his own weight. She didnt know how, as he was a bloody Duke, but she guessed it was from his days before being adopted into her extended family. Her nails were bloodied by the time she could untie the first rope around Zahras waist. She sawed off the other ropes, sneaking around the tree to catch Zahra when she fell with a whoosh. Ange covered her friends mouth with her hand, smothering any noise she wouldve made. She
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neednt have worried, it seemed Zahra was unconscious. Ange felt the rage boil up inside of her, but pushed it back. Anger wasnt going to help Ange any right now, and she needed all the help she could get. She looked back at Luke, who had disappeared. Ange wanted to screech like a crazed woman at the turn of events. Where was Luke? She had just met him a week ago, but he had already found a place in her wildly thumping heart. She really hoped he was all right. She dragged Zahra along, willing her to wake up and carry some of her own weight. Zahra was taller than her, and heavier than her, even though she wasnt as curvy as Ange. Suddenly Zahras weight eased off of Ange completely and she wouldve shrieked if Luke hadnt put his finger on her lips. Shhh, Solange, its just me. Are you alright? I lost track of you two for a few minutes th- he was cut off with an oomph as Ange launched herself at his side that wasnt carrying Zahra, thanking every deity she could think of that he was all right. Then she noticed that his face was streaked with something slick. Luke! Youve got blood on you face, and your hands! Let me see! What happened? He wearily chuckled. None of its mine cousin, take it easy. I need both my hands to carry our unconscious lady friend here. We need to bind her wound; its too deep and too long for my comfort. Plus she needs to be warmed up fast. By the time Luke had finished talking, Ange had already taken off her coat and was ripping strips out of her nightgown to bind Zahras arm. Luke stopped, and carefully set Zahra down. Together they gingerly wrapped Zahras arm with the nightgown strips and wrapped her in Lukes coat. Luke rubbed her hands together, trying to get some warmth into them. His face was lined with worry.
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Do you know where we are? He asked her. Ange looked around. Damn it all to hell, but they had wandered deeper into the woods instead of closer to her home. I dont know how to get home from her Luke. I really dont. She paused to hold back her tears. But there is a cabin we could stay at thats right behind that clump of trees. Zahra and I discovered it once when we got lost out here when we were nine. Luke looked relieved, though she couldnt imagine why. The cabin was unusable and abandoned. Nevertheless, she got up and helped him pick up Zahra. He seemed to know what he was doing thus far, and so she would just trust him to be able to get them out of this mess.

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CHAPTER 23 Zahra tried to open her eyes but they felt glued shut. She couldnt feel any of her limbs; they were numb with cold. Her head pounded. Her arm throbbed. The uneven gait of whoever was carrying her didnt help either. She wanted to tell that person to slow down and let her walk but she couldnt open her mouth. She let the darkness swallow her up again.

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CHAPTER 24 Luke held back a whoop of joy when he saw the cabin Solange had so disdainfully mentioned. It may have looked nondescript and abandoned to her but to him it was the means of their survival in the freezing woods. He couldnt hear any water nearby but they would be able to last the night without it. He groaned in frustration at what he overlooked, yes they did need water: to clean Zahras wounds. He felt the familiar rage boiling in him. He shook it off, he needed a clear head to get them all out of there, and they were depending on him too. He set Zahra down on the single bed inside and took a look at the cabin. There were cobwebs in the corners, and dust on everything, but it was well built, meaning that it was free of rats and of cold air drafts. There was a single large bed in one corner, a table and two stools. In the other corner there was a firewood stove, a fireplace, and a bucket half filled with dirty water. He peered through the high window. The outhouse and log supply was out in the back. He set about cleaning the cabin. The dirt wouldnt help Zahras wounds. Solange gave him a funny look, but set about helping him. He did everything with a certain monotony, doing them because they had to be done. Plus they were the only things keeping him from screaming in agony over the bullet right above his hip. Walking to the cabin had only caused it to dig deeper into his flesh. He hadnt lied when he had told Solange that the blood on his face and hands werent his. They were the blood of the goons he had killed without a second thought. He hated that. They were people too and deserved a second thought. But he was too well trained for that. Thats what made him one of the best. When Solange found a match, she lit the lantern hanging on the ceiling in the middle of the cabin. It wasnt enough to light up the whole cabin, but it was enough to see the haggard face of his helper. He limped over, taking
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care that she wouldnt notice. He set his hand on her petite shoulder, guiding her towards the bed. At least the sheets were clean, he thought, he had experience with the unpleasantness of sleeping in dirty sheets during his other missions. She slept like a rock as soon as her head hit the pillow. While she dozed, he used the water in the bucket and a rag to wipe the dirt off his cousins hands and face. She was unharmed other than a few scrapes. He was kneeling by the bed because it pained too much to sit. He really should clean that up he thought. After, he resolved, after he cleaned up Lady Zahra. He carefully turned her so she was lying on her back in her sleeveless nightgown and his coat and unwrapped the makeshift bandages. He kept his mind clear and didnt recoil when he wiped the yellow infected area of her wound with water. The cloth came back pink and yellow. By the time he had her all cleaned, he had an alarming amount of bloodied nightgown strips by his feet. Just looking at her still pulled him at his core. How could he have let this happen? Someone from Scorpion mustve followed him home, recognizing him from the park. They would have been keeping tabs on him as the new Duke in town. He cursed himself for letting down his guard. It was just what Zahra and her rosy perfume did to him. He touched her good arm and then snatched it back. With a semi cleaned infected arm, she should have been burning up with a fever. Instead she was as cold as the dead. He quickly took that thought back. Her pulse was weak, but there. She had lost a hell lot of blood. That was all. He found an old quilt on the table and gently draped it over the ladies. He was too tired to clean his bullet wound. He almost laughed. The rescuer dying of a bullet wound. His adventure craving cousin would love it. Well, he thought, if he was going to die, he was going to die on the bed, warm from the other two. He really didnt care about propriety at the moment. Well, maybe he did a little. He was going to sidle in next to Solange when he
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heard Zahras teeth start to chatter. Good, he thought, she was conscious again. He sighed. She needed body warmth. He went to the Zahras side of the bed, gently pushed her over, and slid in next to her. He sank into the warmth of the bed, diving headfirst into a pain free sleep which a doctor would call an unhealthy state of unconsciousness.

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CHAPTER 25 Zahra woke up to find herself boxed in by warmth. On her right was Solange, who was curled up into a ball against her good shoulder. On her leftwas Lucas! He had turned to fit the contours of her body sometime during the night. She blushed to find that she liked it. Then the previous nights events came rushing back at her. She slowly lifted her injured arm, only to find that she couldnt. She tried to lift it again, whimpering when only her fingers twitched. Lucas was up in a flash, scanning the room. Then he doubled over and groaned, clutching his hip. He slowly lay back down and lifted his shirt a fraction. He knuckles whitened when he saw what he had let happen to his bullet wound. It was swollen and red, blood still slowly oozing out, along with a yellow sticky liquid. He covered it up, and looked at Zahras horrified face. Its not as bad as it looks sweetheart. He drawled. That didnt fool her. She could hear the pain laced into his drawl. She had become adept at catching pain in a persons voice when her grandmother had been diagnosed with joint pains. Her grandmamma would try to hide it from her only granddaughter, trying to stay strong. It never worked, as it didnt work now from Lucas. He saw it all flash through her face and dropped the act. Actually, he said, it bloody hurts like hell. But I can manage. What about you? You looked like death last night. He didnt seem to notice that she had a hard time coming up with words with him sitting so close to her. She furrowed her brow. In fact, he was also growing increasingly fuzzy she noticed with alarm. Lucas? She whispered, Why are you disappearing? He looked at her, his face a blank slate. She started to panic. When people hid their emotions, it usually meant something
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terrible. Lucas! Lucas, tell me! She whirled her head to look over at Solange, wincing at the sharp movement. Solange was finally waking up, and was groaning as she stretched. She had bruises on her wrists and ankles. Zahra shrieked when everything suddenly went gray.

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CHAPTER 26 Solange woke up groaning as every muscle in her body protested against moving. She jerked upright when Zahra screamed. Zahra! Zahra calm down, princess! Youre all right now! No ones going to hurt you, its just me and Luke! As an afterthought she added, You do remember us dont you? You havent lost your memory? She stopped when Zahra started pinching herself. Wake up, wake up, wake up dammit! She heard Zahra whisper. Luke caught her hands. Zahra, Lady Zahra. Look at me. Can you please do that? There was a certain roughness to his voice and Ange looked at him, surprised to see the pain clearly etched into his face. Then she saw his bloodied shirt, which was darkest at his hip. That was why he had limped yesterday! She had brushed it off as tiredness on her part, but apparently it was worse. Then she saw Zahra look over Lukes shoulder. Why wont she look at him? Ange wondered. It dawned on her, a painful punch in the stomach. Princess, would you look at me? Its Ange. Please look at me Zahra! Ange heard her voice crack. Why is everything gray? Why cant I move my arm? Ange dont leave me! Zahra cried when she felt the bed lift a little as the weight of her friend moved off the bed. She frantically looked around, willing the gray fog to disappear. She heard Lucas remorsefully whisper, God dammityoure beautiful eyes She turned on him. Whats wrong with my eyes? They are still there arent they? A cerulean blue? My grandmother used to say they would startle her every time she looked at me-
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Your eyes are still there Lady Zahra. But they are more of acloudy blue now. She sobbed as she realized what he meant. Ange had once told her that people with cloudy eyes are usually blind. She had read it in one of her adventuress books. She tried to move her arm, sobbing louder when it only moved into her lap instead of to her face. She felt someone take her stupid hand and guessing by the calluses-it was Lucas. He gently massaged her hand and then she felt Anges small hands smooth back her wild curls. I would never leave you Zahra, not for the world. Im here okay? Please stop crying, you know Ill start crying then too. And think of my poor cousin, he is probably wishing himself elsewhere, anywhere other than with our waterworks. It was too late. Ange felt the tears slide down her face. She gently wiped the tears off her friends face. Zahra was blind. She couldnt believe it. Zahra who had the most amazing blue eyes. And now they were the color of a foggy sky. She pulled Zahra into a hug, careful to avoid bumping into her bad arm. Come on Zahra. We need to get back home. The Zahra I know wont let something like this stop her. Come on, get up. She helped Zahra up, and looked back at Luke who was thoroughly in pain now. You better get yourself cleaned up now, Lucas. If you pass me your coat to wear, Ill give you the rest of my nightgown to use as bandages. Luke handed her his long coat, which would drag on the floor for her. Without letting go of the still crying Zahra, she put it on and then shimmied out of her nightgown. She smiled sadly. If it werent for the situation, she would be blushing crimson right now. Wearing nothing but a mans long coat. She held Zahra close to her, helping her walk to the outhouse and back. The chilly air had been replaced with a sunny morning that Zahra would have called marvelous had she been able to enjoy it. Ange

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cursed fate for doing this to Zahra. She must have muttered it louder than she thought because Zahra admonished her in between sniffles. Just because Im now blind another sniffle, doesnt mean Im hard of hearing too. She cracked a weak smile. At least my arm isnt completely useless. I think Lucass massage helped get some blood flowing again. And at least its my left arm. Think how bad it would have been if I couldnt write anymore. I would have gone madif I havent already. Ange hugged her best friend and was warmed when Zahra hugged back-using both arms. I wont ever let you go mad okay? I love you too much for that! Zahra smiled for the first time all day. Then scowled again. I look stupid smiling, dont I? I dont even know if Im smiling at the person who made me smile in the first place. Ange had nothing to say to that. They walked in silence, taking their turns in the outhouse, Zahra taking longer than normal. How much do you remember from last night? Ange asked Zahra on the way back to the cabin. Zahra replied in a flat voice. I remember walking back through the woods to wait for you in the house. I remember being grabbed and being tied to a tree with knots so tight I lost feeling in my limbs after no more than a few minutes. They took off my coat and leered at me in my nightgown. They tantalized me by building a fire far enough away from me that I could smell it but not feel the warmth. They threw rocks at me, missing every time on purpose. Then I think one of them accidentally hit me on the side of my head. He was beat severely for injuring me right away. Then one of them said, To hell with it, and came over to me. I was so scared, I thought he was he was Ange put a hand on her friends trembling arm to show that she understood.
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Instead he took out a pocket knife. He told me if he couldnt have me because his boss was going to, then at least I was going to go to the boss damaged. He took his time brandishing about the weapon. All the other men had gone silent. Then he sliced my arm like the cook slices open a fish. I think I blacked out after that. Even if I didnt, nothing was lucid. Zahra stumbled over a bump in the dirt. That stupid man and the other stupid mans rock! Ange spit out. If I ever come across them- If you ever cross paths with them Solange, you better run. Ange jumped, putting a hand over her wildly beating heart. Luke! You scared me! Again! He smiled apologetically and carefully took Zahras other arm, the one with the healing wound. I heard part of your story, I hope you dont mind. Im sorry Lady Zahra, I truly am. I shouldve never come here in the first place What are you going on about Luke? Solange inquired. This wasnt your fault. No matter how handy you were in that fight, or how calm you were when you walked into that trap, it wasnt your fault. Its obvious youre hiding something, but after what happened last night, I think its best we not know. Okay? Luke stared at his seemingly docile cousin, amazed once again by her. Thank you. He managed after a few seconds pause. He looked at Zahra, who had been quiet for a while now. Whats wrong? he asked.

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I dont think I want to know who you really are either okay? On top of that, its a marvelous morning isnt it Ange? I just didnt notice it before. Why didnt you say anything while I was moping? I didnt want to make you feel worse Zahra. Ange whispered guiltily. How in the world was she going to know what to say anymore around Zahra without making her pain worse? Ange was filled with determination, Zahra was going to live as normal as a life as she could. Ange was suddenly inspired, Zahra, would you like to be my official lady companion? I know thats a lower position than what youre used to, but I swear no one will treat you any different. That was you can stay with me for as long as you like. We wont have to keep it quiet either, there wouldnt be any scandal about Luke and you living in the same house, and I wont be as worried about you if I can see you every day. What do you say? She bit her lip, nervously awaiting a reply. Stop biting your lip Ange, I know you are. Of course Ill stay with you. Thank you. I dont know what Id do without you two. I dont think I could ever repay you both for saving me last night and helping me now. She squeezed both their hands, which they reassuringly squeezed back. When they cleaned up their bloody mess in the cabin and started to navigate their way back home through the woods it was around noon. Zahra kept a death grip on her two rescuers. She owed her life to them and every time she stumbled or tripped they tightened their hold on her. She was grateful but extremely hated the helpless feeling. She felt like she was in a dream version of reality. All she could see was gray, as if she were walking through a never ending fog. She had once thought death would feel like this, but her beating heart
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assured her otherwise. She tried to keep her mind blank but her wild thoughts kept returning to Luke. She really thought that after their terrible adventures she had every right to call him that. She secretly hoped he would call her Zahra in return. She quietly reveled in the feel of his strong arm in her hand. When she realized her nails were biting into their skin, she eased her death hold. She flushed when she heard Ange breathe a sigh of happiness. Zahra turned on Ange, accusing. Why didnt you say anything Ange? Im afraid of not being able to see, but I dont want to hurt either of you! Ive already caused you enough trouble. I didnt want to say anything Zahra, and would you please get it through that thick head of yours that you are my best friend, not some burden dumped on me? Im the one who asked you to stay with us! Ladies, ladies. You two are so busy bickering that you havent even noticed that weve stopped. Weve reached our long awaited destination in one piece, huzzah for us! Luke grinned at them teasingly, regretting it when he remembered Zahra wouldnt be able to see it. He was thrown off guard when Zahra smiled too, albeit ruefully. What color are his eyes Ange? All out hazel, stormy gray, or somewhere in between? My guess is somewhere in between. He sounded happy and a little teasing. She glanced in Anges general direction, pinpointing it when Ange burst out in unladylike laughter. Why Zahra, you had it exactly! Its actually turning more hazel as we speak. Hes actually embarrassed! She succumbed to another fit of laughter as Luke felt his aristocratic boned cheeks turn an even darker shade.

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I cant help the colors of my eyes! How did you know when my eyes change Lady Zahra? Even my closest friends took years to figure it out. Ill tell you if you call me Zahra. If you call me Luke, as my friends do. Luke retorted with a raise of an eyebrow, once again realizing the futileness of the gesture. He couldnt believe such a bad situation would bring him closer to his cousins friend. Bride hunting and gambling were the last things on his mind now. Why sir, are you implying weve become such close friends in less than a week? Zahra teased him, quoting his exact thoughts. You better believe it. He retorted. Zahra felt her insides warm inexplicably. His eyes are thoroughly hazel now arent they? She smugly asked her best friend. She felt Ange move to face her. If youre making faces at me I cant tell! Luke, tell me whats her face like? She felt her frustration building again when he chuckled. Luke! All right Zahra, shes gaping at you. Mouth hanging open and everything. Zahra smirked. So Ange are they? Yes, Princess, yes they are Do you feel with gracing us with your theory now Zahra? Lucas asked, a tiny bit irritable. How does a radiant, beautiful, blind lady figure out the trick of his eyes so fast? Well, she said, dragging it out. Ive met you before Luke, Im positive of it. Before you came to visit Ange, before you ask. I was five, maybe? She paused, and was met with utter
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silence. She frowned. Luke? Ange? Say something, otherwise Ill think youve left me alone! She turned in a full circle, not daring to take a step in any direction. Anges hand touched her arm, Im right her Zahra. Luke is on the other side of you. We wouldnt leave you like that. Zahra paused, waiting for Luke to speak. The story included him, after all. She was rewarded for her patience. Why dont we go inside and clean up before continuing this story? Lucas roughly suggested/commanded. Solange looked at him, Zahra not bothering when she knew she would probably end up staring at nothing anyways. They were both surprised by his unexpected emotion, but he was already striding through the backdoor, tossing his thoroughly ruined shirt to the butler who looked scandalized at seeing him take off his shirt in front of two ladies, one not even family. As if reading his mind, Lucas called over his shoulder, Dont look so scandalized old chap, Ive a bullet in me that needs to be more thoroughly cleaned and taken out. Fetch Dr.Grimble would you? And an eye specialist for the Lady Zahra. When Frankie, the butler, stared at Zahra confused, Solange came to his rescue. Shes blind right now Frank. We hope its only temporary but His eyes widened as he rushed to get everything done, his voice clipped as he barked orders at all the servants for baths to be drawn, fresh clothes to be set out, and extra maids for Zahra. When he was sure they couldnt see him, he smiled wickedly. Before they parted to get cleaned up, Zahra pulled Ange into a clumsy hug. Drat it! She exclaimed. I cant even give you a proper hug! She paused, pushing back the constant threat of tears. Thank you Ange, I truly mean it! And with that she was rushed off.
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CHAPTER 27 Luke, in the privacy of his room, let his feelings overwhelm him and punched the wall with all his might. Hed had no idea that the forlorn little girl he had given his piece of candy to was Zahra. No wonder she had seemed slightly enamored to him under all that sharp tongue he thought. She had recognized him from that one day. He remembered it all now in vivid detail. How could he not when that was the day before his father decided to go gun happy? The crime had been done after their extremely important guests had left. His father had given him a piece of candy for the first time in his life but he had been so happy with what his father had done for him that he had given the candy itself to the grinning girl. Sweet Angel was what he had remembered her by after she had left. She had been the last good thing to happen to him before his life fell apart, hence the Angel part of the nickname. Sweet because he had given her the only piece of candy he had ever known and she had given him the sweetest cheeky smile he had ever known in his short 8 years of life. After giving the little girl that nickname he had bathed, feeling icky with all the thoughts he was having. He had believed in cooties then, as did all his friends from Before at that age. His family had been doing pretty well then. They were on the way from rags to riches as his mother used to say. Shed had no idea how true that offhanded statement would become for him. How could she have? He was startled out of his painful thoughts when the doctor knocked. Luke had specifically asked for Dr.Grimble because he was the Home Offices discreet doctor always on call. Luke could even give his report to the doc to give to the colonel, which he did while he lay on the bed, fisting his hands against the pain of the now deeply embedded bullet being searched for and pulled out. He grunted when the doc grimly poured disinfecting alcohol onto
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the wound. Grimble tsked when he saw Lukes bloody knuckles. Control, Duke, you need to learn control. What possessed you to punch your worn knuckles bloody? Lucas gritted his teeth against the pain of more alcohol, unable to speak. Which he guessed was the point with the snide in the docs voice. Dr.Grimble generously poured a second time onto the bullet wound in his hip and Luke passed out with the pain, but not before hearing, These bloody young spies, cant even stop for a minute to care of themselves!

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CHAPTER 28 Zahra hung her head, and pushed back the surge of tears that clogged her throat for the hundredth time. Theres nothing you can do? Its permanent? I wont ever be able to see again? Its forever to be wandering aimlessly in this gray fog? She managed to push out of her throat. Her voice sounded worse than normal, scratchy and raw. Her limbs were weary, her left arm bandaged by the doctor. Solange had left for bed when the eye specialist had come for Zahra. Im sorry milady, but theres nothing we can do. Your brain was damaged when the rock was thrown at your temple. The only way anything might change is if you are attacked in the same way with the same force, which is highly unlikely and very dangerous. Youll be seeing different shades of gray. It wont be as bad as you think. You obviously have good friends to take care of you, and there are arrangements that can be made. Right now I have a walking stick with me if youd like to try it. She wearily nodded and got up. She couldnt move without someone helping her, otherwise she lost her balance or tripped on something. But instead of offering him his arm, the eye specialist gave her what she assumed was the walking stick. She waited for instructions. Just hold it out in front of you milady and use it to feel around you, like your hands would. Its going to be harder for you to adjust because this isnt something you were born with. But as time goes on youll notice your hearing and smelling to be more sensitive, in compensation for your lost sight. She let herself smile a little, liking the way he said that. My lost sight. She said. She liked that a lot better than my sight that was ripped from me when my assaulters threw rocks at my head. She had wanted to tell the police
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straightaway but Luke had said to trust him and that hed take care of it. Of course she trusted him, she had thought. He had saved her life. She used her cane after the eye doc excused himself and left, testing it to move around her room, first cautiously but then with growing confidence. She brandished it like a weapon, except the only thing she looked like she was threatening was the floor. She allowed herself to laugh a little then, pleased that she was gaining some independence back. She walked out of her room, holding her other hand out to feel the wall on her right. She was so caught up in putting one foot in front of the other without actually seeing it, that she didnt hear the person in front of her until she bumped intohim. Im ever so sorry! She cried when she heard his breath startled out of him as he was knocked to the floor. She toppled when her cane was thrown out of her hand by the impact and landed on top of whoever this man was. She felt her face heat, Lord above; she wasnt going to be able to get up! Whoever she had bumped into seemed to realize this too and slowly disentangled himself and then helped her up. She stood there, regaining her composure and then asked for her cane. It sort of flew out of my hand when I bumped into you sir. Could you grab it for me please? He chuckled. Really Zahra, sir? And if I dont get it for you? She flushed a deeper crimson when she realized she had just fallen on top of Luke. She opted for the truth, knowing it would hit him the hardest. If you dont grab me my cane Luke, I will be stuck here unless someone offered me their arm. Which no one will because no one wants to spend all day with a blind lady, now do they? She heard him stutter and felt a wicked grin spread across her face. My, she thought, losing my sight has made me bold! Luke laughed when he saw the minx give him a wicked
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smile. He suddenly had the absurd notion that he should kiss the wickedness right out of her. He wanted Sweet Angel back, he realized with a slow smile. He wanted it bad. Luke offered her his arm, guiding her clueless arm to it. Her mouth became a perfect little o when she realized that he planned on dragging her around with him all day. She tried to protest but he put his finger on her lips, the same way he had a few days ago. It felt like eternity had passed since then. He stooped down, until he was face to face with her. He knew she could sense where he was because her cloudy blue eyes widened and her breaths became short little gasps. He dared himself to continue. Im betting my eyes to be pure hazel about now. He silkily whispered in her ear. When she tipped her head back to try and locate his face, he nuzzled the soft spot in between her neck and shoulder. And nearly undid himself in the process. She still had the heady rose scent clinging to her skin. She slightly arched against him and he pulled her against him, so glad that she was safe, if not completely sound. He told her so and unsurprisingly, he was thrown off guard when the fox stretched herself onto her tiptoes against him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Thanks to you, my hero. She teasingly whispered back, tickling his ear with her soft, sweet whisper. He could feel every curve of her body, and his arms were around her small waist. He hugged her tight and then remembered that they were in the hallway. So he unhooked her arms from around his neck, ignoring the little pout she was giving him, and led her ever so carefully down the stairs and into the study, where Solange was waiting for them after taking her catnap. If she noticed the new radiance in Zahras face or the glances Luke found himself sneaking at Zahra, she didnt say anything. He had noticed that Zahra never
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wore bonnets, only hair ties and ribbons during those furtive looks. He wondered if there was an exception for that because she was blind. He had fallen in love with those raven curls. At 8 he had thought it was funny naming a black haired girl, Angel, but he had anyways. He mentally prepared himself for a retelling of that day, through Zahras once functioning eyes. When Luke looked up wanting to see Zahras face when she told the story, he noticed that Solange had fallen back asleep in her chair, curled up like a kitten. So much for a catnap, he wryly thought. But he was relieved that Solange wouldnt find out about his past just yet. He was slightly remorseful for not being completely honest with Zahra and letting her think that Solange was listening, but he couldnt afford his sharp cousin putting all the little details into a bigger picture. She might even have the wit to uncover his spy secrets. And that was just something he couldnt afford to let happen. He stiffened his spine, putting his guard up with what Zahra was saying. She was now talking about the little boy who had given her his piece of candy. She abruptly stopped and looked up. Solange is sleeping isnt she? Oh well, I guess thats all right. Id like her not to hear this specific story either, which is why you didnt tell me or wake her up I presume. Luke guiltily looked away then defiantly looked back at her beautiful face. She wouldnt know what he did anyways. To his surprise she felt her way around the desk and sat in the vacant chair next to him. She raised her hand to touch around his jaw and then whispered, Dont do this Luke. Dont feel bad for me. Its my problem to deal with and I will. Please dont torture yourself in silence just because I wont be able to tell what youre feeling when. Did you know my grandmother used to do the same thing as you? She would sit there hiding her grimace trying to act strong, when in reality that was wearing her down faster that the pain itself. Zahra then
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seemed to realize that her hand was on his face and she hastily snatched it back. She looked around anywhere but his face, which was all right for him, because now she wouldnt sense the little tear she had opened in his heart. He was a goner, he thought. She had completely and utterly melted the iciness of his heart. He cleared his throat and gruffly told her to continue with the story. My smile was always known to be contagious, and that day I tried my damned hardest to make you smile too. When I did that, I wanted to hear you laugh even more than see you smile, but my mother dragged me away before I could. You tortured me that night by laughing as I left, haunting me in my dreams for a full year. She blushed then, obviously cutting something out of her touching story. I nicknamed you that day. Luke roughly interrupted. Sweet Angel. I thought it was funny as a lad because your hair was so dark. It was also the last good thing He broke off, not wanting to share that much yet. She seemed to understand that and looked away. He could see the hurt painfully obvious on her face. He yearned to finish his sentence but found that he couldnt push the words out. He took her hand instead. He rubbed his thumb in lazy circles on her wrist, delighting when her pulse stepped up a beat. When he looked up, he saw that Zahra was looking at the floor, her face a soft pink. He tipped her chin up and told her, I cant find myself to tell you that specific memory. Yet. But I promise you that one day I will. Zahra stayed quiet, not wanting to break the sweet moment they were actually sharing. She continued with her story, After staying at the inn we went to my grandmothers house and watched her die. I was made to hold her hand the entire time. My mother called me strong, my father called all who
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made me do that foolish. My father loved me a great deal more than any other person. Including my mother. Almost 10 years later they left, they both did, and no amount of love eased the pain that they had left me here. Zahra was chagrined to find she was leaking again. She sniffed. Im sorry! She shakily smiled, I seem to be nothing but a water fountain ever since my grandmother recently died. He shook his head, holding her hand a little tighter. Dont be sorry, its unhealthy to hide your feeling for too long. Id know. With that dark sentence he untwined his fingers with hers and stood to leave. Luke- He looked down at her petite frame and was thrown off by her look of embarrassment. He wondered if she regretted holding his hand, and that thought was like a punch in gut. Yes Zahra? He replied in clipped speech. She looked taken aback and he concluded that she did not regret holding his hand which was a balm to his pride. She even held out her hand expectantly. He smiled self depreciatingly when he realized that she needed help to go anywhere. He had left her cane on the floor and promised to take her with him all day. He didnt know if he could handle that after this but promised himself to be the perfect gentleman. He inwardly berated himself for letting himself go soft on any woman. Nothing could happen between them. Not with his secrets and her curiosity. She would never let his past remain in the dark, but for some reason he looked forward to one day sharing them with her. He stopped in his tracks, with Zahra on his elbow. Is everything all right? She kindly asked, sending the scent of roses to his head. He took a deep breath, enjoying his mothers garden once again before replying,

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Are you sure you want to come with me today? Can you handle that? She bristled at his hidden challenge. If you dont want me to come along Lucas, just say so. Id understand. But you already gave me your word. So I will follow you around like a lost puppy until the day is done and you give me back my cane. He smiled devilishly. Youd even follow me to my bedchamber? She blushed, as he expected, and thumped his chest. He merely grew more amused.

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CHAPTER 29 Zahra hit Luke in the chest, that being the best place where she couldnt miss. She hesitated when he put his hand on top of hers and bent so that they were face to face. She blinked back the wetness gathering behind her eyes and wished once more that she hadnt had to give up seeing his wonderful changing eyes. She would do anything to see them one last time. She snapped out of her wishful thinking and sharply retorted, I wouldnt know which room we were in because I havent walked this whole house blindfolded. And even if you took me to your room... what do you think youd do to me? Im blind Lucas, and it takes two who are able to see to play the games youre thinking of. She smiled, albeit wickedly. He gave in to his laugher, and she knew that his eyes would be a thorough hazel. Are you sure about that sweetheart? He rakishly drawled in a mockingly seductive whisper. She sighed dramatically, not liking the true longing in her sigh. Youre too much of gentleman to let me find out anywayshmm Lucas? She couldnt help the girly laugh that slipped from her mouth. She yelped in surprise when he jerkily started dragging her up the stairs. She started to panic. Luke? I was only making fun with you. I will not own up to any of my words He merely chuckled, pulling her into the doorway and then closing the door behind him with an audible click. She gulped and then toughened up. He was going to tease her? Well then so was she. She followed the contours of his room with her hand on the wall, taking her time not to trip over anything. She could feel his gaze on her as she travelled the length of the room. She smiled. This was going to be fun.

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CHAPTER 30 Luke dropped his heated gaze from Zahras lithe form. She was a little tease and she knew it. He walked over to the cozy bed and plopped down. He reclined on it watching to see what Zahra would do next. To his utter surprise she walked right up to him, and reached out. He took her by the waist and plopped her down right next to him. She looked unsettled and then composed herself. He wanted to laugh, to see how far she would take this. He twined his finger through hers. If this is what you have planned for me, Luke, then I wouldnt have had the doc give me the cane at all. She tried to say it with a straight face but ended up falling back on the bed, shaking with laughter. Oh Luke, now really, can we do something productive with our day? Id really like to know how it feels to go about a normal day being blind. He sucked in his breath, she was painfully blunt sometimes. He leaned over her, almost hovering, indecisive about what he should do. He nuzzled her cheek and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek. He turned to get up; missing the look of longing that crossed her face. Is that all she would be destined for? A chaste kiss on the cheek? He hauled her up and cradled her face. God, Zahra. Sweet Angel. He rasped. Before she knew it, that longing filled whisper wrapped itself around her heart and made her feel warm all over. She looked into his face, hoping that it was where she thought it was. Luke pulled her warm body next to him into a hug and walked her out of the room before he did anything he couldnt walk away from. He scoffed at himself. He didnt think he could walk away from Zahra with a gun pointed at his head. He was falling for her and he regretted it with all his heart. He only hoped that she had the good sense to not fall for him too.
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CHAPTER 31 Solange woke up feeling disorientated. She was alone in the library, or so she thought. She could hear someones voice, and it was loud and angry. She hoped with all her heart that it wasnt Luke yelling at Zahra. No, she thought. Luke was too good hearted to yell unjustly. She silently followed the voice to the last bookshelf in the giant library. It was Frankie the butler. What was he doing out here? He was talking to himself, crunching a note in his hand. You imbeciles! Put the next plan into action! We havent much time until the bloody spy goes back home. Plus the ex-spys daughter will find a husband and move far away any day now! It will be so much easier for you morons to catch her now; shes blind for Gods sake! He whirled around, shock filling in his drawn features when he saw Ange half hiding behind the bookshelf. She felt her eyes go wider by the second and then whirled around, running for the doors. She screamed at the top of her lungs, hoping Luke hadnt gone anywhere. LUKE! HELP! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME! Her screams were abruptly cut off when, once again, she felt a vicious blow strike her head. She toppled over, Frankie just managing to catch her by her dress. You meddling bitch! He snarled. No matter, you just helped me put the plan into action sooner. He cackled then and it chilled her to the bone. When he realized she hadnt lost total conscious, he brutally slammed her already bruised head into the wall.

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CHAPTER 32 Frankie gave a satisfied grunt when Ange became nothing more than a dead weight. He intricately tied her to the desks chair, but in such a way that anyone who came by would only think that she had fallen asleep while working on something. He chuckled. The poor darling hadnt suspected him at all, not until that last moment. He felt no remorse. She had looked up to him like an uncle, always there for her whenever her parents abandoned her for parties and such, which was quite often. What he had just set into action was much bigger than her silly faith in him. Never trust someone you rank higher than, he thought.

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CHAPTER 33 Luke broke into a sprint when he heard a shriek. It could be a mouse that had scared a servant, but he sure wasnt going to take that chance. He left Zahra at the door, her light blue shawl in hand. They had just been about to go out on a walk outside, as something to do until Ange woke up. The snow had all melted, but it was still a chilly winter day. He heard Zahra call after him, Luke? Whos screaming? LUKE! He didnt turn around, using every second to get closer to the library doors, where he was sure the scream had come from. He opened the door, scanning the library. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Ange reclining on the desks chair. He never saw the blow until it was too late. He fell into the murky abyss, Zahra the last thought on his mind before he succumbed.

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CHAPTER 34 Frankie laughed. This was childs play! And here he had thought that the Duke spy would prove a decent challenge. He looked at the bigger man in disgust. Luke had let his affections towards the two women put his guard down. He quickly altered his plan, everything was moving so much more to in his favor than hed thought possible. Now he had to lure the blind lady into the library. First he bound up Lucas and threw him under the desk, where Zahra wouldnt trip on him. Then he fixed his attire and walked out of the library to attend his superior.

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CHAPTER 35 Zahra fidgeted, not knowing what to do. Today was Sunday, and all the servants were on holiday. Except Frankie, who stayed with Ange as a guardian whenever her parents were out of town. She whirled when she heard footsteps, but quickly categorized them as too slow to be Lukes, and not fast enough to be Anges. Lady Zahra? She heard Frankie call out. What are you doing standing in front of the door? Are you waiting for a coach or shall I call one for you? She sagged in relief, Frankie would call for help. Oh Frankie! Luke and I were about to go for a walk when he heard a scream and went running off to see who it was! Did you see anything? Wheres Ange and Luke now? She stopped herself from babbling into hysteria. She heard him come closer and then felt his arm snake around her shoulders. Dear me, is that right? No Im afraid I did not hear anything of the sort. But Ill come and look with you. I must say, Lucas and Solange are quite the rascals, are you sure they are not playing a joke on you? Zahra hesitated, Frankie could be right she realized he was taking her to the library and stopped. Are you armed Frankie? She whispered. Whoever was in there might still be! I doubt anyone is in there. He replied, amused. He chuckled and Zahras blood started to boil. Frankie, I assure you that my hearing has not left me too. He solemnly nodded his head.

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Of course, milady, I did not mean to offend. Do forgive me. She couldnt see the scowl etched into his face. When he led her through the door, the eerie quiet felt wrong. She glanced around, once again willing the impenetrable gray fog to lift from her eyes. She halted when Frankie extracted his arm from her killer grip. Frankie, whos in the library? Could you check for me please? He chuckled, a dark menacing sound. She suddenly had goose bumps prickling her arms. Frankie came closer to her, putting his hands on her hips. She was so startled; she almost tripped when she tried to scramble away. That only made him tighten his grip. Frankie! What do you think you are doing? She tried to pry his hands off and felt fear crawl up her spine when he pulled her flush to him. He rubbed the goose bumps from her arms, firmly refuting her attempts at escape. LUCAS! SOLA- She was cut off when Frankies mouth came crushing down on hers. His hands had clamped down on her arms, painfully stopping any struggle she tried to put forth. Zahra didnt understand what was happening. Frankie was like an uncle to her, what in the name of God did he think he was doing? When he tried to do something with his tongue, she bit his lip. HARD. He wrenched himself away and rubbed his lib with his hand. Want more? He leered. She swallowed down her somersaulting stomach and turned from his grasp, feeling her way away from his disgusting mouth and into the bookshelves. She tripped so many times; she realized that had he been trying, Frankie would have gotten her by now. She started worrying about Luke and Ange. Where were they? Were they alright? She smacked the tears from her cheeks, wishing back to the day before everything had changed. Ange had been right there with a handkerchief. Zahra tried to scream when a hand clamped over her mouth. How ironic, she thought, when she realized that the hand had a handkerchief
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pressed into it. The handkerchief smelled sickly sweet though, she thought, before everything went white and she fell to the floor.

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CHAPTER 36 Frankie scoffed. Truly, this was childs play. He was tempted to untie Luke and see what hed do when he came to. But he couldnt risk it. Too much was at stake. If he failed this, then Scorpion would kill him and reappoint someone else as leader. This was the biggest mission Scorpion had ever tried to pull off. He let himself think back to how it had all started. He had been slightly younger, all muscle and energy. Hed quickly befriended two men after joining the criminal organization. Their names had been Jonathan Sinlavs and Robert Byrne. The trio had quickly risen to the top and were widely feared. Jon, Rob, and Frank. The three of them had been a great team, until they each had a solo mission. It had been their last mission before everything had gone awry. Jon had failed his mission in the country, after falling in love with a woman from the family of the Home Office. They had a baby boy not a year after their marriage. Next, Rob had failed his solo mission in London by falling in love with a woman too, also from the wrong side. The lovebirds had eloped and secretly married, giving their baby girl a legal father. Frank had stood by the whole time, not believing his closest companions had betrayed them all with a snap of their fingers. However, they had all kept in touch and visited frequently, their bonds overcoming their differences. Then Frank had been overjoyed to find that Scorpion had recruited both men once again for one last mission, a diamond heist. Apparently the other men had not been so pleased. Jon Sinlavs had told his wife everything and they both agreed that the only way they could control their future was by ending it. They tearfully left their son, putting him in the care of their highly titled friends, thinking that Scorpion would have nothing to do with their 8 year old son if they were dead. Rob had reluctantly agreed to the heist, but couldnt take any more jobs after that and fled to South
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America with his wife 10 years later, leaving his 15 year old daughter in the care of his mother in law. Rob had seen that nothing had happened to young Lucas and had prayed that Scorpion would show the same disinterest to his daughter. He had tried to wrestle a promise from Frank to protect the two children but Frank had adamantly refused, telling his only friend left to stay and live it out. Thought Frank hadnt promised anything, he had kept tabs over both children, watching the kids of his two favorite men grow up into adults themselves. They had no idea whatsoever what had truly happened to their parents. He knew that Luke had grown up thinking his father mad and suicidal and then as evil and cold hearted, while Zahra thought hers noble but abandoning. Frank selfishly let them suffer on behalf of their parents. Frank had seen his favorite men grow soft and tired of the bloodshed and had stayed far from love himself. This was the only life he knew and wanted. Then there had been the mission where he had been shot in the knee, ending his association with Scorpion as a fighter, but gaining status and fighting his way to leader. Over the years his knee had healed until there was nothing but a slight limp, but by then his age had stopped him from rejoining the assassins and spies. He had been leader of Scorpion the last 4 years, spreading terror and havoc worldwide. He was very proud of himself. His only regret was not noticing that Lucas had joined the ranks of the men in the Home Office. The man had followed in his mothers footsteps. Frank was yanked back to the present when the very boy he was thinking of moaned and tried to open his eyes. Frank quickly ran to the desk and scribbled a note for his minions for the stable boy to send for. Just to be on the safe side, Frankie kicked Lucas against the desk, smiling when Lucas head predictably hit the hard wood. In a quarter of an hour, his Scorpion minions had arrived. He hadnt bothered making any more friends in the business after the
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first two times. So now every person in Scorpion was considered a minion. His burly minions hefted their baggage over their shoulders and dumped them into the carriage waiting outside. They brought two hard chairs with them, to tie Luke and Zahra to. Frankie smiled to himself, today really was a day for smiles. His friends had been so wrong to think their actions would go unpunished, and the only way to punish a dead man and an untraceable one was through their precious children, whom they had so lovingly abandoned. He had decided on the spot that he would leave Ange behind. She had only been bait, and he wouldnt take up any problems against her unless she tried to interfere. He had no problems with her parents, only Luke and Zahras.

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CHAPTER 37 When Solange awoke, it was to a swarm of maids around her. She groaned when her pounding head sent signals to her muddled brain. What happened? She managed to croak out. She was grateful when Cook poured water down her parched throat. Milady was out cold for four days! We tried to rouse you but the doctor said to let you rest. Dr. Grimble also mentioned not to mention this to your parents until you awoke with further instructions. He threatened us if we disobeyed him. Cook was going to continue her rant, wide eyed, when Ange stopped her. Alright, alright. She hauled herself up, letting her muscles revel in the stretch. Where are Zahra and Luke? She asked, feeling like a horrible hostess leaving them to fend for themselves. When the servants exchanged looks, she jumped up remembering. Oh my goodness, she had been knocked out! Luke had probably coming running to help her if he had heard her screams and Zahra mustve followed close behind. She looked at Cook who held a note in her outstretched hand. Frankie left this for you, saying that no one should read it but you milady. She recoiled at the name. Frankie is a son of a We know. The servants replied as one. Ange looked up, startled. You did? We thought you would never notice milady! Cook sheepishly answered. Ange blushed but became pale as she read the note Frankie had left her. She read it again.

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IF YOU EVER WANT TO SEE LUCAS AND ZAHRA AGAIN, YOU BEST NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT WHATS HAPPENING. I AM PLANNING TO GET RID OF THEM BY THE NIGHT OF THEIR FOURTH DAY OF CONFINEMENT. WITH ALL THE TIMES I BANGED YOUR HEAD ON THE DESK, YOU SHOULDNT BE AWAKE UNTIL THE FIFTH MORN. YOUR EXBUTLER, FRANK. Ange dropped back onto her bed, devastated. How was she supposed to find Zahra and Luke? She unfolded the note all the way when Cook politely coughed and pointed it out. HOWEVER, YOU MAY GIVE THEM A PROPER BURIAL. YOU WILL FIND THEM EXACTLY WHERE THEY DIE, IN THE CAVE BEHIND ST.VALENTINES WATERFALL. She crumpled the paper into a ball. How dare him! After all these years of serving her family, he betrayed her like THIS?! And his audacity! To automatically assume that she wouldnt wake until they were dead. He was an overconfident bastard and would pay severely. But she paused, he probably had spies in her own household telling him her every reaction. Who in her household staff had been hired under the butler? She conferred with Cook and then detained all the men and women who had been hired under him, which were the cooks assistant, one of the house maids, and the stable boy, in the supply closet. They all protested and started to cry until she reconsidered and bound and gagged them. Then she set out to finding all the weapons she would need to free Luke and Zahra, with instructions for Cook to send for help if she did not return within the next day.

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CHAPTER 38 Zahra tested her ties once again, hoping by now theyd have come a little looser with all the tugging she had done on them. Dont try Zahra; youll only dislocate your wrists. Her boiling anger finally exploded after four days of being cooped up, with one glass of water and one meal a day, she was being told to stop trying? What Luke? Are you giving up already? Youre a bloody coward! If we stay here one more night I swear I will die! Frankie even said so himself the first night when you were still out cold. He was imposing and ruthless in bounding us to our chairs in this dank and dismal cave, it was as if he could see through the pitch blackness. He laughed and ki...kis...kissed me and told me that we had four nights to live until we die. Do you hear me Luke? He tol- The man kissed you? Luke softly interrupted. The bloody man kissed you? Did he do anything else to you when I was asleep like a damn baby? Zahra instantly regretted her words. Her anger disappeared when she heard the self-loathing in his voice. Luke, it wasnt your fault! He bloody whacked you in the back of your head then threw you under a desk! So what? He tersely replied. Ive been through much worse and still come out successful. Look what happened to you! Youre first kiss, I presume, was forced on you by an old man who is a bloody villain! Luke heard his voice steadily rise until it was a shout. After four days in this blasted cave, he could just barely make out the shape of Zahras cowering form. He had scared her, blast it! After all she had been through; she was scared of his raised voice.
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Dont yell at me. She whispered. How was I to know that he was a villain? That he would kiss me? That he would drag and dump us here? That he would drug us to sleep for four days? That he would kill us tonight? That he would drug Ange for even longer so that she couldnt try to call for help? Its not my bloody fault, so dont you dare bloody get mad at me! Luke smiled, despite everything, because she was still as stubborn as always. Im- he stopped his sarcastic retort/apology at the sound of crunching gravel. He turned to Zahra as she drew in a short breath. It cant be Zahras mind was whirring. She had gotten good at determining who was who according to their footsteps, and the ones that were rapidly coming towards them definitely sounded like Anges, but Ange was drugged asleepwasnt she? Luke? Zahra? A tentative voice called out. It was lilting and musical, strained by fear. Ange! They both cried out. What the hell are you doing here? Luke hissed, his relieved joy turning into worried anger. Saving you, dummy! Anges worry turned into relieved teasing. They all turned anxious when Zahra asked, How dark is it outside Ange? Ange tried to reply but had to clear her throat several times, I know the predicament, Zahra, Frank spilled all in his letter to me thinking that I wouldnt read it until it was too late. We probably have a quarter of an hour to get out of here before Frankie shows up to get rid of you as he says it. She jumped when she heard footfalls outside. No! She hissed, her frustration making her speech clipped. That cant be him, he
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mustve sent out a scout to make sure all was clear! With that she slid a knife towards Zahra and unpocketed Lukes pistol that she had found on his nightstand in his room. Im going to need this... She muttered. Before Luke could object, she was running out of the cave, cocked pistol in hand. Zahra was blindly reaching for the knife and he tried to help her. A little more to the right Zahra. She glared at his voice, but got the knife. As she cut free her ropes, she defended herself, Did you know because Im blind Luke, it means that I have a better chance at cutting off the ropes? I have the advantage here because I had a few days to get used to this. Her poorly hidden sorrow threatened to drown him as wave upon wave of it crashed upon him. She saw everything like this? A thick blanket of darkness? Against his will, his heart constricted for her. He didnt trust his traitorous tongue to reply so he stayed silent as she confidently released herself and then felt her way, less confidently, towards him. He suppressed a shiver when she ran her small hands up his tensed up legs and around his back to look for all the ropes. He didnt see her blush a pretty pink through the darkness at their situation. She was practically in his lap as she tried to saw off the ropes. In case youre wondering, I cant go around you because youre hands are right up to the cave wall. She drily whispered. Dont you dare think that I wouldve have done this otherwise! He nuzzled her cheek, whispering seductively, I dont mind one bit. Zahra loved the feel of his stubble on her neck. She suppressed her want to arch against him and elbowed him instead. Stop teasing me Luke, I might just leave you here! She stiffened when she heard grunts and cries coming from the entrance of the cave. There was a decidedly feminine cry of pain and Zahra began to saw with deadly precision. She was pressed
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up against him, shaking with fear. He wondered how it was that her hands were so steady. But before she could get to the last rope, she was shoved from the side, hitting her head with an unpleasant thump on the wall she had mentioned behind him. When he quickly tried to prod her awake, she didnt stir. At least she had managed to free his ankles. He gave her attacker a solid round house kick which he knew would leave the man breathless. As expected, the man dropped to the ground gasping air like a fish out of water. Luke felt around the floor for the knife and slipped it through his bonds to free his wrists. Then with a quick look to make sure Zahra wasnt looking, he killed her attacker with a clean stab through his ribs. He grimaced at the easiness of killing. When he prodded Zahra, she sat up so quickly she almost bumped his head with hers. She groaned, clutching her head. They bloody keep hitting my head in the same spot! She looked around and then let Luke haul her up. They softly laughed in relief to stretch and their knees creaked like old people. He realized how happy he was to be alive and to have a little control back in his life again. Before he could overthink it, he gently kissed Zahras forehead. Then he grabbed her hand and led the way out of the cave to see what all the commotion was about outside.

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CHAPTER 39 Ange had stopped crying out from pain multiple stabs ago. She bit her lip harder when the short pocket knife Frankie was fighting with stabbed her shoulder, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing her in pain inflicted by him. Frankie had told all of his minions except one to go home when hed seen her. Hed assumed that she hadnt gotten to Luke and Zahra yet and after sending one minion to check on them, was taking his time in torturing her. He held a knife in his right hand and a loaded and cocked pistol in his left. He aimed both at her but only used the knife. She couldnt kick him without tangling her legs in her skirts and she couldnt punch him without his knife nicking her knuckles. They were already red with dried blood. She couldnt run, no matter how cowardly it sounded, because they were on the ledge leading into the cave behind the waterfall. She knew Luke and Zahra wouldnt be able to hear her cries for help over the thundering waterfall and for the same reason she couldnt warn them. She sagged in defeat when she saw that his minions had stayed instead of heeding their leaders advice. Ange bit back another cry of pain. He explained more and more of his twisted scheme with every stab of that damned pocketknife. She heard Luke and Zahras pounding footsteps and gave into the urge; she did the only thing she could and screamed.

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CHAPTER 40 Zahra clutched Lukes arm even tighter to her as he led her out of the black cave when she heard Ange scream. Luke tightened his hold as well in reply to her whimper. They stepped into the blinding light and Luke blinked rapidly, kitchen knife in hand, ready to take on whoever was hurting his cousin. Zahra froze and had to blink to adjust her eyes to the bright sunlight. She saw Ange look at her and gape at the precise way Zahra was looking back into her eyes. Unaware of the silent communication between the two ladies, he heard the cocking of a pistol with his experienced ears and yelled at everyone to get down. On the word down he heard the gunshot. By then his own eyes had cleared and he watched with horror at the blossoming red stain in Solanges chest. She looked at him and then tried to take a steadying deep breath. Instead she hacked up blood. Within a second Luke was on the man who had missed her heart but just as fatally shot her lung. What monster shoots a lady? He thought with disgust. He realized he was fighting Frankie right before red haze that made him deadlier than normal took over. When Lukes knife cut open Frankies shirt, he noticed a tattoo shaped like a scorpion on his shoulder. He was transported back in time and remembered the same tattoo in the same place, on his real father. That second he took to transport back in time was a second too many, for Frankie sneered and lunged at Luke, backing him into the cliff wall. Luke saw Solange stagger as she coughed up blood. He wanted to yell at her to stop straining and lie down and spend her last moments in peace. He struggled against the old man, weak from lack of movement and food. When he saw what Solange was trying to do, he wanted to scream. His cousin was going to sacrifice her last moments trying to shoot her trusted butler. And Zahra was standing at the caves mouth, staring at them all and blinking rapidly. He didnt have time
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to puzzle over her sudden stillness. He nodded once at Solange and then ducked, praying to whoever was listening that she didnt end up shooting him instead. Her aim proved true and penetrated through Frankies chest, puncturing his heart. Frank was down in an instant clutching his chest and howling in pain. Luke moved to take on the three other minions who turned out to be cowards. When they saw their leader fall to the ground, they took off in the other direction. Luke rushed to Solange, who looked like she was about to topple into the waterfall. She leaned into him and started sobbing, still hiccupping blood. I dont want to die! She moaned. I dont want to die, not yet! She sobbed harder, her breaths becoming shallower and her blood coming up in tablespoons. He tried to calm his own breathing, not wanting to add to her fear. Shhh, its all right. Zahra and I are here for you. Itll be all right. Shhh. His voice shook and he felt something wet slide down his grimy cheeks. Hearing her name seemed to snap Zahra out of whatever was troubling her and she came rushing to Anges side. There were tears pouring down the ladies faces as they held each other, remembering all the times theyd shared. Luke could hear the gurgling sound of blood intervening in Anges airways. She had become so much to him, Luke realized, as he slowly sank to his knees with Ange still in his hold. He cradled her head in his lap as Zahra smoothed Anges bloodied ringlets accurately away from her face. Zahra quieted Ange as she tried to speak, but Ange weakly brushed aside the hand. She meaningfully looked into Zahras eyes, and then his. I wouldnt have wanted to leave dying for anyone else. Remember me, okay? Then she smiled uncertainly before hiccupping up more blood, and then lay eternally still with a sigh.

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Ange! Oh God, Ange, come back! Solange Anna Beth Rodney dont you dare leave me here to remember you! Ange! Zahra broke off, sobbing. She wished Ange was there to soothe her sob wracked back as she had been that day two weeks ago. Zahra finally looked up at Luke through her tears and stared, a tumble of emotions going through her; shock, fear, sadness, loss, and quietly, hope. As she sat there, numb with shock, she realized that Ange had noticed the reason Zahra hadnt joined the fray from the moment they exited the cave. Zahra had seen the whole bloody fight go down, actually seen it happen. She couldnt seem to put it into words though. Lucas startled her by saying roughly Im so sorry. She slowly nodded and shakily reached out and wiped a tear from his dirt streaked face. She looked down at Ange who still wore that knowing smile on her face. She looked back at Luke. He was looking at Ange with so much yearning, as if a piece of his heart had been torn out. Zahra felt helpless and bereft. The one family member he had actually connected with and cared for had died on him too. She steadied her trembling fingers and closed Anges lifeless chocolate brown eyes. Luke watched as Zahra closed her best friends eyelids. He watched as those chocolate brown eyes were closed for the last time and thought they didnt seem so common to him now. He wondered at Zahras precise movements, thought it sweet that she knew all the contours of her friends face. He looked up into her face and found her staring back at him. She was crying profusely, but her tears were silent. The more he watched, the more it seemed to him that she was crying for him as well as Solange and herself. In confirmation of his thoughts, she leaned over Solange and wrapped her dirt streaked arms around his neck and pulled him close. Luke found that suddenly he wanted nothing more than human contact. She was going through the same thing he was. The only difference was that Zahra couldnt see the gruesome way Solange
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hadgone. He slowly pulled Zahra up and led her away from St. Valentines waterfall, not once looking back to what had probably been the second worst day of his life.

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CHAPTER 41 Luke stood so close to Zahra that their shoulders brushed. He couldnt look at anything other than the sleek coffin that the men were slowly setting six feet under. He wanted to scream at them, No! What are you doing? My Solange is in there! She shouldnt be dead! I should be the one in there! But he stayed silent, deathly silent, as he had ever since that day behind the waterfall. That had been over a week ago. Luke dragged his gaze away from the coffin to the lady standing stick straight at his side. They were both dressed in black, Zahra even wearing a black lace cap. She was wearing a pink ribbon on her wrist, Anges favorite color. She had tried to talk to him over the past week but she hadnt gotten a single word from him. He knew she was worried but couldnt find it in himself to care. He hadnt even spoken a word to the Colonel. The Colonel could screw himself for all Luke cared. Solange had been the sister hed never had. The friend hed always wanted. The only family he could really trust. At first she had seemed a silly girl, but over two weeks had proven herself as a true Lady. Dignified, poised, caring, thoughtful, humorous, and inceptive. He swallowed against the tightness in his throat, which seemed to never go away. He hadnt spoken or cried since that day, and it was all the servants could do to make sure he kept eating. Hed only seen Zahra occasionally, as they now had to live separately. Currently she was staying at an inn, or at least last he heard. He looked across the little gathering and saw Solanges parents, standing by his foster parents. Neither had been told the truth. They had been told that Solange had fallen over the waterfall to her death while they were out exploring. It choked him every time, so he let others do the condolences and lies. Zahra had become especially good at it, but he knew it pained her too by the monotone voice she now talked in. He suspected that she could see again,
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but hadnt asked. In his mind, he thought it was most likely because she hit it the exact same place. He remembered her exact words, They bloody keep hitting my head in the same spot! He caught himself from ruefully smiling. He had no right to smile when his cousin was going to be stuck with that small smile plastered on her face for the rest of eternity. He had dreamed about that small knowing smile and the way Zahra had reacted to it, but was still as puzzled by it as he had the moment he saw it on Anges dying face.

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CHAPTER 42 After the service for Ange was over, Zahra gathered her nerves and went to talk to Luke. She hadnt really talked to him since the night of, and she heard that he hadnt spoken at all. She had tried during the brief moments of shared contacts, but to no avail. He still didnt know she could see again, and she had no idea how to tell him. She missed him so much, it hurt her. She couldnt understand why. They had been friends, nothing more, nothing less; other than that one kiss. But she felt as though she had known him as long as she had known Ange. What hurt her more was how he was so indifferent to everyone around him, his foster parents, and even her. She had stood by him the entire service and he hadnt done or said anything. He had simply stared at the coffin as if he too was being buried. She wanted her Luke back, and she knew Ange wouldnt have wanted to see either of them like this. Zahra knew that Ange had tried setting them together numerous times, she hated to think of what Ange would say now to how many steps they had taken backward. She stood among the people offering condolences, silently watching Luke as he stoically took each one. His eyes were a bleak gray, no hint of hazel, none whatsoever. Sometimes she found herself changing what had happened whenever she replayed the whole scene in her head. She and Luke would stumble out from the cave and then hed turn to her, and shed turn to him and see his eyes turn hazel at the sheer joy of being out in the open again. Shed realize that she could see and would smile, and he would smile back because her smile was just that contagious as Ange used to say. Then hed gather her close and kiss her breath away. Ange would laugh and hug her and they would all go home. Yes, she thought. Definitely a daydream. There was no way Luke could ever do anything like that without feeling the sharp stab of Solanges death. She knew because she felt it every
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day. To cope, she started writing letters. They were letters to Solange, as if they were long distance friends. She planned on burying them in a box by Solanges grave. She also didnt plan on telling anyone about them. Zahra had written one every day now, so there were seven letters in all. More significant than all that, however, were the documents and letters she had received from her lawyer. They had been from the organization named Scorpion, whom she had never heard of, but whom she had a suspicion Luke knew all about. She had torn into every single page, shocked with the information pertaining to her, Luke, and Frankieerr Frank according to the documents. There was information on her parents, and Lukes parents, and of all their terrifying missions. The most interesting of all was a mans journal. When she gathered enough courage to read through it, she found that it was Franks! Apparently her father, Lukes father, and Frank had been the best of friends. She couldnt imagine how Frank could have threatened them under those circumstances, but then again people would do anything in the name of revenge. After taking her outrage at the lateness of the informations arrival to her lawyer, she had figured it best to tell Luke. After seeing how desolate and pained he was though, she didnt know how she could bear to. She looked up from her black slippers, surprised to see Luke looking directly at her for once, instead of into his memories and his cousins smiling face. She felt her sputtering candle of hope grow steady again, as hope dared to flare inside her. Maybe, she thought, he would get past this, and pull himself out of his despair. She let herself smile a little at the lighter thought and found herself holding her breath and looking into his eyes.

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CHAPTER 43 Lukes real mother used to say to him that eyes were the windows to ones soul. He wondered what Zahra saw as she looked into his eyes, searching for something. A clue of his future. That was what he couldnt believe. She cared for him and how he was going to get on. Not about herself or her own life. He felt the tiniest smile tug up the corners of his lips in response to her tiny smile and knew that if Zahra could see, then shed see the hazel lighting his eyes for the first time all week and bestow him with her amazing smile. He held back the guilt that clawed at him for being able to smile while Ange couldnt. His suspicions about the state of her eyesight were confirmed when she smiled beautifully at him. At the same time, he listened to what Zahra had been trying to tell him with her face all week, that Ange wouldnt have wanted him to be like this. He finally broke Zahras gaze, noticing that they were the last two in the graveyard, and that it had started to drizzle in typical England fashion. When he looked back at her she was smiling uncertainly at the ground, and was turning away when he walked over to her and caught her arm. Zahra looked at him, startled. She patiently waited, seeing if he would let his voice out for once. Luke stammered, voice raw and hoarse from lack of use. I...I...dammit, I dont know what to say to you Zahra. Thank you. I guess, thank you for holding on to your hope that I would be all right. Thank you for always being there for Ange, before I even knew her. Luke looked away from Anges grave, finally daring a look at Zahras face. She was crying, dammit, he hadnt wanted to make her cry. Wait, she was smiling. What was going through her head? He still didnt have his answer when she stepped closer, entwining her hand with his. He felt his jaw, which had been shaved after a week this
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morning, slowly unclench. He had shaved wanting to feel like a different man. So he could try to walk away from the past events like a snake conveniently sheds skin. It hadnt completely worked, but it helped him move forward, just a little bit. As he looked down into Zahras bleak but honest, tear streaked, hope filled face, he wondered if she was his way to completely moving on and living the life Ange had given her own up for. He brought his free hand up to cradle her face, leaving the other in her soft grip. As he brought his head closer to hers, he delighted when her eyes fluttered closed. He glanced at the place Ange was now buried. She would have wanted this, and there was no reason for him to have to walk away from this anymore, he thought. He was done being a spy for the time being, andhe too wanted this. He couldnt remember the last time hed given into something hed wanted. And so this time he did. He kissed her, an actual kiss on her soft lips. It was everything he could have hoped for.

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EPILOGUE: A few months later. Zahra sat down with Luke at her lawyers office. He looked slightly alarmed, but retained the business attitude. She glanced at Luke, who had greatly improved himself since the funeral, and she was so very happy. When he had kissed her at Anges funeral, it had spoken of promise and a new beginning, but she hadnt known if she could count on a promise from Luke at that point in time. She had been certain he just needed to make sure he wasnt completely alone. But he had lived up to that promise every day since then. He had continued with the kisses, along with properly visiting her in the house she was temporarily residing in with the cousin who had inherited it from grandmamma. He had properly courted her, and together they had helped each back into a normal routine. But once a month she would wear her pink ribbon around her wrist and visit Solange with Luke at her side. It was there that he had proposed to her, hoping Solange was watching down on them. Zahra had smiled, and reveled in watching his eyes change to their enrapturing hazel as she happily embraced him and accepted. Today, however, they were at her lawyers firm to confirm the validity of the information sent to her on their parents. She admired her sapphire ring, remembering what Luke had rhymed to her. Your eyes were cerulean blue, then cloudy blue, and when I saw this sapphire stone on this ring, I knew it was for you. She smiled, lost in her thoughts until Luke pulled on one of her escaping curls. When she looked up into his amused face, she realized they had finished. Its all true. Our parents were spies. He said. And you? She asked.

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No, he said firmly, Not anymore Im not. She smiled and entwined her hand with his as she got up from her chair. Good, because I dont plan on having my husband kill me and leave our child to grow up alone. He jerked and spun around to stare at her. I never told you His features softened as he saw the remorse on her face for her sharp words. Of course you figured it out. He laughed a little ruefully as he tugged her into his arms. Resting his chin on her head of midnight black ringlets outside of the firm, waiting for their carriage, he knew that this was how life should be. Calm, peaceful, with a rosy fragrance, and with a beautiful woman in his arms. After it arrived, he took her hand and stepped in after helping her in. And this was how he was planning on keeping it, Luke thought as the carriage rumbled homewards.

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