Once Upon a Temptingly Ruinous Kiss - Bree Wolf Page 0,98

was not willing to risk it, and so she said nothing.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Back at the Masquerade

Drake knew he had to be mad to allow her to accompany him. Yet, when those wide blue eyes looked into his, he felt utterly powerless, unable to refuse her anything.

Over the past fortnight, nothing unusual had happened. After Leonora had had her notebook returned to her, no one had tried to approach her in any way. Whenever she attended a ball or another societal gathering, she was constantly flanked by her family, countless watchful eyes observing the crowd, looking for the one who had harmed her.

Drake had seen with one glance that something had changed within her family.

They knew.

He had known that they did even before Leonora had told him so. It was only too visible in the way they never left her side, concern and no small amount of anger etched into their eyes. Especially her brother seemed to have trouble maintaining an outward calm. Drake was surprised to see him thus, for he had always appeared rather stoic, the look upon his face rarely whispering of any emotions lingering below. Now, though, he almost growled at each and every gentleman to glance in his sister’s direction, guarding her with a fierceness that surprised Drake.

“When will we be there?” Leonora asked, seated beside him in the carriage. She wore her dark cloak, the hood pulled up over her head and deep into her face. A black mask covered the upper half of her beautiful features, hiding her from those they would encounter.

Drake cleared his throat, unable to shake the feeling that they were making a monumental mistake. “It’ll only be a matter of minutes.” He touched his fingers to his own mask, ensuring it was in place. “You can still change your mind,” he reminded her, his gaze falling to her trembling hands.

Tensing her jaw, Leonora shook her head, something determined flashing in her blue eyes. “No, I need to do this. Even if we do not find him, I need to do this.”

Silence lingered between them; their thoughts drawn into different directions. And then, the carriage drew to a halt outside Lord Hamilton’s imposing townhouse.

Drake alighted without hesitation, knowing that lingering inside would only cause doubt. He turned back and held out his hand to Leonora, assisting her as she stepped down onto the pavement. “If you wish to return home, all you need to do is say so.”

With her eyes fixed on the darkened house, she nodded, then followed him inside without hesitation.

Drake wondered if it was her determination that propelled her forward or perhaps his presence that gave her courage. He knew what he preferred; only he did not dare ask. Still, his fingers closed more tightly around hers, still holding on even after she had found her footing.

Leonora did not seem to mind, her gaze wide as it swept over her surroundings. They stepped through the wide door and into the hall. Music and voices echoed to their ears, countless lights burning here and there. Yet, shadows dominated this night.

Shadows and masks.

A group of men sauntered out of the ballroom, each one wearing a black mask like his own, their faces hidden, their identities concealed.

Leonora drew in a sharp breath, and Drake could feel a tremor surge through her. Answering her silent call, he pulled her closer, slipping her arm through the crook of his, assuring her that he was there. Never would he allow anything to happen to her.

Earlier this night, when Drake had donned his own mask, Leonora standing in front of him, her blue eyes watching, he had seen the way she had inhaled a slow, but shuddering breath. Her eyes had been fixed to the black mask, to the holes through which his eyes had looked back at her. He had sensed her apprehension, seen the memories that had drifted to the forefront of her mind.

Drake had known then that he ought to have refused her request.

And yet, he had not.

The men passed them, laughing and chatting with one another, their comments crude and unfit for a lady’s ears. Again, Drake doubted his sanity. Yes, he should definitely have refused her request. “Even if you see him here, you will not recognize him.”

For a moment, Leonora seemed absent, her mind lingering elsewhere. Then she turned to look at him and heaved a deep sigh. “I suppose that is true. Still, I find myself walking these halls whenever I close my eyes. Perhaps it will help to