Escaping The Beast: A Darkhills Romance (The Darkhills Series Book 2) by Elizabeth Greene (young adult books to read TXT) 📕

his Lordship about it if she ever got up the courage to meet with him again. The memory of how his dark eyes had watched her with an intensity that pulled at something deep down, rose up within her. She shivered at the thought.

He was a handsome, powerful man who exuded confidence. That was all it was.

As Katherine continued to gaze at the tapestry she noticed the slight movement of it against the floor, as if moved by the wind. She had checked all the windows, none were open. But the breeze must’ve been coming from somewhere. She stepped closer to the tapestry and peered around the edge of it. Behind it was a stone wall, just the same as all the other walls in the place. She lifted the tapestry further back and slid behind it, running her hand along the wall. She grinned when her fingers traced over a ledge in the stonework. She followed her hands in the pitch black and stepped forward into a doorway, her foot stubbed against something. With hesitant steps, she lifted her foot and placed it down upon a step. She wished she had thought to take her phone with her. It was low on battery but she really could’ve done with a torch. She’d found a secret staircase. Just as she was about to take another step, she heard a noise from inside the main hall behind her and she froze instantly.

She listened hard, whatever or whoever was in the Hall a moment ago had gone. She slowly let out her held breath soundlessly. She thought she had probably better leave her explorations until she had a torch. For all she knew, she was about to fall into some bottomless pit or dungeon. She wouldn’t be surprised if the creepy castle sported its very own dungeon. Ever so carefully, Katherine slid herself along the stone wall and peeked out from behind the heavy tapestry.

The room was empty.

Breathing a sigh of relief she stepped out into the room once more and walked as calmly as she could manage towards the staircase that would return her to her room. As she walked past Lord Nightingale’s throne a flash of cream caught her eye. There on the seat was another wax-sealed note. She looked all around but couldn’t see any sign of him or Mr. Jones. She doubted it had been the butler who had delivered it. She would’ve heard his shuffling steps. Katherine picked up the letter and opened it.

Dear Miss. Daxton,

I’m pleased to hear you enjoyed your breakfast. As much as I wish you would reconsider, I understand that much has changed for you in a short space of time and you are reluctant to dine with me. Perhaps given a little more time, this arrangement might become more agreeable to you.

As per your request, I apologise that you have not found your quarters adequately appointed. If you would like to provide a list of items that you require I will see to it that these are procured for you as appropriate.

I trust I need not remind you again that as per the terms of our agreement, you are not at liberty to leave Tumbricane until the term of the contract has ended.

Yours,

Lucian Nightingale

Katherine felt rage boiling in her veins.

The son of a bitch.

She crumpled the letter in her hand and threw it down onto the floor. Of all the condescending, manipulative, infuriating bastards out there, Lord Lucian Nightingale took the crown.

Perhaps given a little more time, this arrangement might become more agreeable to you. She supposed he thought he was being clever, trying to coerce her into doing what he wanted by refusing her perfectly reasonable request, and pointing out yet again just how long she would have to stay there. Katherine had grown up amongst crooks and conmen and knew how to read between the lines of his rhetoric. Play nice and you can have your things, otherwise, your time here is going to be less than ideal.

Screw you Lord Asswipe.

Katherine stormed towards the doors to the smaller entrance hall and shoved them open angrily. Not breaking her pace, she grabbed at the main door to the outside and pulled at it. It didn’t budge. She tried again, tugging at the handle fruitlessly and looking up and down the huge wooden door to see if it were bolted. There were no bolts holding it in place. She peered between the join and saw a lock was in place.

The bastard had locked her in.

With a growl of anger, she shoved away from the door, slamming her fist against it. Fine. No way out by the front door and no way out into the rose-filled courtyard. The lying bastard had told her she was free to move about the estate. He had broken a condition of their agreement and she would return the favour, starting with calling the police and reporting a kidnapping.

She sprinted up the stone staircase and sped along to her room, stumbling inside. She spied her phone lying on the perfectly made bed, the thought of Mr. Jones shuffling around the bed she was sleeping in made her skin crawl. She snatched it up and pressed the power button. Nothing happened. She shook her phone in frustration.

“Come on, come on.”

Nothing. The battery had died and she had no means of charging it.

Katherine grit her teeth and stormed to the French doors that led to her balcony, they opened and she rushed to the edge of the stone balustrade. She looked down over the rose garden. She was too high up, she couldn’t jump it without likely breaking her ankles, nor could she be certain that she’d be able to find her way out. She scanned the walls that surrounded the courtyard. For the most part, she saw much of the same; grey stone walls with evenly spaced-out windows. No other balconies other than hers. She cursed and a slight feeling of hopelessness started crawling out from the pit of