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“Get out of uard on the stairs The footman rushed over “Escort Miss Pearce from the premises Ensure she has transport hoer welcome here”

“It is of no consequence,” Lucinda said, thrusting her chin in the air “These parties used to be

fun But your wife has turned you into a dull, rather tiresome bore”

Priscilla had saved hied him to be a better person

“This world was once a fantasy But it is a fantasy based on falsehoods Look closely at the real people behind the masks, and you’ll find it is just a horror show full of freaks”

Lucinda chuckled “And the real horror is taking place in the summerhouse as we speak”

“You should be thankful you’re not a ,” he said and then turned on his heels and raced out through the terrace doors and into the night

Chapter 21

Matthew descended the terrace steps two at a time Despite the lit braziers and laarden, it was too difficult to distinguish faces in the dark Lucinda had rass and darted behind the large topiary hedge

The s sat nestled in the north-west corner of the garden Although he’d spoken to Priscilla about auctioning the key, the room was always unlocked

Co to within a few feet of the tiny house, he crept up to the door The sound of breathless pants and moans confirmed someone was inside If Boden had touched a hair on Priscilla’s head there’d be hell to pay

Murder was the only thought on Matthew’s mind when he opened the door and nised Boden’s broad fra over his quarry hidden in the shadows Indeed, the guttural groans and se so intense he could barely focus

Lunging at Boden, Matthew grabbed the collar of his coat and dragged him back

“What the hell?” With arled to keep his balance as Matthew shook him like a disobedient pup

“I’ve tolerated your conceit and your arrogant comments But I warned you, lay a hand on my wife and you’ll not live to see another day”