After that tender kiss, Lucas hadn't stayed at the ball and had gone back to his room. His night was very pleasant, and he even allowed himself to stay in bed until the early hours. He then got up to assist his family as they greeted all the guests returning to London. He was going to see Brooke again, and he was delighted. He felt that something had happened yesterday, that a new dynamic was emerging between them. And she had clearly told him that she would like to be part of his family. Lucas was so delighted that he was the most gracious host of the entire family, even surpassing his sister and mother with the guests, so flamboyant was his mood. However, his mood soured when he saw Lady Lee and the Jameses arrive, but not Brooke.
The entire Scott family stood on the steps watching them leave the mansion. Lucas waved to Lady Lee, who came to join him.
Lucas : Where's Brooke?
Debie : She took another carring early this morning. Apparently, she had some business to attend to in London. She left me a note saying we'd meet up later today.
Lucas : Well...
He freed Lady Lee, who hurried to join the Jameses. It was at that moment that Nathan demanded to speak to Miss Taylor in order to propose to her. Everyone happily applauded the happy event, and the congratulations prolonged the wait for their departure. Lucas was happy for his brother even though he knew the latter was not the least bit in love with his fiancée. Yet his mind was elsewhere. So, as soon as the Jameses left, he hurriedly packed his things and urged his entire family to return home quickly. However, getting seven members of this household to hurry was an impossible mission, and they didn't return to London until mid-afternoon.
As soon as he arrived, Lucas climbed onto his horse and set off towards Lady Lee's residence. Once there, he didn't even have time to knock on the door before it opened, revealing the valet who had guided him the first time.
Valet : Follow me...
Lucas sensed something was amiss. He wasn't fooled, and this was confirmed when the man made him wait in an office rather than a living room. He paced back and forth until Lady Lee entered, closing the door behind her.
Lucas : What's going on?
Debie : She's disappeared.
Lucas : What do you mean, she's disappeared?
Debie : When we arrived, I went to check on her in her room. I knocked but didn't hear anything, so I went in. She's collected her few belongings; the cupboards are empty. I went to the stables and it turns out she took her horse and left a letter. According to the valet, she left four hours ago.
Lucas roughly grabbed his hair, trying to gather his thoughts as his heart pounded. He should have known better. She'd told him her suitcase was still packed, that she wasn't staying in London forever, and that she wanted to protect him. But she wasn't due to leave until the end of the season! Their kiss last night was a goodbye kiss. Why the hell hadn't he realized that? He cursed himself, thinking what a complete idiot he was, when he forced himself to focus again. He had to find her. It was unthinkable to leave her alone, wandering in a country she didn't know without any protection. God only knew the dangers that would lurk around her.
Lucas : You said she left you a letter? Can I read it, please?
Debie : Of course...
Brooke's Letter : My dear aunt, I wanted to thank you for your warm welcome and protection. I was supposed to stay longer with you, but my heart is playing tricks on me, and I can't control it any longer. My oath has always been to protect those around me from the dangers of my life, and unfortunately, I can't do that if my feelings get in the way. And even though I've spent the best weeks of my life here, I won't do it again, you know that. I would have liked to say goodbye to you in person, but you wouldn't have let me go. So I bid you farewell with all the tenderness a niece has for her aunt. I don't expect you to understand my choices. Neither the one to run away from the home you offer me, nor the one to leave behind love and security. Thank you for pushing us towards each other. You gave me a sweet interlude. I don't know exactly where I'll be going, just know that I'll be careful. On my way, I hope to see beautiful things, to open my mind again. I'm thinking of getting closer to the sea, that's just one element I'm good at, I need it in my life... Thank you again for everything.
Lucas was upset, to say the least. He had to find her as soon as possible. He barely greeted Lady Lee and left the house at a run. He mounted his horse and galloped east. He wasn't certain she'd be there, but it was the most likely case if she wanted to get to the sea quickly. He had to do something anyway, or he'd never forgive himself. If his horse was cooperative, he'd arrive at the coast in three hours, after dark. He'd then have to find her as quickly as possible or give up the search for the evening.
Giving up. It was unthinkable right now. Just like imagining everything that could happen to her alone on this path. So many horrible things flashed before Lucas's eyes, making his heart race a little faster. He couldn't lose her, it was out of the question. He should have done more for her. Convince her, seduce her, ask her to marry him, kidnap her, or even try to compromise her if it meant she wouldn't be safe with him forever. After all, he was in love with her, and she was in love with him. She had made it clear to him so many times without ever succumbing to him. To protect him. But from what? She hadn't given in. Had never told him anything. Yet, if he found her, he wouldn't let her explain nothing to him. Lucas never got angry, was never afraid of anything. Yet here and now, he harbored a rage for life and a fear for Brooke so intense that he felt as if he might explode. He had to find her or he would die, he was certain of it. So he made his horse speed up a little more through the city and then the countryside, trying, unsuccessfully, to chase away his dark thoughts.
Brooke had arrived at the end of the day at a small seaside inn. She had first galloped in tears to leave London as quickly as possible, then slowed down to rest and collect her thoughts. After the episode with the cookies in the kitchen with Lucas, she knew she had to act, and fast. That if she continued to be around him, she would never be able to leave him again. She loved him and had come to terms with it. But she couldn't live with that. So, she had made her decision. When she returned to London, she would leave without delay. She had shed many tears at the thought of leaving the place where she had been happiest, where she had aspired to stay her entire life. In such a short time, she had found a family, friends, and love. And once again, she was running away. She had packed her things, put on her outfit of trousers and black cape, left a letter for Lady Lee, and done what had to be done: run away again.
Arriving at the water, she dipped her feet in the waves and enjoyed the sensation she knew so well. Then she went to ask for a room at the inn. She put down her things after leaving her horse at the stables. And when night fell, she went to dinner. She chose the most secluded corner of the dining room to avoid being noticed and ate as quickly as possible. She noted with irony that she easily regained the survival reflexes she had developed during her escape.
At the end of the meal, she left the table, leaving a few coins, and left the dining room to return to her room on the other side of the courtyard. The night was dark, the rain had started to fall, and the patio was lit only by the light of the moon. She quickened her pace, uncomfortable to be alone there, when she felt a presence. She looked up and found herself face to face with a man much taller than her, blocking her path.
Derek : Good evening...
He stared at her intensely and lecherously.
Brooke : Good evening, sir...
She pulled her hood tighter around her head as she stepped around him. He then suddenly grabbed her arm, squeezing much harder than was necessary.
Brooke : I'm going to ask you to let go of me, sir...
Dereck : I don't think so, my dear. Where can a pretty flower like you go? And alone, no less?
Brooke : I'm going back to my room. So I repeat, please let go of me immediately...
Dereck : You're acting all proud, aren't you? Young ladies shouldn't be alone. There are many reasons for that. You could run into men with bad intentions...
He whispered in her ear as he slid a hand down her shoulder. At the touch, Brooke tensed and slapped him, making him back away. She started to run at full speed, adrenaline giving her a strength she didn't know she had. However, the man caught up to her by taking a shorter route and grabbed her arm again. He slammed her forcefully against a wall and held her firmly. She screamed, struggled, but no one seemed to come to her aid. Because who would come to help a woman in distress down here? Everyone had seen it. Everyone would think she had asked for this situation. And as she felt this monster's hands land in the most inappropriate places, a black veil passed over her eyes.
A moment of happiness. That's what she had written to Lady Lee in her farewell letter. That's what she had experienced in London. A tiny moment. A fleeting moment that seemed to be fading now. To forget what was happening now, she thought back to her memories. To that last ball, to Lucas's eyes, to the happiness she had felt dancing with him. She knew he would save her one day, and that's what he was doing by entering her memory. So she closed her eyes and stopped struggling, because it would only serve to traumatize her further.
Yet, as she sank into a kind of trance, she felt herself fall from her full height. The shock brought her to her senses, and before her, she saw the monster who had been attacking her being violently beaten by another man. By Lucas.
Brooke couldn't believe her eyes. Lucas was there in front of her, delivering one last punch to the drunk who had hit her, knocking him unconscious. He looked at him with fierce hatred before looking back at her. Instantly, he seemed to regain his composure. He was soaked from head to toe, as she must have been too. So he stepped around the man and leaned over her. They stared at each other for a long moment before she fell into his arms in tears. All the anguish of the moment surged through her like a cannonball, and she trembled all over.
She was unable to move, Lucas knew. So he took her in his arms, retrieved the keys from her pocket, and carried her to her room. He set her down in front of the lit fireplace and locked the door behind him. Then, while she was still crying and shaking, he removed the cloak from her shoulders and placed a blanket on the bed in its place. He stayed with her until her sobs subsided. Then she rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep.
