Chapter XXVI

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Wesley lounged in the dimly lit parlor of the inn, a cloud of cigar smoke swirling around him as he engaged in idle conversation with a woman who sat across from him. The flicker of candlelight cast shadows on their faces, and the room was filled with the faint clinking of glasses and low murmurs from other patrons. Wesley's gaze was fixed on a letter he had just received, his expression darkening as he read.

The letter, from his sister Alexandra, mentioned Adelaide. Nestled within the letter was a portrait of Adelaide, her image captured in a small locket. As he stared at the portrait, Wesley's resolve hardened. The serene beauty of Adelaide's face stirred a fierce determination within him. He was not merely intent on wooing her; he was determined to abduct her, believing that he could bend her to his will and secure her for himself. His plans, which had been stalled, now seemed clear and urgent.

The cigar fell from Wesley's hand, its ember burning unnoticed as he was consumed by his thoughts. He quickly rose, leaving the woman and the comforts of the inn behind. His movements were quick and precise as he returned to his room, where he hastily packed his belongings. His mind was focused solely on the mission ahead.

Wesley scribbled a brief note to Oscar and Margaret, the inn's proprietors, paying his bill with a generous tip. There was no time for pleasantries. The urgency of his mission demanded immediate action.

Oscar and Margaret, noticing the tension in his demeanor, swiftly prepared a carriage. Wesley's heart pounded as he climbed into the vehicle. The carriage, laden with his belongings and driven by his determined haste, rattled off into the night, the wheels echoing his single-minded purpose as he headed toward France.

Back in England, in a quiet and softly lit chamber, Adelaide woke to find Luca beside her. He had carried her to the bed and then rested on the adjoining couch. As she stirred, she noticed Luca asleep, his chest rising and falling with the rhythm of his breath. Gently, she slipped out of bed, intending to move him to a more comfortable position.

But as she approached, Luca stirred and, in his half-asleep state, pulled her into his lap with a grin. Adelaide, momentarily surprised, settled against him. They shared a moment of silence, the quiet filled with unspoken feelings.

Luca, grappling with his emotions and the weight of what he wanted to ask, finally spoke. "Adelaide, I've been wondering if you'd like to move into my chambers with me?"

Adelaide, still groggy, didn't catch his words and remained silent. Luca, misinterpreting her silence, quickly added, "If you don't want to, it's fine. I just thought—"

Her confusion lifted as she asked, "What did you say?"

Luca sighed with relief, realizing she hadn't deliberately snubbed him. He repeated his proposal, his voice steady but tinged with nervousness. "I was asking if you'd like to move into my chambers with me?"

Adelaide's face lit up with excitement as she understood his offer. "Yes! I would love that. But are you sure? I'm fine with separate chambers if that's what you want."

Luca shook his head firmly, his gaze earnest. "No, I want us to be together. I'm sure of it."

They shared a tender kiss, their lips meeting in a soft, heartfelt connection. The kiss was a promise of their deepening bond and mutual commitment.

As they parted, Luca's expression turned thoughtful. Though he didn't mention it to Adelaide, he was contemplating something deeply personal. He had scars from his past that he had not shared with her, and he pondered whether he should reveal them. His mind was occupied with the uncertainty of how she might react, but he kept his thoughts to himself for now.

Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Clara and Andrea were deep in conversation. Their discussion centered on Tina, the enigmatic orphan who had recently joined their household. They found Tina's behavior increasingly suspicious and were determined to uncover the truth.

"I don't trust her," Clara said, her brow furrowed with concern. "There's something off about her."

Andrea nodded in agreement. "We need to find proof before we go to the Duchess. We can't make accusations without evidence."

With resolve, Clara and Andrea set out to gather information, each step bringing them closer to uncovering Tina's true intentions. Their vigilance was fueled by a desire to protect their household and ensure that no hidden dangers threatened their peace.

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In the heart of London, where the streets were slick with rain and the night air was sharp, David, a seasoned private investigator, was deeply engrossed in his work. The office, a modest room adorned with shelves of case files and old, leather-bound volumes, exuded an atmosphere of quiet diligence. The warm glow of a solitary lamp cast long shadows across the walls, illuminating David's focused face as he sifted through a stack of documents related to his latest investigation.

A sudden, authoritative knock on the door startled him. David glanced at the clock and frowned; visitors at this late hour were unusual, especially those not previously scheduled. With a mixture of curiosity and mild irritation, he rose from his desk and moved to answer the door.

As he opened it, he was met with the sight of a cloaked figure. Tina stood in the doorway, her face partially hidden by the deep hood of her cloak. She swept into the room with a commanding presence, her footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. David, taken aback by the uninvited guest, closed the door behind her and regarded her with a mixture of suspicion and concern.

"Can I help you?" David asked, his voice steady despite his surprise. "Who are you, and what brings you here?"

Tina's eyes, cold and calculating, met his with an unflinching gaze. "I'm here to issue a warning," she said, her tone edged with menace. "Cease your investigation into Jenna immediately. If you refuse, you will face severe consequences."

David's brow furrowed in confusion and skepticism. "And why should I take orders from you? What right do you have to interfere with my work?"

Tina's expression grew darker, her patience wearing thin. "This is not a request—it's a command. Stop the investigation or you will regret it."

David's resolve was firm. "I'm not intimidated by threats. I have a duty to uncover the truth, and I won't be swayed by intimidation."

A cold rage flared in Tina's eyes. Her hand, concealed within the folds of her cloak, tightened around the handle of a sharp knife. Without warning, she drew the blade and lunged at David. The first stab was precise, aimed directly at his abdomen. David's eyes widened in shock and pain as he staggered backward, the knife cutting through his flesh with a sickening crunch.

David's initial cry of pain was quickly silenced by the brutal reality of Tina's attack. The knife plunged into him repeatedly, each thrust driven by Tina's escalating fury. The room, once a place of quiet contemplation, was now a scene of horrific violence. The blade glinted ominously in the dim light as Tina continued her relentless assault.

Tina's breathing grew ragged, and her hands were slick with blood. Despite the tears streaming down her face, she continued stabbing, her sobs mingling with the wet, thudding sounds of the knife piercing David's body. The investigator's protests and desperate pleas were drowned out by the sounds of his suffering and Tina's anguished cries.

As David's life ebbed away, Tina's rage subsided into a broken, trembling despair. Her emotions were a chaotic storm of regret and sorrow, but the anger that had driven her was not easily quelled. Eventually, her strength faltered, and she dropped the knife, its blade clattering to the floor. The weapon, now stained with blood, lay amidst the gruesome evidence of her outburst.

Tina wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, her breath coming in ragged sobs as she tried to compose herself. She adjusted her cloak, pulling the hood tightly around her face to shield her identity. With one last, sorrowful glance at the lifeless body of David, she made her way to the door.

As she exited the office, her movements were hurried but deliberate. The street outside was still wet from the earlier rain, and the chill in the air seemed to amplify her sense of urgency. Tina's mind was already shifting to her next objective—she was determined to prevent anyone from exposing her brother, no matter the cost.

Her path took her to a hidden location where Jenna's parents were being held. The room where they were kept was dark and damp, a stark contrast to the warmth of their former lives. The parents, gaunt and disheveled, looked up with a mixture of fear and hope as Tina entered.

"Please," Jenna's mother implored, her voice weak and trembling. "We don't know what you want from us. Just let us go. We'll do anything."

Tina's demeanor was unyielding, her face a mask of cold determination. "I will release you," she stated with chilling calm, "but only on one condition. You must convince the Duke and Duchess to stop their investigation into Jenna. If you do not succeed, the consequences will be dire."

The desperation in Jenna's mother's eyes was palpable. She fell to her knees, her hands clasped together in a plea. "We will do anything. Please, just let us go. We'll speak to them. We promise."

Tina's expression remained stern, her resolve unwavering. "You have until tomorrow to deliver this message. If the Duke and Duchess are not persuaded to halt their investigation, I will take further action. Do not test me."

With that final, menacing statement, Tina turned and exited the room, leaving Jenna's parents in a state of profound fear and uncertainty. The threat of further violence hung heavy in the air as Tina departed, her mind already racing with thoughts of her next steps. She was resolute in her mission to protect her brother, and nothing would deter her from achieving her goal.

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