Warning: This chapter depicts deprivation of liberty.
They were still at the beginning of the tour when Lydia saw the moonlit face of the lake ahead and realized that their excursion route had deviated from the previous ones. The truth was that Lydia couldn't keep track of which road had led them here.
Although she was hesitant to express this discovery, Sidney acted before her.
"Looks like there's someone at the hunting lodge by the lake. Maybe I should go check it out."
When she anxiously turned her gaze in the direction that Sidney indicated, Lydia could see the reflections of the fire hitting the window of the lodge by the lake. Lydia knew that the hunting lodge must be empty, since the princess did not like hunting and it was not among the activities in the mansion.
"Are you sure? What if there's a trespasser like you mentioned in the stable?"
"In that case, ensuring the security of the duke's property as his guest is my duty, my lady. Please stay here."
Without waiting any longer, he dismounted and walked away. She felt a growing unease inside her that she couldn't control. For a moment, she thought that she might be the one in danger.
She didn't know how much time had passed, but the snow, which had been still for a long time, had started falling again. Since the sound of Sidney's footsteps had faded, the continuing silence around her had raised various suspicions in her mind. Suddenly, she heard a voice approaching her.
The sound of footsteps had already made her horse tense before her, and Lydia could feel it.
"It's okay, Miss Lockhart. Probably just someone who forgot to turn off the lamp while cleaning. We can rest in the lodge until the snow stops."
Although the speaker was Sidney, Lydia couldn't see him clearly as he was hidden behind the bushes. Her voice came out as nervous as possible.
"The snow could get heavier at any moment, Mr. Sherman. I think it would be better to return to the mansion as soon as possible."
Sherman replied after a short silence.
"But I haven't yet mentioned the matter I wanted to discuss with you. You must see how cowardly I am! Oh, forgive me. I'm rambling. Let's do as you wish my lady, let's return immediately. I've needlessly tired you in this cold, forgive me."
Listening to Sidney's voice, which was wavering with desperation, Lydia knew she had to make a choice. Would she trust Sidney Sherman, or would she retreat behind her usual walls and bid him farewell?
If Damian hadn't stirred up her emotions so much, Lydia wouldn't have found the loneliness awaiting her at home upon her return so daunting. She wouldn't have thought about how her familiar routine left her feeling so unloved and neglected.
She was no longer brave enough to risk this newfound attention.
"Then we can talk in the lodge, Mr. Sherman."
Though she lingered a bit as she dismounted, Lydia quickly walked over to Sidney. In the darkness, she couldn't see his expression clearly, but his voice indicated his satisfaction with Lydia's choice.
"Please watch out for the pits. Don't step into them. You can hold onto me if you'd like."
The hunting lodge was a single storey, small but sturdy structure. When Sidney opened the heavy door and gestured for Lydia to enter first, she flinched at the darkness inside despite the moonlight outside.
She didn't understand why Sidney had turned off the lamp when he wanted to stay here.
Although her instincts told her something was wrong and made her turn her face and body away, the door had already been forcefully closed.
At that moment, she could never quite pinpoint what she was feeling. The shock she experienced had replaced the fear and disappointment she should have felt. Despite the sudden fire in the fireplace breaking the darkness and some words reaching her ears, she couldn't understand what was happening.
"Welcome, Miss Lockhart. I'm delighted to meet you again."
Lord Durham was standing, welcoming her with a beautiful fur on his shoulders and a wide smile on his face. The fireplace fire made the other male silhouettes in the lodge visible. The roar of the wind outside merged with the whispers of the speakers.
Lydia didn't even try to find Sidney among them; she just looked for any window she could escape through instinctively. Seeing that all the windows were made of double-layered glass to protect against wild animals, she gave up on that idea.
Lord Durham had been watching her efforts with interested eyes.
"Isn't it too cold and chilling outside? Don't worry, you are safe here with us."
No sound came from Lydia's parted lips; instead, the other men in the lodge spoke.
"Stop scaring her, Durham! Can't you see how she's trembling?"
"Is she part of the bet, too? Ha ha ha!"
"I don't think the lady is convinced enough to spend time with us."
"Maybe a drink will help her."
After Durham's last comment, he took a step towards her with his drink in hand. Lydia stepped back at the same time. She could feel her heart pounding horribly fast, her chest tightening.
"I'll leave."
This was all her feeble voice managed to say. Still, Durham heard her and widened his malicious smile.
"This is impossible, my lady. Unfortunately, finding your way back to the mansion alone is not feasible. We wouldn't want anything to happen to you, would we, gentlemen?"
In response, laughter filled the room.
Ignoring them, Lydia reiterated, aware that her eyes were dry and burning.
"I'll leave."
"Miss Lockhart, the thought of you being afraid of us hurts us. What harm could there be in sitting with us for a while and chatting, considering you didn't mind going on a night stroll with Sherman?"
"As I said... I will leave, and no one will know about this."
"Absolutely, no one will know about this. Everyone here swears on their honor, my lady, but for now, it's not possible for you to leave."
Despite the now lit lamp and fireplace in the room, Lydia saw a deep darkness spreading in Durham's eyes. She was more filled with the need to leave than to think about what they would do to her.
Realizing she had no other way, she pulled out the gun she had received from Sidney and hidden under her fur. Without hesitation, she aimed at Durham, who was standing directly in front of her, at the closest distance.
If harm came her way, Lydia would not be alone.