The Unloved Heiress Goes Rogue

Escapee

Grayson's POV

I was a little taken aback to see that the ceremony was being held in a church. It seemed a rather unlikely place for Edgar Rosethorn to be getting married. I motioned for Thomas to put the gift on the table with the other ones and surreptitiously glanced around. There were no signs of the groom or the bride yet. My interest was peaked. Rather than sit on the pews and wait, I decided to take a walk along the back corridors of the church. I was hardly going to be questioned by those who knew my name and the power that it possessed. Thomas followed along, obedient and wisely choosing to say nothing. I sensed his eyes on me, as though he was puzzled by something although I tried to keep my face expressionless. Part of me wanted to catch sight of the bride, although I could not say what I was hoping to achieve. Was it simply to convince myself that she was no phantom of the imagination? Was it to convince myself that what I was feeling by looking at a mere photograph was simply folly of my own design? For surely one cannot have feelings for another based upon a simple photograph and basic information one has obtained using various sources. But I could not deny that I was curious about Raine Stockland and the strange dynamics that went on in the Stockland household.

"Mr Drake" Thomas's voice is tentative "is there someone in particular you wish to speak to? Are you perhaps looking for Edgar Rosethorn to congratulate him?" his voice is dripping with displeasure.

Thomas disagrees with this wedding, as does I. However, I cannot simply demand to stop it. It is entirely the Stockland's choice to have Raine marry this man. I sigh and run a hand through my hair, unable to explain what I want to Thomas without sounding slightly crazy.

"No," I said at last, feeling foolish as we stood in an empty corridor with no signs of anybody coming or going, "I can't explain it, but I wanted..."

I fell silent. Thomas raised a brow. I sighed. "Never mind, we should get back to the main area and take our seats" I proposed, not looking forward to watching the ceremony.

Thomas opened his mouth to say something and then his expression changed to one of shock as I faced him, his eyes going wide. He made a strangled sound, and I turned, something barreling into me and almost knocking me over, even as my hands instinctively reached out to steady whatever or whoever the item was.

Tingles run through my body. I stare down at what looks like a white mess of fabric, the girl's head bowed low, her breathing one of panic. She lifts her head and I am still. It's Raine Stockland. I would recognize her anywhere. That gorgeous brown hair and eyes. Her hair is pulled back in an elaborate updo and the dress is of course, white, for the wedding but her makeup is smeared and it's evident that she has been crying as she tries to pull away from me, a look of panic on her face. Is she trying to flee the wedding? I feel a sense of protectiveness take over me, while Thomas moves closer, a look of intrigue on his face.

"Please" she implores me, her body trembling as I put a hand on her shoulder, her eyes scanning the hallway with desperation "please, I have to go. If you could simply tell them I went another way" she begged, her eyes big and wide.

Tell them? Tell who? I stare down at her, wishing I had the nerve to push a way a loose tendril of hair and comfort her at the same time. She looks panicked, overwhelmed, and frightened. Had Edgar Rosethorn threatened her or done something equally unforgivable?

"Miss Stockland" my voice is gentle, "who are you running from? Perhaps I can help?" I suggested.

Her lips curl back and she shakes her head, desperately looking behind her. She pulls away to my great disappointment. "I don't have time to explain, but I no longer want to marry mister Rosethorn and I need to leave before my family gets wind of this. I'm so sorry for bumping into you" she apologized and then gathered up her skirt, which I realized was hindering her in running, and began to run past me, even as I tried to prevent her.

"I have to go" she whispered between quivering lips.

I tried to reach for her. Thomas moved out of the way, a look of compassion in his eyes. It was clear that he felt for the girl. My hand reached out but missed her by inches as she sprinted down the hallway. There was a look of desperation on her face. I glanced at Thomas. "Follow her" I instructed.

He looked confused but began to follow my instructions. I could hear the sound of approaching footsteps and waited, knowing that whoever was pursuing Raine Stockland was no doubt about to make an appearance.

Edgar Rosethorn was the first to appear. He halted in his footsteps as he saw me and he made an effort to smooth down his suit, his complexion ruddy and his cheeks red. "Mr Drake" he greeted me cordially as several other people appeared in the doorway, people that I suspected were Raine's family from the way they looked and the anger on their faces. "I don't suppose you might have seen my bride wandering these halls by any chance?" he asked smoothly "I fear she might have gotten cold feet and I want to reassure her that I'm going to take good care of her."

"Yes" the woman that I suspected had to be her mother or rather adoptive mother, I remembered from the file of information I had Thomas gather on Raine, "I think she's gotten nervous, the poor thing. As her mother" she placed a hand on her chest and gazed at me earnestly "it's my job to reassure her and convince her to do what's right."

I was inwardly smirking. Now that I had gotten a close look at these people, I could tell instantly what they were like from their character alone. There was nothing likable about them. The way they spoke, and the way they moved, all screamed arrogance. They had served Raine to Edgar Rosethorn on a platter and being the sensible girl that she was, she had seen sense at the last minute and decided the best option for her was to run away. I applauded her for being so courageous in the face of these despicable people. It only made me more intrigued with her. I wondered where exactly she was attempting to run to. Hopefully Thomas had managed to catch up with her. I calmly smiled at the small group of people who were looking at me expectantly and nodded towards a different direction.

"I believe that I might have seen your bride go in that direction" I lied with a straight face "she looked to be in an awfully big hurry" I added, unable to help myself as Edgar Rosethorn nodded and immediately began to rush off with the others right behind him.

"Good riddance" I muttered and turned back in the other direction, following behind Thomas's footsteps. It lead to outside but as I approached, Thomas headed towards me, a look of chagrin on his face. I raised a brow, instinctively knowing what he was about to say and feeling a pang in my chest. I should have insisted she stay behind me and protected her, I thought inwardly, instead of letting her run off so quickly.

"Sir" Thomas looked wretched "I followed her but she managed to hitchhike a ride before I could prevent it. I apologize for the mistake."

So she had hitch hiked in order to get away? Raine Stockland was proving to be far more interesting and capable than I had envisioned. My lips twitched slightly as I wondered how Edgar Rosethorn was going to react when he discovered that his bride had not only left him, but had hitch hiked out of the church parking lot. It struck me as highly amusing. The girl had guts, I gave her that. I had a feeling that she would be fine in the outside world without her family. The file had said she had worked part time jobs after all. If anybody was grieving Raine's hasty escape, it was no doubt her mother and father who would be losing money for failing to provide Edgar Rosethorn with a bride.

"Never mind Thomas" my voice is dismissive as he looks at me concerned "I have a feeling that I will be running into Raine Stockland again soon. I wish her the very best" my voice drips with meaning "and I think she has a bright future ahead of her."

Thomas looks relieved. "What about the wedding? Edgar Rosethorn is bound to be angry" he pointed out.

I waved a dismissive hand. "Don't stress. Edgar Rosethorn's wedding is not our concern. As for not doing business with his company, I will have a letter sent to him to relay the information instead" my lips twitched "I think the man is going to suffer enough disappointment for today as it is."

Thomas chuckled and nodded. I gestured to the limousine. "Seeing as the wedding is no doubt going to be canceled, I propose we go and have a drink and relax" I suggested "have some time away from the office. I wonder if there is a pub nearby" I added, glancing at him thoughtfully.

He grinned. "I can look it up on my phone."

He already had it out when I looked at him. I smirked and then got inside the limousine, leaning back in my chair. I would let myself relax just this once, I thought appreciatively, unable to get Raine Stockland out of my head, and then it would be back to business as usual. It was a shame, I thought, as Thomas joined me, because even in that rather questionable wedding dress, Raine Stockland had been stunning. She would have put any other bride to shame. What a waste, I thought shaking my head, but at least she wasn't having to marry another man against her will. The thought of her being my bride, suddenly filled my head and caused me to still. What were all of this fanciful notions and why did they continue to fill my head? How could one girl have this much power over me? A drink, I thought, would not only help me to forget about her and what I couldn't have, but also perhaps, allow me to distract myself by finding some company for the night.