Ashton glared at Charles over his glass of wine. His friend cocked a brow in silent question, which Ashton only answered with a dark scowl.Regina cleared her throat, attempting to dispel the growing tension in the dining room. "The tenant farmhouses start construction in a few days, I hear."Ashton set his wine down. "Yes, Higgins and Maple will be relieved. I've employed nearly every able-bodied man in the local villages to aid in the construction."Joanna was in animated discussion with Jonathan. Rosalind was picking at her food while Rafe stared into the distance, quiet and a bit pale. Ashton worried that the bullet wound might be giving Rafe trouble. That was something he'd have to see to later tonight, after he'd boxed Charles's ears for being so free with his opinions."Well, that's wonderful news indeed," Regina said.Rafe suddenly shoved his chair back from the table and stood."Rafe?" their mother asked."I'm sorry, Mother. I don't feel well and will retire for the eve
Something was definitely not right.Rosalind stood in the center of Ashton's empty bedchamber. It surprised her that she was bothered by his absence. She should have enjoyed the quiet, and yet she longed for his intense gaze and the way he made her feel as if she were the only person in the world.That was one thing she hadn't realized she would enjoy, being the sole focus of a man's attention. Perhaps it was because he was genuinely interested in her and had no wish to hurt or use herhe just wanted her. With Ashton, the world seemed to halt and it was just the two of them, even when they were quarreling.After his departure in the middle of dinner, she'd assumed he'd gone to see to his brother but would likely return. Then Charles had made his apologies, as had Lady Lennox shortly after dinner was over. Given their worried looks before they'd left, Rosalind had sensed something was wrong but wasn't in a position to pry. She'd refused to change out of her clothes and sent Claire to
Brock Kincade stood at the edge of the cemetery, staring out at the freshly upturned dirt of his father's grave. Moonlight washed the cemetery in pale cream and opalescent white. The carved headstones formed shadows almost as black as the night itself. But Brock was no longer afraid. The creature that had frightened him since he was a child was gone. Forever.His horse gave an impatient huff and stamped his hooves, no doubt anxious to be back in the stables with a blanket on his back and fresh oats in his bucket."All right, you lazy beast," Brock muttered and stroked a palm over the animal's neck as he mounted up.He departed the quiet churchyard and trotted back up the winding hill to Castle Kincade, the shallow moat filled with rainwater and the ancient wooden bridge lowered to allow passage into the keep.It had been more than a hundred years since the castle had demanded defense, but like an old wolf, it was crouched and ready to do so at a moment's notice. Soon it would be a
Rosalind barely slept that night alone in Ashton's bed. She missed the man, his warmth, his laugh, his touch. The scent of him clung to the sheets like a ghost lover. An empty bed had never bothered her before, but it did now because she knew what she was longing for. Her sweet and seductive baron.As dawn peeped in through the windows, Rosalind crawled out of bed and pulled the cord for Claire. It was going to be a long day if she continued to feel this way. She jumped when the door opened, far too soon for it to have been Claire.Ashton stood there, looking as bad as she felt."Rosalind?" He blinked, keeping his distance by remaining in the doorway. He was pale, his blue eyes heavy with shadows. "What are you doing here?""You said I was to stay in your chambers" Had she done something wrong?He walked a step farther into the room, dragging a hand through his hair. "I thought perhaps you'd take advantage and leave while I was seeing to Rafe."She bristled. "I made a promise to
Sweat coated Ashton's brow, and his fevered murmurs broke Rosalind's heart. She held her breath each time Ashton's chest rose and fell, fearing it would be his last.The illness had claimed another three lives in the village since Ashton and Rafe had fallen ill three days ago. Terror had swept through Lennox House, but Rosalind had refused to leave Ashton's side. Her heart lodged in her throat whenever he lay too still in his sheets.He had tossed about restlessly for the last hour before sinking into another frightening silence. His breathing had become shallow and his skin clammy to the touch. Every muscle in Rosalind's body tensed as she studied him, searching for any sign that he was slipping away from her.You won't leave me, Lennox. Not like this. I demand a fair fight with you, you coward. I want She prayed he could hear her thoughts. She was too afraid to utter them aloud. I want to marry you."How is he?" Regina stood by the doorway, her eyes red.The two of them had beco
Brock motioned for his brothers to stay close behind him as they snuck up to the terrace at the back of Lennox House. After three days of hard riding with barely any sleep, they'd managed to find the home of the man who held their sister captive.Brock checked the pistol he held, hoping he wouldn't have to use it, but if Lennox or his friends tried to stop them, he would. He glanced at his two younger brothers, both holding their own pistols, their faces grim as they studied the expansive country house. Thankfully there were a few lights by the windows, which helped conceal them in the darkness while they searched for a way in. Hugo's man was supposed to leave a terrace door unlocked for them."We ought to split up once inside. Search every room until we find her. Then we meet where we tied the horses. If you come across any servants or members of the household, restrain them so they cannot sound the alarm." They would not kill anyone, not unless it was absolutely necessary.Like da
The hour was late. The clock in the entryway chimed eerily in the silence. Rosalind replayed the hurtful words she'd heard Ashton and Charles say, her mind still reeling with the revelation of Ashton's betrayal. It was time to leave and return to London. She'd find a way to get her life back from Ashton's ironclad control some other way. There was no chance she would marry him now, the damned awful man.Rosalind came down the main stairs, intending to fetch a glass of water from the kitchens without disturbing Claire, and suddenly froze when she heard cloth rustle. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Someone was watching her. Doing her best to act unaware of the hidden eyes of servants, she started walking toward the servants' quarters to find Claire. The rustling of clothes was her only warning she wasn't alone.Someone grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth tightly and lifting her by the waist off the ground. She struggled, trying to kick out, but when the man star
"Where has Rosalind gone off to?" Ashton grumbled as he climbed out of bed."Who cares? The woman is trouble." Charles tried to shove Ash back onto the bed when he swayed unsteadily.There was a fuzziness in his head he couldn't shake. He needed to see Rosalind. Something in his gut clenched, a primal warning sign that something was wrong."Let me up. I need to find her." He struggled against the blankets and his friend's hands. He wasn't going to admit to his friend that he was worried she would leave. He'd begun to open his heart up to her, and if she decided to go back to London because he kept shutting her out, she would never trust him. He couldn't forget the hurt look in her eyes when he'd demanded that she leave him and Charles alone. He needed to find her and have a moment to explain everything."But""No!" Ashton nearly fell out of bed, and Charles caught his left arm, holding him up."Help me with my boots. I must find her." He panted, trying to catch his breath as the