was visible on the left shoulder blade no doubt from the jolts of electricity. There were a few small burns on his right hand and on other various parts of his torso where the copper wires had been attached.
Glenna circled around to face him. The handsomeness he possessed still lingered, lurking at the surface. The prominent cheekbones, strong jawline, sensual lips, and his patrician nose made for a perfect profile. Or maybe she merely wished it to be so. His chest was as muscular as his back, with a light dusting of curly black hair scattered across it. Surprisingly, she found herself attracted to him, regardless of his scars, bruises, cuts, and grayish skin. She shook the inappropriate thoughts from her mind. It must be a lingering desire for Ravenswood that she projected on Luke. Again, she thought of them as separate entities. Amazing.
Perhaps when the stitches came out and the injury appeared not as red and swollen, it would improve his countenance even more. Regardless, he would attract attention wherever he went and not the right sort. As Reed observed, they cannot keep him chained in the cellar indefinitely.
Luke watched her closely, his gaze shrewd and inquisitive, his eyes never leaving her. She must tell him something, he deserved insight about his appearance and why he remained cloistered away in a cellar. Glenna cleared her throat. “From what I understand you were in a horrible carriage accident. You lost a hand, fractured a leg, and sustained a grievous head injury and substantial facial lacerations. You were in a coma for days. You were not expected to survive.” Glenna paused. As it stands, so far she told the truth. Blast, she hated lying. “I do not know who you are. My cousin thought he could…err…stimulate you out of the coma with electro-therapy.” Her vivid imagination certainly came in handy.
Reed walked into the room at that moment and nodded at her words, as if agreeing with her fabrication. “That’s all we can tell you for now,” Reed interjected. He laid a pile of clothes on the metal table next to Luke. A pair of leather gloves sat on top. “These garments were my father’s. The trousers will be short, but here is a pair of boots.” Glenna noticed they were Ravenswood’s. She shot Reed an annoyed look, but he ignored her. “You can merely tuck in the legs. The shirt should fit somewhat. Now, would you like to lie back down or do you wish assistance in dressing? Answer me if you can.” Reed’s words were cool in tone, but at least he addressed Luke directly.
“Dddresssss.”
“Very well. Glenna, if you would please leave the room?”
How laughable. She’d seen Luke naked already, but for propriety’s sake she stepped outside the door.
Then Reed spoke in a clear, emotionless voice. “You are to do as we say. Our servants return tomorrow. You are to stay below stairs and remain quiet as you need to convalesce and regain your strength and recover from your injuries. Later tonight, I will move you into the study. There is a fireplace and a comfortable sofa to sleep on. But know this: You will put us all in danger if anyone finds you here. Do you understand?”
“Yessss. Uuunddderstand.”
“Yes, well. Hmmm. Not sure the trouser leg will fit over the boards for your fracture. One moment, I can cut off the material at the knee.”
Glenna’s blood froze at Reed’s words. Everyone living in the surrounding area knew of Ravenswood and his horrid reputation, not to mention the fact he died in a spectacular fashion. How could they even try to explain a walking, breathing, reanimated Lucas Madden? Yes. They were all in grave danger.
Chapter 7
Luke lounged on the leather sofa staring into the flickering flames from the nearby hearth. An untouched bowl of beef stew sat on the table next to him. Resting upright with his legs stretched out in front of him, he mulled over the bits of information given to him. Why did he believe there was more to the story? No choice
Glenna circled around to face him. The handsomeness he possessed still lingered, lurking at the surface. The prominent cheekbones, strong jawline, sensual lips, and his patrician nose made for a perfect profile. Or maybe she merely wished it to be so. His chest was as muscular as his back, with a light dusting of curly black hair scattered across it. Surprisingly, she found herself attracted to him, regardless of his scars, bruises, cuts, and grayish skin. She shook the inappropriate thoughts from her mind. It must be a lingering desire for Ravenswood that she projected on Luke. Again, she thought of them as separate entities. Amazing.
Perhaps when the stitches came out and the injury appeared not as red and swollen, it would improve his countenance even more. Regardless, he would attract attention wherever he went and not the right sort. As Reed observed, they cannot keep him chained in the cellar indefinitely.
Luke watched her closely, his gaze shrewd and inquisitive, his eyes never leaving her. She must tell him something, he deserved insight about his appearance and why he remained cloistered away in a cellar. Glenna cleared her throat. “From what I understand you were in a horrible carriage accident. You lost a hand, fractured a leg, and sustained a grievous head injury and substantial facial lacerations. You were in a coma for days. You were not expected to survive.” Glenna paused. As it stands, so far she told the truth. Blast, she hated lying. “I do not know who you are. My cousin thought he could…err…stimulate you out of the coma with electro-therapy.” Her vivid imagination certainly came in handy.
Reed walked into the room at that moment and nodded at her words, as if agreeing with her fabrication. “That’s all we can tell you for now,” Reed interjected. He laid a pile of clothes on the metal table next to Luke. A pair of leather gloves sat on top. “These garments were my father’s. The trousers will be short, but here is a pair of boots.” Glenna noticed they were Ravenswood’s. She shot Reed an annoyed look, but he ignored her. “You can merely tuck in the legs. The shirt should fit somewhat. Now, would you like to lie back down or do you wish assistance in dressing? Answer me if you can.” Reed’s words were cool in tone, but at least he addressed Luke directly.
“Dddresssss.”
“Very well. Glenna, if you would please leave the room?”
How laughable. She’d seen Luke naked already, but for propriety’s sake she stepped outside the door.
Then Reed spoke in a clear, emotionless voice. “You are to do as we say. Our servants return tomorrow. You are to stay below stairs and remain quiet as you need to convalesce and regain your strength and recover from your injuries. Later tonight, I will move you into the study. There is a fireplace and a comfortable sofa to sleep on. But know this: You will put us all in danger if anyone finds you here. Do you understand?”
“Yessss. Uuunddderstand.”
“Yes, well. Hmmm. Not sure the trouser leg will fit over the boards for your fracture. One moment, I can cut off the material at the knee.”
Glenna’s blood froze at Reed’s words. Everyone living in the surrounding area knew of Ravenswood and his horrid reputation, not to mention the fact he died in a spectacular fashion. How could they even try to explain a walking, breathing, reanimated Lucas Madden? Yes. They were all in grave danger.
Chapter 7
Luke lounged on the leather sofa staring into the flickering flames from the nearby hearth. An untouched bowl of beef stew sat on the table next to him. Resting upright with his legs stretched out in front of him, he mulled over the bits of information given to him. Why did he believe there was more to the story? No choice
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