Read Online Druid Surrender (A Druid Quest Novel Book 1) by Stacey Brutger - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Stacey Brutger
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yours, do you?”
It wasn’t a question.
Lydia gave a brittle smile. “Of course not. The three of us will simply have to make do with one maid.”
Angelica’s lips tipped up into another smirk. “Wonderful. I would hate to show up in a shabby dress for my first night in the house.”
Without waiting for a reply, Angelica disappeared back into her room. Lydia narrowed her eyes, preparing for battle, when Brighid grabbed her arm. “She’s not worth it.”
Lydia turned, her face red. “She’s gone too far.”
Brighid laughed. “She was trying to get a reaction. Don’t give her the satisfaction.” Brighid didn’t give a damn if Angelica thought her beneath her. Though her snide comments were annoying, Angelica didn’t pose a serious threat.
Lydia released a heavy breath and smoothed out her skirts. “You’re right. Why don’t I show you where you will be staying?”
The room she presented was small, more reserved, almost utilitarian compared to the other room. It reminded her of the dorms she lived in at the school, and a wave of homesickness threatened to crush her chest.
“It’s not much, I’m afraid.”
Brighid waved her away. “It’s perfect. Don’t trouble yourself about it at all.”
Lydia lingered, randomly touching the dresser, checking for dust. “We have our work cut out for us. I hate to say it, but Angelica is correct. The first thing we must address is your clothes.” Lydia’s eyes flickered to her clothing, then dropped to Brighid’s chest and delicately cleared her throat. “You’re bigger in the bust than I, but shorter. With a few small alterations, I believe some of my dresses could fit.”
“I’m sure they will be fine. Thank you.”
Lydia blew out a heavy breath, as if resigning herself to an insurmountable task. “We have a bigger problem. My mother. She is shrewd, and will sniff out any hint of deception. For this to work, we’ll need to keep you out of her way as much as possible.”
“That might be best.” Something inside Brighid rebelled at deceiving an old woman, and the siblings’ audacious plan set her temper to brewing once again. “I have no idea what Wyatt could have been thinking.”
Lydia stiffened, as if fearing she might back out. “You agreed to help.”
“To be a romantic interest, not his blasted fiancée.”
Lydia plucked at the material of her skirt, her chin rising. “We’re simply trying to help.”
“I never asked for any help.” If Brighid had any sense left, she would leave immediately.
“You’re in danger.” Lydia’s brows knitted in annoyance. “What is so wrong with staying here for a week or two and allow Wyatt to protect you?”
Brighid crossed her arms to shield herself against the thrill of spending more time with him, and part of her ire melted. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t take long for him to realize she was more trouble than she was worth. “The villagers tried to burn me at the stake for being a witch. That’s a little beyond something he can fix.”
Interest lightened Lydia’s eyes at the prospect of juicy gossip. “Why would they think you’re a witch?”
She nearly flinched at the question, barely covering the small tell. “Because of the frequent accidents at the mill, the villagers believe I placed a curse on the factory, and they’ll try to kill me again. My stay here will endanger everyone.”
Lydia stubbornly shook her head. “Wyatt won’t allow that to happen.”
Brighid conceded defeat. No matter how many protests she threw up, Lydia would remain staunch in her conviction that Wyatt would solve the problem. In some ways, it was sweet to be able to trust someone so much.
But in her case, it would be foolhardy.
Lydia hesitated by the door, her hand on the knob. “About my brother—”
Brighid ducked her head, her insides turning to a block of ice. “You don’t have to worry, I have no designs on him.”
Lydia lifted her chin, her face almost eager. “You could. Have designs on
It wasn’t a question.
Lydia gave a brittle smile. “Of course not. The three of us will simply have to make do with one maid.”
Angelica’s lips tipped up into another smirk. “Wonderful. I would hate to show up in a shabby dress for my first night in the house.”
Without waiting for a reply, Angelica disappeared back into her room. Lydia narrowed her eyes, preparing for battle, when Brighid grabbed her arm. “She’s not worth it.”
Lydia turned, her face red. “She’s gone too far.”
Brighid laughed. “She was trying to get a reaction. Don’t give her the satisfaction.” Brighid didn’t give a damn if Angelica thought her beneath her. Though her snide comments were annoying, Angelica didn’t pose a serious threat.
Lydia released a heavy breath and smoothed out her skirts. “You’re right. Why don’t I show you where you will be staying?”
The room she presented was small, more reserved, almost utilitarian compared to the other room. It reminded her of the dorms she lived in at the school, and a wave of homesickness threatened to crush her chest.
“It’s not much, I’m afraid.”
Brighid waved her away. “It’s perfect. Don’t trouble yourself about it at all.”
Lydia lingered, randomly touching the dresser, checking for dust. “We have our work cut out for us. I hate to say it, but Angelica is correct. The first thing we must address is your clothes.” Lydia’s eyes flickered to her clothing, then dropped to Brighid’s chest and delicately cleared her throat. “You’re bigger in the bust than I, but shorter. With a few small alterations, I believe some of my dresses could fit.”
“I’m sure they will be fine. Thank you.”
Lydia blew out a heavy breath, as if resigning herself to an insurmountable task. “We have a bigger problem. My mother. She is shrewd, and will sniff out any hint of deception. For this to work, we’ll need to keep you out of her way as much as possible.”
“That might be best.” Something inside Brighid rebelled at deceiving an old woman, and the siblings’ audacious plan set her temper to brewing once again. “I have no idea what Wyatt could have been thinking.”
Lydia stiffened, as if fearing she might back out. “You agreed to help.”
“To be a romantic interest, not his blasted fiancée.”
Lydia plucked at the material of her skirt, her chin rising. “We’re simply trying to help.”
“I never asked for any help.” If Brighid had any sense left, she would leave immediately.
“You’re in danger.” Lydia’s brows knitted in annoyance. “What is so wrong with staying here for a week or two and allow Wyatt to protect you?”
Brighid crossed her arms to shield herself against the thrill of spending more time with him, and part of her ire melted. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t take long for him to realize she was more trouble than she was worth. “The villagers tried to burn me at the stake for being a witch. That’s a little beyond something he can fix.”
Interest lightened Lydia’s eyes at the prospect of juicy gossip. “Why would they think you’re a witch?”
She nearly flinched at the question, barely covering the small tell. “Because of the frequent accidents at the mill, the villagers believe I placed a curse on the factory, and they’ll try to kill me again. My stay here will endanger everyone.”
Lydia stubbornly shook her head. “Wyatt won’t allow that to happen.”
Brighid conceded defeat. No matter how many protests she threw up, Lydia would remain staunch in her conviction that Wyatt would solve the problem. In some ways, it was sweet to be able to trust someone so much.
But in her case, it would be foolhardy.
Lydia hesitated by the door, her hand on the knob. “About my brother—”
Brighid ducked her head, her insides turning to a block of ice. “You don’t have to worry, I have no designs on him.”
Lydia lifted her chin, her face almost eager. “You could. Have designs on
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