Read Online Lured to the Night (The Brotherhood Series Book 4) by Adele Clee - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Adele Clee
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thoughts were so chaotic, in such a state of disarray, that she doubted she’d be able to object to anything. Besides, she needed to hear all the gory details of Nikolai’s demise if she were ever to believe it was true.
Not being a man to bow to anyone, Douglas gave a curt nod. “The name’s Douglas, and this is Lachlan.”
Lachlan merely raised his chin in acknowledgement. Since witnessing her deformed features, he had struggled to look her in the eye. The invisible barrier that now stood between them felt as solid as a wall of stone, one she might never have the strength to climb. She didn’t blame him. No one wanted to see a person they were once going to marry stripped of their humanity. No one wanted to believe that the nightmares they had heard as a child were real.
The lady took her husband’s arm and turned to face her. “We have much to discuss. There are many things to tell you, many questions we have of our own.”
Isla forced a smile although guilt flared for the appalling way she had behaved. “It has been a traumatic night. I was not of sound mind when I attacked you, and so I ask for your forgiveness.”
“We are all guilty of acting in a way we later come to regret.” Ivana hugged her husband's arm, a small inconspicuous gesture yet it suggested the couple had not always been as enamoured with each other as they now appeared. “I am the last person to judge. I am the last person to condemn anyone for using violence as a way of coping with fear.”
Isla curtsied, suddenly recalling that this considerate woman, whom she would have sunk her fangs into, was a marchioness. “Thank you, my lady, for your kindness and compassion.”
“You must call me Ivana. As Leo said, we are not ones for formality. And I am certain when we leave here we shall do so as friends.”
“Can we nae continue with the pleasantries inside?” Douglas visibly shivered. “With my poor circulation, I’m sure to lose a few toes if I hover about here much longer.”
Even in her subdued mood, Isla could not help but chuckle inwardly at her old friend’s blunt manner. “Come, Douglas, we’d not want to see you spend the rest of your days hobbling about with a stick. I’ll speak to Malmuirie. She can heat some of her mint and rosemary balm and give them a thorough rub.”
“She’s nae using her potions on me.” Douglas snorted. “I’d nae let that woman near my dog let alone my feet.”
“A dram of whisky will soon get the blood flowing.” Lachlan patted Douglas on the back, his suggestion bringing a grin to both of their faces. When Lachlan’s gaze caught hers, the smile touching his lips faded.
Like the turbulent motion of the sea on a stormy night, her stomach roiled.
Being alone together in the forest, the intimate way he had taken care of her, had gone some way to healing the pain of her past transgressions. Whether they chose to ignore the fact or not, they were connected on a soul-deep level. Just when she hoped they could salvage something from the wreckage of their once blossoming relationship, he’d discovered her shameful secret. Now he did not look at her in the same warm, reassuring way. Now he was distant, aloof.
“Take our guests inside, Douglas, and show their coachman into the kitchen where Malmuirie will provide food and refreshment.” She tried to sound confident though her throat was tight from the need to repress all the things she longed to say. “I wish to speak to Lachlan.”
She feared Lachlan would decline her request. Why would he want to be left alone with a monster? But offering a curt nod, he stood silently and waited while Douglas ushered the guests inside.
“You … you do not have to stay here, Lachlan.” Relieving him of any burden was the most prominent thought to enter her mind. “You should go home. You should go to Edinburgh and forget everything you have seen and heard this evening.”
Leave here and forget you ever met me.
“You want me to pretend none of
Not being a man to bow to anyone, Douglas gave a curt nod. “The name’s Douglas, and this is Lachlan.”
Lachlan merely raised his chin in acknowledgement. Since witnessing her deformed features, he had struggled to look her in the eye. The invisible barrier that now stood between them felt as solid as a wall of stone, one she might never have the strength to climb. She didn’t blame him. No one wanted to see a person they were once going to marry stripped of their humanity. No one wanted to believe that the nightmares they had heard as a child were real.
The lady took her husband’s arm and turned to face her. “We have much to discuss. There are many things to tell you, many questions we have of our own.”
Isla forced a smile although guilt flared for the appalling way she had behaved. “It has been a traumatic night. I was not of sound mind when I attacked you, and so I ask for your forgiveness.”
“We are all guilty of acting in a way we later come to regret.” Ivana hugged her husband's arm, a small inconspicuous gesture yet it suggested the couple had not always been as enamoured with each other as they now appeared. “I am the last person to judge. I am the last person to condemn anyone for using violence as a way of coping with fear.”
Isla curtsied, suddenly recalling that this considerate woman, whom she would have sunk her fangs into, was a marchioness. “Thank you, my lady, for your kindness and compassion.”
“You must call me Ivana. As Leo said, we are not ones for formality. And I am certain when we leave here we shall do so as friends.”
“Can we nae continue with the pleasantries inside?” Douglas visibly shivered. “With my poor circulation, I’m sure to lose a few toes if I hover about here much longer.”
Even in her subdued mood, Isla could not help but chuckle inwardly at her old friend’s blunt manner. “Come, Douglas, we’d not want to see you spend the rest of your days hobbling about with a stick. I’ll speak to Malmuirie. She can heat some of her mint and rosemary balm and give them a thorough rub.”
“She’s nae using her potions on me.” Douglas snorted. “I’d nae let that woman near my dog let alone my feet.”
“A dram of whisky will soon get the blood flowing.” Lachlan patted Douglas on the back, his suggestion bringing a grin to both of their faces. When Lachlan’s gaze caught hers, the smile touching his lips faded.
Like the turbulent motion of the sea on a stormy night, her stomach roiled.
Being alone together in the forest, the intimate way he had taken care of her, had gone some way to healing the pain of her past transgressions. Whether they chose to ignore the fact or not, they were connected on a soul-deep level. Just when she hoped they could salvage something from the wreckage of their once blossoming relationship, he’d discovered her shameful secret. Now he did not look at her in the same warm, reassuring way. Now he was distant, aloof.
“Take our guests inside, Douglas, and show their coachman into the kitchen where Malmuirie will provide food and refreshment.” She tried to sound confident though her throat was tight from the need to repress all the things she longed to say. “I wish to speak to Lachlan.”
She feared Lachlan would decline her request. Why would he want to be left alone with a monster? But offering a curt nod, he stood silently and waited while Douglas ushered the guests inside.
“You … you do not have to stay here, Lachlan.” Relieving him of any burden was the most prominent thought to enter her mind. “You should go home. You should go to Edinburgh and forget everything you have seen and heard this evening.”
Leave here and forget you ever met me.
“You want me to pretend none of
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