Read Online The Succubus by Sarah Winn - Free Book Online Page A

provided a cottage, but it’s hardly adequate for Lady Miranda’s large family and the poor woman has few servants.”
    Daniel stared at her in confusion. If Isabel had married Kendrick to increase her wealth, why hadn’t she required him to provide more adequately for her family? Was she so selfish she cared naught for them? If so, it was poetic justice she now had to flee his wrath by going back to some hovel. Of course, Lady Chloe was his child, and he didn’t intend to see her living in such conditions.
    He turned fully toward Lady Lavinia. “As my uncle’s heir, I’m his child’s guardian. Once I’ve settled in here, I’ll see to her welfare.”
    Lady Lavinia nodded with satisfaction. “I do hope you’ll persuade dear Lady Isabel to come back to Tewsbarrow. She’s had great misfortune in her young life and deserves the comfort her marriage to Lord Kendrick promised her.”
    Daniel was surprised to hear Lady Lavinia, a woman who had once served the queen, speak so sympathetically about a woman as low as Isabel. Could she possibly be sincere? “Are you and Lady Isabel good friends?”
    â€œActually, Lord Kendrick was so protective of her that he kept her virtually isolated in the baron’s tower. After he became ill, however, I got to know her better. She’s a sweet girl, but terribly insecure. I suppose that’s why she felt compelled to return to her mother.”
    Daniel had trouble keeping his mouth from gaping. He couldn’t believe Isabel had hidden her true nature so successfully for a mature woman like Lady Lavinia. Perhaps he shouldn’t feel so badly over the way Isabel had fooled him. She was obviously a skilled actress.
    Master Ambrose, the seneschal, interrupted them to urge everyone to the tables where a welcoming feast for the new lord was about to be served. Daniel took his place at the large chair at the center of the head table.
    Before anyone sat down, Sir Alfred raised a wine cup and called out, “A toast to the new lord of Tewsbarrow.”
    Cups were raised around the hall and voices called out, “Hail to Lord Daniel.”
    Daniel smiled his pleasure and gestured for all to be seated. A jolly roar of conversations rose from around the hall. Apparently the people here did not hold the same awed respect for him as they held for his uncle and Daniel was glad. This seemed a far happier meal.
    Sir Alfred, his wife Lavinia, Father Clemens, Sir Robert and two of the knight tenants and their wives were the only people present of sufficient rank to sit at the head table. Lady Lavinia asked him about his time at court, and remembering her previous interest, he launched into repeating all the gossip he could remember. He even tried to recount the latest fashions for the ladies, who hung on his every word.
    When they’d wrung every detail he could remember from him, the men at the table took over the conversation, mostly commenting about the recently completed harvest. Daniel could only listen.
    Father Clemens, who sat on his left side, leaned closer and softly said, “I heard you intend to visit Lady Isabel. I hope you’ll invite her back to Tewsbarrow. I urged her to stay, and she finally told me she didn’t think you’d want her here.”
    Daniel stared at the priest for a moment, wondering if Isabel had confessed her sins to him. But if she had, surely the priest would understand Isabel’s reasons for leaving. “Why would she think I don’t want her here?”
    â€œYou didn’t meet her on your visit, did you?”
    Daniel gave his head a small shake.
    â€œShe’s a timid young woman and wasn’t married to the baron long enough to truly understand her position as the baroness. When you meet her, I’m sure you’ll see she’s sweet and unaffected and needs someone to protect her.”
    Obviously, Isabel hadn’t confessed her sins. Everyone here seemed