by Dawn Brower
He couldn’t imagine holding the lofty title of duke. Being an earl was a big enough responsibility. He had a lot of people depending on him, and he feared one day he’d let them all down. This man didn’t need insight to all of his worries though. This was supposed to be congenial and fun.
Killian chuckled. “It’s a hard life,” he said lightly. “But someone has to live it. Tell me about your lady troubles.”
The duke remained silent for several moments. Killian was starting to believe he might not respond, but Brandon proved him wrong. “I’m not sure they’re problems or not,” he finally said. “It may be that I’m making it more difficult than I should.”
“Your Grace,” Killian said. “I believe the problem is that she has you under her spell. If you give me a wee bit more detail, perhaps I might be able to assist you in breaking it.”
Maybe in helping the duke, he’d find a way to break the spell Aubriella had woven over him as well. There was something about her… He wanted to simultaneously pull her toward him and push her away. It was the most frustrating thing he’d ever experienced. He was also afraid the side that wanted to push her away might succeed. But this conversation wasn’t about his problems with Aubriella, it was about the duke and he had to concentrate on his new acquaintance.
“She has dark red hair and eyes bluer than the sea.” Brandon sighed. “I’m afraid spending the rest of my life with her will be a trial I may not survive.”
“A wife has that effect on a man,” he said gravely. Killian frowned and then took a drink of his ale. His dark eyes narrowed as he stared across the room. “Is she, perhaps, the woman talking to my nuisance?”
Brandon turned and looked across the room. He stared at Aubriella and a lady with dark red hair. She matched the description the duke had given him for the woman he was mooning over. “She has a dark green traveling dress on,” Brandon said gesturing toward her. “And if your lady is the one with a light blue dress waving at her like a mad woman, then I’d say yes.”
The two women appeared to be arguing about something. He could be wrong, but they seemed awfully familiar with each other. The niggling feeling that Aubriella had lied to him wouldn’t go away. There was something between those two women—he’d bet his life on it.
Brandon turned back to Killian and asked, “What are the chances they know each other?”
Killian’s lips turned down as he watched the women. “Aubriella said she didn’t have family or anyone to lean on. If she’s lied to me, I think its best I find out now.”
Bloody hell. This was going to be a mess. He could see how it would all unfold, and it wasn’t going to be pretty.
“Brie,” Serenity said. “Shut up before you draw more attention to yourself.”
The last person she’d expected to see in the Stallion and Snapdragon was her stepsister. What the hell was Serenity doing in the past? How had she even gotten there? Had Trenton sought someone else to help with his mission to save Genevieve and found a willing partner in her stepsister? If so, where the hell was he? Where was Genevieve? She had so many questions and not enough answers, but mostly she had to get Serenity far away from her before Killian saw them together.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Aubriella hissed under her breath. “You’re going to ruin everything.”
Serenity closed her eyes, ignoring Aubriella. They hadn’t had the best relationship growing up, and it hadn’t softened now that they were adults. Aubriella didn’t have any warm and fuzzy feelings for either one of her stepsisters. She wasn’t about to jump up for joy now that she’d found one of them in the nineteenth century. “I’m not here trying to ruin whatever you have going on,” Serenity said. “It’s an unfortunate coincidence.”
“That explains absolutely nothing,” Aubriella said, irritated. Serenity had always been a bit obtuse. She wanted to wipe the smugness off her face. “If Killian realizes we know each other, he will insist I go off with you. I’m starting to make progress, damn it. You can’t let him figure it out.”
“If I promise not to tell him we’re related through marriage, will you stop throwing a temper tantrum?”
Aubriella glared at her. “I can feel every emotion you’re throwing my way.” She gritted her teeth. It could be quite painful to be around Serenity and made their personal relationship even more difficult then it should’ve been. “Can you roll some of it back before I punch you?”
“I dare you to,” Serenity taunted her. “It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to hit someone.” Her stepsister was driving her mad, and Aubriella had no way to tone it down. Serenity’s eyes almost sparkled with energy, daring her to give into the emotions rolling through her. “I’m not the only one throwing heat. You’re a bright red, and it’s glowing so bright its pouring into me. Calm the fuck down.”
Aubriella blew out a breath, and Serenity mirrored it. Their gifts tended to feed off each other. It was one of the reasons they’d not gotten along growing up. Every emotion was amplified tenfold. Now that Serenity was calming down, Aubriella could breathe easier.
“I’m sorry,” Aubriella said. “I’m overreacting.”
“You think?” Serenity spat out. “It’s not like I intended...”
“To do?” a strange male asked.
Aubriella tensed when she saw who followed behind him. How much had Killian overheard? How would she talk herself out of this mess? Damn it. She’d been so careful until she’d run into Serenity. If Killian had discovered anything, it would be all her fault. She shouldn’t have torn into Serenity like she had. There had to be a ready excuse she could use, and then she remembered how she’d bumped into Serenity. She blurted the first thing that came to her mind. “She spilled her darned tea all over me.”
When she turned to find her stepsister behind her, Serenity had fumbled the cup and spilled the darn tea down the front of her dress. Her light blue skirt was stained from it. The tea stain was a good enough excuse. Hopefully the two men bought it as an excuse for their argument. She had nothing else to use in a defense. Finding Serenity at the inn had ruined her composure.
“I didn’t mean to,” Serenity said. “She startled me. I didn’t realize anyone was behind me.”
The man she’d addressed frowned. Killian’s scowl matched the other man’s as he stared at Aubriella. Serenity seemed to have found a gentleman of her own. He was almost as sinfully handsome as Killian, but in her mind, no one would ever truly compare to him. Killian was her dream guy, after all. After a moment, the other man let out a breath and sighed. “The dress can be replaced. There is no reason to argue about it.”
“Easy enough for you to say,” Aubriella scoffed. “I don’t have many dresses as it is. How am I going to find the means to replace this one?”
Several ladies and a few men on the other side of the room had stopped to stare at them. Aubriella felt a wash of emotions from the onlookers, but mostly they were curious. They were also hoping for a spot of entertainment. Lucky for the crowd, Aubriella and Serenity had given them a show.
“Lass,” Killian said with irritation. “Stop making a bloody scene. I will buy you a new dress.”
This wasn’t about the damn dress, but she couldn’t tell him that. She could care less if the damn thing was stained, but she’d made her bed and now she had to find a way to live with it. This was her cover story, and she wouldn’t back down from it for anything. Serenity had willingly leaped with her into it, and for that she was grateful.
“No,” Aubriella said defiantly. “I’m already a burden to you. Something you remind me of every day.”
Aubriella was starting to think Killian saw through her façade. She wouldn’t give it up until he called her on it though. Not many could slip past the veneer her gift allowed. Killian was showing signs of discovering the truth. A part of her was glad for that. His taunts about her being helpless were one of his ways of making her admit the truth. She was too stubborn to give in.
Serenity unlatched her locket and hand
ed it to Aubriella. “Here, sell this and buy a few dresses.”
“Oh, I couldn’t,” Aubriella said bringing her hand to her chest. “It must be dear to you.” The necklace had come from Serenity’s mother, and Aubriella had no desire to take it. She was reluctant to put her hands on anything she had a part in—even a gift to her daughter.
“I insist,” Serenity said. “It will go to a good cause. I don’t need it, and you do.”
Aubriella took it grudgingly and closed her hand around it. “Thank you,” she said softly. “I apologize for losing my temper with you.” She was truly sorry, but not for what the men believed. She wanted Serenity to know that her earlier outburst had been impetuous and was begging for forgiveness. Aubriella then turned toward Killian and asked, “Were you able to secure a room, Lord Thornbury?”
He nodded. “Aye,” he replied. “A serving wench was supposed to show you to your room already.” Killian frowned and searched the room. “Where did she disappear to?”
“I wouldn’t know, my lord,” Aubriella said demurely.
Serenity covered her mouth in an attempt to hide her amusement. Aubriella kept up her innocent act and threw Serenity a warning glance when the men weren’t paying attention.
The man with Serenity leaned down and whispered something to her. Aubriella wished she could hear what he’d said. Maybe she’d ask Serenity later if she found her alone.
“Nothing,” Serenity told him. “Perhaps it’s time to retire for the evening.”
Killian glanced in their direction at her statement. “Please don’t let us keep you,” he said. “Miss Byrne, give Her Grace the necklace back. I will provide what you need.”
Aubriella glance at her and lifted a brow. Her Grace? When had Serenity become a duchess? Was the man with her a duke? Well, good for her. She definitely planned on having a longer conversation with her stepsister at a later date. There was much she had to ask her.
“That’s not necessary,” Serenity told Killian. “She needs it more than I do. I gave it to her, and I refuse to take it back.”
“You’re too kind,” Aubriella said evenly. “Perhaps his lordship is correct though and I should return it.”
She hadn’t wanted the damn necklace to begin with. Nora Byrne had given it to Serenity, and Aubriella loathed that woman. Her stepmomster had made her life miserable. She hated the idea of touching anything the woman had deemed a gift. She’d not see any way out of taking it from Serenity though. This was a way to undo that travesty and give Serenity her necklace back. She hoped her stepsister took it, but was afraid she wouldn’t.
Aubriella’s stepsister glared at her and blurted out, “I don’t have the patience for this. Keep the damn necklace, Miss Byrne.” Then she turned toward Killian, and said earnestly, “I wish you luck, my lord. I fear you’ll need it.”
Then Serenity spun on her heels and left Aubriella to her fate. The way Killian was staring at her, Aubriella feared it might not be a good one. The little interaction with Serenity had him even more wary than before. She swallowed the lump forming in her throat and prepared herself for the onslaught of questions he’d surely have.
Chapter 7
Aubriella was running out of time. If Killian had his way, they’d leave before dawn. He wanted to be at the meeting place before anyone else. She’d done everything she possibly could to stall him. There had to be a way to keep him at the Stallion and Snapdragon another day. She was at a loss on how to accomplish that goal. They were currently sitting in the ladies’ portion of the Stallion and Snapdragon having an evening meal. He kept glancing over to the tavern side. Did he want a drink, or did he hope to avoid her? Killian stared down at his teacup almost—disgusted. Finally, he looked up and gazed into her eyes. Uncertainty filled her with that pensive gaze meeting hers.
“You’ve been awfully quiet for a while,” Killian said. “What are you plotting?”
Sometimes she’d swear he had telepathic abilities. She’d have to find a way for Genevieve to meet him and find out for sure one day. “Nothing at all, my lord. I’ve nothing to discuss, so I’ve kept to myself.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Somehow, I doubt that entirely. You put on a good show, but I’m finally starting to see through your façade.”
She’d been afraid of that. Especially after he witnessed her little encounter with Serenity… Killian had been rather closed-mouthed himself since then. At first, she’d expected him to interrogate her, but he hadn’t. That made her far more nervous than she’d like to admit.
“Perhaps it is I who should question you on your motives, my lord,” she said as innocently as possible. “You seem to believe I’m up to something nefarious.” If he knew exactly what she was thinking of doing… “What are your designs where I’m concerned?”
She had one choice open to her, but she didn’t like it. Before she took such drastic measures, she’d exhaust all other options first. Even if it involved throwing herself at him in reckless abandon—keeping him safe was her ultimate priority.
“What would you like me to do?” he asked, lifting a brow. “You seem to be implying something wicked.”
“Define wicked,” she taunted. She was poking the beast and liked it a little too much. “I’m not sure we are using the same connotation for the word.”
“Quit wasting my time,” Killian said crossly. “You know exactly what I mean.”
She did, but she’d not admit that yet. They were in the beginning stages of something far deeper than mere seduction. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. Aubriella wasn’t ready to define what he meant to her, and she didn’t think he was either. Though she had been wrong before…
“Maybe I need you to spell it out to me in every last detail.” She leaned back on her chair and met his gaze defiantly. “I’ve been obtuse in the past and I want to make sure we understand each other.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Once we’re alone, perhaps I’ll drag out every naughty word I have in my repertoire.” Killian drew his gaze to her bosom and lingered there a little longer than proper. “I rather look forward to seeing you blush pink all over.”
Her skin flushed immediately at his words. Did he plan on seducing her? If so… She might be able to use that to her advantage. Was it possible to make a man so exhausted from sex he overslept? Admittedly, she didn’t have a lot of experience in that regard. She was no blushing virgin, though it was a near thing, as her experience level was close to nonexistent. Her one and only lover had left her unsatisfied. After that disastrous experience, she hadn’t bothered to try again. She’d felt desire upon occasion, but the physical act hadn’t left her with any inclination to try again. Perhaps with this man it would be different. That kiss they’d shared in the carriage had made her want to try.
“Are you f—” Aubriella cleared her throat to cover up her mistake. She’d almost said fucking. She had to think of a more appropriate word… Carefully, she said, “Are you flirting with me?”
“Would you like me to?”
Yes, she would, but somehow, she didn’t think it was that simple. This man didn’t do anything without careful consideration. The little time she’d spent with him told her that much. Every action was deliberate and served a larger purpose. What did he hope to gain with this little interaction? She tilted her head and studied him. Heat filled his gaze as he stared at her. His desire, at least, was quite real. He did want to spend a little time beneath the sheets with her. She could take that at face value if she chose to ignore the bigger picture. “It doesn’t matter what I want,” she said finally. “I’m fine with never enjoying what you’re so clearly offering me.”
“Are you?” he asked and leaned forward. He rested his elbows on the table, attempting to bring more intimacy between them. “I don’t believe you.”
Her heart beat heavily in her chest. She had to put a stop to this line of conversation and fast. If she didn’t, she’d lead him willingly to their room and have her way with him. She might not have much experience, but she ha
d enough to know what to do. “Believe what you want,” she said flippantly. “It matters not to me. I think I’ll retire for the evening since you insist in leaving before the sun rises.”
“I’d be happy to join you.”
Aubriella froze in the midst of standing, but recovered quickly and stood up straight. It had been on the tip of her tongue to deny him the privilege of spending the night with her. She might not be able to exhaust him via sex, but it would give her the opportunity to use her other means of subduing him. “Bring a bottle of wine, and I might let you.”
He jerked back surprised at her invitation. Killian had expected her to tell him to go to the devil or maybe even worse. This might be her only chance to be with him, and she’d like to find out what it was like. The wine would serve a dual purpose. It would relax her nerves a bit and maybe give her the means of drugging him into a stupor. Unfortunately, that would mean no love making, but if she was lucky enough, she might have a kiss or two before he slipped into oblivion.
“You’re sure,” he said carefully.
“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t.”
She didn’t give him a chance to respond and walked away as fast as she could without running. Debating it wouldn’t change her mind, and she had to return to the room before him. She’d need time to prepare, and that didn’t mean slipping on something sexy. The small travel bag she’d brought with her held the item she’d managed to find before she left Kingsbridge. When she’d packed it away, she’d hoped she wouldn’t have to use it. Now she realized needing it had been inevitable.
She pushed the door open to their room and took a deep breath. They had a suite of sorts, or at least what the regency era might consider one. It had one large bed and a table with two chairs. She wasn’t sure if he’d planned on sharing the bed with her originally, or had just been hopeful. It was time to prepare for her night with Killian. She closed her eyes and sent up a silent prayer for courage. She pulled a small bottle of laudanum out of her bag and palmed it—hopefully he wouldn’t hate her afterward, but she wouldn’t blame him if he did. She’d slip some in his glass of wine and wait for it to take effect. If she was lucky enough, it would keep him asleep well past dawn and delay their departure. If not, she feared they’d both die at the massacre…