Page 74 of A Touch So Wicked

Still smiling, Damian took the solar steps two at a time, rapped on Elissa’s door, and entered. He found her sitting on the edge of the bed, reaching for her robe.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

Elissa slanted him a defiant look. “Do you really care? How did you find out I’d left the keep?”

“Kimbra raised the alarm. You should have known better than to trust her,” he said bluntly. “Are you in pain?”

What a fool she’d been to believe Kimbra, Elissa thought regretfully. She touched her injured head. “I’ve felt better.”

“You were lucky. The bullet just grazed you. I was led to believe you were a Gordon spy.” He regarded her thoughtfully. “Why did you leave?”

She blinked up at him. “You and Kimbra were to speak your vows. I wasna willing to live at Misterly as your mistress. Kimbra hates me; life would have been unbearable had I remained.”

Her gaze wavered. “I decided to flee to Glenmoor, to my kinswoman, Christy Macdonald.”

“You weren’t fleeing to Tavis Gordon?” Damian asked with surprise.

“Nay. I’m done with Tavis.”

“There’s no need for you to go anywhere now,” Damian said. “There will be no wedding. I’m sending Kimbra and her entourage back to London tomorrow.”

Elissa’s eyes rounded and her mouth fell open. “Why? You have to wed Kimbra in order to keep Misterly.”

Damian’s determination did not waver. “I’m hoping the king will understand once he reads my letter explaining the misalliance between me and Kimbra. I can protect Misterly without Kimbra as my wife.”

Elissa leaned back against the pillows and studied Damian through narrowed lids. She tried to imagine what Damian’s decision meant for her family…and for her. She acknowledged his desire to keep his newly acquired lands, but not his stubborn compulsion to defy his king.

She was about to ask Damian to let her go to Glenmoor when Maggie opened the door and peered into the chamber. “Yer mother and sister wish to visit ye, Elissa.”

Lady Marianne entered the chamber behind Maggie. She was walking slowly, but Elissa was thrilled at the progress her mother was making.

“Mother, is it wise for you to be exerting yourself?”

“Aye, daughter, I’m determined to regain my strength.”

Suddenly Lora shot past Marianne. “Lissa! Are you all right? Mama said you were hurt. I wasna allowed to leave the solar these past two days, but I knew something was amiss.” Her gaze turned to Damian. “You dinna hurt Elissa, did you?”

Before Damian could answer, Elissa said, “’Twas an accident, Lora.” She patted the side of the bed. “Sit down beside me, both of you. How long have you been up and about, Mama?”

Lady Marianne perched on the side of the bed while Lora climbed into Elissa’s lap. “For some time now, though I havena left the solar or attempted the stairs.” She sent a meaningful look at Damian. “I need to be strong for my family. Lady Kimbra wishes us ill. ’Tis why I’ve kept Lora close since the arrival of Lord Damian’s bride.”

“You need worry no longer, my lady,” Damian assured her. “Kimbra is returning to London.”

A faint smile curved Marianne’s lips as her gaze moved from Damian to Elissa. “God moves in mysterious ways. How are you feeling, daughter? I’ve been worried despite Nan’s assurance that you suffered no serious harm.”

“As you can see,” Elissa said, “I’m fine.”

“What about the villagers, my lord? Are they being provided for? Were my husband alive, he would see to their needs.”

“The villagers are my responsibility now,” Damian said. “The cottages are being inspected for damage and the necessary repairs made. I’m providing food and whatever else they need to make them comfortable. We should fare well this winter. Ripened fruit is fairly falling off the trees, wheat is golden in the fields, and vegetable gardens are thriving. We’ve lost some sheep to reivers, but I foresee no shortage of food in the near future.”

Marianna appeared pleased. “’Tis as it should be. Misterly has always provided for its own.”

“Can you play with me, Elissa?” Lora piped up, apparently weary of grown-up talk.

“Nay,” Damian said, before Elissa could answer. “Your sister needs to rest today.”

“We’ll start lessons again tomorrow,” Elissa promised when she noted Lora’s disappointment.