More Than a Stranger: A Sealed With a Kiss Novel by Knightley Erin

Author:Knightley, Erin [Knightley, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 2012-06-04T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Richard and I were discussing the end of term yesterday. I can hardly believe these five years have gone by so quickly. Neither my parents nor my brother are planning to attend the ceremony, not that I am surprised. I do hope, however, there will be someone in the audience who shall smile for me when it’s my turn.

—From Hastings to Evie

Evie turned to stone in Benedict’s arms as her brother’s words fell over them like a blanket of ice. Her eyes snapped to Benedict’s, utter confusion pushing out all rational thoughts. “Hastings?” she repeated numbly.

He didn’t say anything at first. He didn’t have to. The look of complete horror in his eyes spoke louder than any words he could have said. “Evie, wait—”

She shook her head, holding her hand up to stop him. No. It simply couldn’t be. Dread wrapped cold fingers around her heart, stealing her breath. “Are you or aren’t you Hastings?”

She wanted him to deny it. To laugh and tell her what an absurd notion it was. Instead, he released her and blew out an aggravated breath. “I am.”

They had lied to her? They had both lied to her? The sound of boots hitting the pebbled path punctuated her rising panic, and she looked back toward the house. She couldn’t be caught with Bened—this man, alone in the darkness.

She stumbled backward, suddenly desperate to get away. Gravel crunched angrily beneath her feet as she struggled to keep her footing.

“Benedict?” Richard called louder. He must have heard her.

“Answer him,” she hissed, anger and hurt bubbling up like acid in her throat. “He knows you’re here.”

Benedict balled his hands at his side and muttered a black curse. “Coming, Richard. Just getting some air.” His voice sounded remarkably steady. If it weren’t for the tautness of his shoulders and his clenched jaw, Evie would have never known anything was amiss. She shouldn’t be surprised—he was a damned good actor, it would seem.

He looked back at her, a myriad of emotions playing over his moon-kissed features. “Please, let me explain—”

“No,” she snapped, cutting off his whispered plea. God, he must have thought her such a fool, blithely accepting his every word as truth. She wanted to shout at him, slap him for the deceit. But there was nothing she could do now. Now, more than ever, she couldn’t be discovered with him. “Go, now, before he comes and finds me.”

He hesitated, staring at her with stricken eyes. Her own eyes pricked with tears, but she’d die before she let a single tear fall. Crossing her arms tightly across her chest, she glanced to Richard. Panic swooped through her—he was walking toward them! She turned pleading eyes to the liar before her. “Please, hurry.”

“This isn’t over,” he threatened, his voice hushed but vehement. “We will have a proper talk.” With a growl of frustration, he spun on his heel and stalked away. The panic from the fear of being discovered eased within her, but that only made room for the other, equally unwelcoming emotions roiling within her to come to the surface.

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