The Lady and the Earl by Clark Diedre

Author:Clark, Diedre [Clark, Diedre]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-07-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Connor burst through the doors to Allana’s room in a frenzy. Darkness met him, causing him to stumble over an object that was out of place. He stared at it for a moment, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness in order to decipher what he’d tripped over. It was a round table which used to be on the other side of the room over by the terrace doors. What was it doing over here? His stomach dropped as he took in the rest of Allana’s dark, disheveled room. It was a disaster.

“Allana!” Connor called out. Where was she? Fear gripped him as he searched for her.

He was unsure what he would find, but he definitely was not expecting to find her unconscious body on the floor in the condition it was in. Her face was bruised and swollen with dried blood smeared across it and fresh blood oozing from her nose and bottom lip. Her left eye was turning a nasty purple color and was swollen shut. Her hair was sprawled out around her head tangled in knots, and her clothes had been torn around the bodice, exposing parts of her chest that brought anger and fear to Connor’s soul. Had she been defiled? There were bruises around her neck and arms, and she had blood spatters across her gown. She looked as though she’d been run over by a stampede of horses.

Connor glanced around the terrace for signs of her attacker but knew he would not find anyone there. He had announced himself before entering the room, giving the intruder time to get away. Connor was furious. Who had done this? If he ever found out, he would kill the man.

He moved over his limp sister, heart aching for her. “Allana, wake up,” he said soberly. She moaned when he lifted her head to his lap. “Oh Lana, who did this to you?”

A woman gasped from behind him. Connor looked just in time to see Martha fall to her knees where she wept from the sight of her mistress.

“Martha, you must fetch my father. Martha? Martha!” She was in shock. “Martha, did you hear me?” Connor said loudly, gaining her attention.

She nodded.

“Good. Go, and on your return, bring warm water to clean her wounds.”

“Yes, Sir.” The old, gray-haired woman climbed to her feet and left the room quickly.

Connor put his arms under his sister to pick her up. She felt his presence and panicked, struggling against his hold. It was a weak struggle, but it almost caused Connor to drop her.

“No, please,” she whimpered when he refused to let her go.

His heart broke at the sound. “Allana,” Connor said soothingly. “It’s Connor. You are safe now.”

She tried to open her eyes, but they were too swollen. She sobbed from frustration and fear.

“Shhhh, I’m here. You’re truly safe. He’s gone.”

She relaxed enough for him to carry her to her bed and cover her exposed body with a blanket. He brushed her matted hair away from her face, and his own tears slipped down his cheeks.

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