Treasured By the Earl (Lords of the Night Book 4) by Sandra Sookoo

Author:Sandra Sookoo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: paranormal romance, paranormal, historical romance, regency, paranormal fiction, dragon shifter, sandra sookoo, regency paranormal
Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Victoria settled for the darkened ballroom as her refuge. It was where she’d spent happy, halcyon hours in recent days with the males in her life and where she’d felt most calm. Now, she wanted a return of those feelings.

Trembling and with tears wetting her cheeks, she laid on the floor beneath the crystal chandelier and gave herself over to the silence. Would there always be another secret lurking in the shadows to spring at her and try to undermine the bit of peace she’d tried so hard to win for herself? Panic clutched at her insides, for the unknown had the power to take away the new closeness and security she had for Evan. It was always there, circling like some sort of winged beast, waiting to pounce on her newfound happiness. There must be a terrible truth Evan hadn’t told her, the one her father had alluded to, for she’d seen the haunted darkness in her husband’s eyes.

Would that be the final piece of her past that destroyed her future?

She closed her eyes and imagined a place where nothing ugly could hurt her.

Teatime came and went. Still she lay on the cool floor, unmoving, watching the play of shadows on the sparkling crystals, on the ceiling and walls. She remained in that position sometimes dozing, so long that when Cecil entered, mild shock speared through her. It must be time for the dancing lesson.

“Mama? Why are you here in the dark?” The sound of his shoes striking the floor echoed through the silence as he ran toward her. When he reached her side, he dropped to his knees. “Are you well?” A trace of alarm ran through his voice. “You aren’t going to leave me again, are you?”

Her heart constricted and she clutched his hand. “Of course I won’t. I’m here always.”

He leaned into her line of vision, his face pale, his eyes huge and glittering in the shadows. “Shall I fetch Papa or Aunt Nancy?”

“No. Your aunt attends an engagement dinner for one of her former charges this evening.” Ever since they’d removed to Mayfair, that lady’s social calendar had expanded. “I’m certain your father will be along shortly.” She ignored the tremors of excitement twisting up her spine, but she was in no mood for instruction on intricate dance steps.

“Then I shall lay here with you so you don’t feel alone.” He stretched out on the floor on his side facing her.

“Do you often feel alone?” Victoria rolled onto her side so she could easily look at him.

“Not any longer.” He patted her cheek. “Before you came, I was dreadfully lonely with only my governess for company. But now, you are here, and Papa is much less grouchy.” In the gloom, his grin was all too evident. “He wishes to be in the same room as you, just like I do.” He held her gaze. “You fixed us.”

Her chin quivered but she gave him a small smile. “I don’t believe the both of you were broken.

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