Page 26 of The Secrets of Roan Island

My curiosity pushes me to ask more about this party, but I bite my tongue, not wanting to stay here another second.

With a quick nod, I turn and rush out the door, only taking a full breath once I’m safely tucked behind my locked door, farfrom Hammish Roan, all thoughts of the passageway behind the painting overshadowed by the alarming way Hammish Roan licked his lips as I left.

14

Noah

“Idon’t feel much like going to the library today,” Ruby says from across the breakfast table. She dabs her full lips with her napkin and moves her attention to the window. She seems subdued this morning, whereas other mornings she’s been full of sass.

My coffee cup hits the saucer a little too hard. “Don’t you want to research as much as you can before you go?”

Every day I’ve pulled out more books that might have something about women’s studies for her. And every day she’s insisted she’s found nothing of use. After her anger yesterday, I find myself wanting to give her something before she leaves, some tidbit of knowledge to help with her next paper.

“I’d prefer to secure a grant from your father.”

“We’ve been over this.” Using my pristine white napkin, I dab up the coffee that sloshed over the rim of my cup onto the saucer. “You aren’t getting that grant. He hasn’t granted you an audience, and he’s not going to.”

She lifts her chin indignantly. “Your father assured me he would speak to me after the new moon party.”

“What?” My chair flies back as I stand, revealing too much. Closing my eyes, I try to compose myself, then blink and turn away, reaching for the coffee service to refill my cup. One of my hearts is in my throat at the thought of my father talking to Ruby, the other is in my gut, burning with rage. “You won’t be here then.”

“That’s not what he told me.”

“When did you speak to my father?”

She doesn’t answer right away. I return to my seat and level my gaze on her. She avoids eye contact, her cheeks brighter than normal.

“Answer the question, Miss Rose.”

Her eyes lift to mine with that characteristic vigor and challenge. “We happened to run into each other.”

Vague. Tactful.

“Did he come to your rooms?” If he did, I’ll snap his neck and keep it that way, no matter how fast he heals or how he controls me. I can’t bear the thought of him alone with her. I don’t know what game he’s playing, but my father is a wild card. He’s dressing her up like a doll version of my sister to remind my brothers and me what’s at stake. But he could just as easily kill Ruby. Knowing my father has something up his sleeve makes my blood run cold.

“Don’t be so dramatic,” she scolds, her blush deepening. “It wasn’t in my rooms.”

There’s something she’s not telling me. But I let her get away with her secrets. For now. I’ll pry it out of her eventually.

I extend a hand to help her up. “I’ll escort you to the library.”

Her hand slides into mine—I’d forgotten she doesn’t wear gloves during the day—and that familiar heat burns across myskin straight to my hearts. They race in my chest, then tighten with unquenched desire.

Lying to myself that I don’t want Ruby is ridiculous. I want her, more than I can remember ever wanting anyone, and I’m afraid where that craving is going to take me on the new moon.

When I hear Ruby’s quick gasp, when her blush deepens and her eyes skitter to my face, then drop to my lips, I know I’m not alone in this attraction. That awareness makes her being on the island for the new moon even more perilous.

“I said I don’t want to go to the library today.” Her voice sounds thin and brittle. “Is there a garden where I can get a breath of fresh air?”

“It’s cold. And the wildlife isn’t friendly.” The island isn’t particularly dangerous, but it’s untamed, and I don’t like the thought of her being hurt in any way, even from something as small as the scratch of a bare branch or an insect bite. Mine should be the only teeth that taste her.

“It’s stopped raining, and I’ll stay close to the house.” She stubbornly drops my hand, and I clench my fingers as she moves toward the door.

I catch up quickly, retrieving her hand and tucking it in the crook of my elbow. I’m supposed to be experimenting today while Shemaiah keeps an eye on Ruby. But he’s not here, and the infuriating, obstinate woman is insistent.

“I have a better idea.” I lead her toward the east stairs, which are only accessible through an ancient corridor tucked discreetly between two pillars that one might miss if not aware it was there. This estate has been through many Roans, traced back for centuries, each family making their mark so the house is now an eclectic mix of additions that sometimes fail to make sense. Like the stairs that go nowhere in the south wing. This part of the mansion is older than the rest, made with thick stone walls like acastle. I’m hopeful the reveal of what looks like a secret corridor might appeal to Ruby’s need for discovering the unknown.

“So, what is a new moon party? I’ve never heard of it before.”

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