Page 57 of The Masked Baron
Ellis nodded. “Yes. But it is not proof that she is still alive. And why three beds and not just two?”
“I wish I had the answers you seek. Your search for your sister is an admirable thing. And I am glad to hear there is something else driving your obsession, besides just revenge.”
“Revenge,” Ellis muttered. “It sounds so wrong. But is it really black and white? Where does justice fall? Because itisjustice I seek, though I can’t deny the hatred I have for the woman who destroyed my family.” He tipped his head to the side to gauge Annie’s reaction. She turned to him, and their eyes connected. Hers were full of compassion, though he did not deserve it.
“The hatred is the real Dark Rider. Not you,” Annie said. “You were able to pull yourself away long enough to be here now. That is worth something.”
Ellis felt something dig into his gut. Guilt. A strong, overcoming wave of guilt, ready to bury him alive. He had let hatred flow through his veins for too long, scarring his soul. “I do try to make my sister the focus of my efforts. There have been many times when I felt close to some discovery. I am learning that the woods and their secrets will still be there when I get back.”
Annie seemed to understand his meaning and smiled softly. Then she pointed to his mask. “When we’re alone, do you still have to wear that?”
Ellis feigned offense. “Why? Don’t you like it?”
Annie smirked. “I fear it was a bit anticlimactic to know your face was not marred and ugly, but it’s safe to say I prefer you without it.” Her voice grew soft, and she blushed prettily.
“It’s nice to know you prefer me at all,” Ellis teased, reaching forward and tucking a curl behind her ear.
Annie shook her head in mock exasperation. “Does that mean yes or no?”
Ellis put his face close to Annie’s, causing her blush to burn brighter. “We’re not supposed to be alone.”
Annie bit her lip again, but she must have remembered what he had said earlier about the habit. Her eyes grew wide, and she visibly forced herself to relax her mouth.
Ellis gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. “Yes, I will keep wearing the mask. Originally we had only intended I wear it for a few weeks until we could secure Eliana. When we didn’t find her right away, the weeks faded into months and then years. Now it is practically who I am. I am happy to say there have been other small uses for the mask that brought out some good in all this. I have been able to act as a spy and messenger for the Crown on several occasions.”
Annie’s eyes lit with curiosity. “Can you tell me someday?”
His amusement erased the fatigue he felt. “Gladly. As soon as the Duke of Wellington gives his permission.”
She grinned, and they held each other’s gaze. He wanted to kiss her so badly his chest ached. After a moment she dipped her head shyly.
“Thank you for coming,” she said quietly. “You saved my life twice last night. I know it was a sacrifice for you to leave your search. I can only hope the distance from your home has been good for you.”
Ellis was indebted to Annie, not the other way around. Getting to know her was like waking up after a very bad dream; less and less was he thinking about his miserable lot. Beauty hadn’t been the curse on Braitwood Hall, but the cure. His wounds of anger and guilt were finally starting to heal. Maybe, someday, he could even forgive.
“Annie, I chose this life ten years ago. I will see it through to the end.” He needed her to know before anything else could be discussed. “When we return home, I will go back to the Black Forest to search. Nothing has changed, except now you know why I must return.”
Annie’s eyes betrayed her emotion. She was sad. Whether she was sad for him or for what might have been, Ellis did not know. He often wondered which direction her affections lay. As much as he wanted to kiss her again and confess the longings in his heart, she was better off with Kerrigan. Besides, Kerrigan would never forgive him for taking liberties. Ellis was torn between Annie, his best friend, and his past.
Annie pulled her cloak closer around her. Ellis hadn’t noticed the cool air. He should return her back to the house. “Come, let’s start our walk back.”
The small church behind them offered a peaceful backdrop, but grave markers had always been a haunting reminder of what he had lost.
“Ellis?” Annie hesitated before leaving the cemetery. “Do you think your parents would be happy if they looked down and saw you now?”
The question caught him off guard. He had often thought his parents would be proud of the way he had searched so diligently for Eliana. It stung, though, to think about what they would say about him hiding behind a mask and turning the town against the house of Cadogen. “I’ve had to make many difficult decisions. They might not be happy, but I think they would understand.”
Rain began to speckle the ground and spot their cheeks. The weather saved him from his last confession. He had waited this long; why not wait a little longer?
Chapter 21
Mr. Crow had been caughtand would stand trial.
Although they’d received the news before the carriage ride home, Andalin’s mind still spun over the events on the night of the ball. On her first morning back at Braitwood Hall, Andalin wished Ellis would find her and remind her not to fret.
She already missed Katrina and even Lord Kerrigan. The latter had promised to come see them in a few weeks, and bring a chaperone, to escort Andalin back to the city for another string of balls. She looked forward to his arrival, especially now that she knew how much she liked to dance—though she envisioned Ellis as her partner and no one else.
She needed a distraction. The weather had stayed nice for much longer than it did in a normal fall season, but now the cold had found them. The sharp wind whistled at the window, telling her it was here to stay for some time. Andalin resigned herself to stay indoors, immediately thinking of the warmth and company in the kitchen.
