Page 56 of Her Dark Seduction
“My brother’s name is not Sawford. It’s Cooper. Jack Cooper.”
Light footsteps approached and a woman joined the man in the doorway. She gave a shriek of surprise.
“Valentine!”
She began to cry and Sawford embraced her, muffling her sobs, speaking soft, soothing words. A hot flame of anger choked in my throat. He’d only ever shown me coldness and contempt, yet he had a genuine affection for this woman. She was taller than I with a soft, round body and the kind of warm, earthy beauty only peasants possess; beauty which could bring a man to his knees.
“Lily, you are as comely as ever. The years have only enhanced your beauty.”
She held him at arm’s length before kissing him affectionately. Only then did she notice me, her gaze lingering on my swollen belly.
“Who is that?” Her voice was hard.
I tipped my chin and spoke haughtily, my voice equally hard. “I am his wife, Lady Lisetta of Shoreton.”
Ignoring me she turned to Sawford. “Yourwife? But I thought, after William you vowed never…”
“Who is William?” I demanded.
“No concern of yours,” Sawford snapped. “Lily, I thank you for taking us in. See to it that she makes herself useful.”
Lily raised her eyebrows, looking at me as if she could not believe I would have any use. Sawford took my elbow and propelled me forward.
“You are not the pampered lady now. You’re the same as the rest of us and will work for your living rather than expect others to serve you.”
I bit my lip, hanging my head in shame.
A light hand touched my shoulder, and I looked up to see Jack’s face, his expression kind. His eyes were as blue as his brother’s but their gaze was warm and curious rather than dispassionate and searching.
“Lily, my love, show her where she can rest. She must be tired after her journey.”
I smiled, grateful for his kindness, even though it was the cause of the tears pooling in my eyes.
“Such beautiful eyes, my lady, should not be marred by tears.”
“Sister,” I said.
“Lady?”
“Call me sister; ’tis what I am. My husband is right. I am not a lady, but the same as you.”
“Then you are welcome to our family.”
He drew me in and embraced me swiftly before handing me to his wife who led me inside.
****
When I woke it was morning and a small ray of sunlight stretched across the blanket covering my body. The previous night Lily had taken me directly to a bedchamber where I’d collapsed on the bed and fallen asleep. I had awoken some time later, Sawford’s warm body against mine, before sleep claimed me once more. Now, however, I was alone.
A murmur of voices came from somewhere, and I crept out to investigate. The daylight revealed the true size of the house. It was larger than most, clean and tidy. The upper floor had three rooms. A narrow wooden staircase led to the ground floor, which consisted of one large room and another room behind a door.
Reaching for the door handle, I heard voices from the other side and froze.
“I tell you Jack, she must be his whore.”
“Hush, Lily. My brother may have bedded every whore in the country but he would not disgrace us by bringing one into our home. He says she was Lady Mortlock so we must believe him. You can tell from her voice she’s no peasant.”
“Butmarried, Jack? To anoblewoman, the widow of a traitor barely cold in his grave! He must have abandoned reason if he expects us to conceal her while he’s off with de Beauvane.”
