Edinburgh, but mostly she just wanted to spend time in Nevan’s company. Watching him, even when he caused her troubles, was in its own way, comforting. In the least it was familiar as Nevan was all the family she had left.
Returning the collection of teeth back to the box, Nevan turned her way. “Do you think there are more apartments as opulent as this one in the house?”
“I suppose there could be several as I only counted five doors in the corridor. And considering those were spaced far apart, unlike our bedrooms back in New York, I’d say they could very well conceal multi-room suites.”
“Large houses make for cursed playgrounds.”
She blew out a deep breath. “Really, Nevan, you are far too wild with your thoughts. Lord Lycansay is simply a rich man. I see no reason to think everything he does, a sin. And despite this house being opulent, the marquis does not strike me as a man who spends money foolishly.”
“Well, he is no miser,” Nevan commented. “Of that I can attest, Sister. Shortly after his man Tipton showed me up here, he returned with several footmen who brought in five silver platters piled with cold meats, breads, fruit and even an assortment of warm biscuits. Hot tea has been provided as well.” He nudged his chin toward the rectangular table against the far wall.
A meal sounded delicious right about now, but to make herself a plate of food would mean she’d have to put effort into moving. And at the moment a bit of undisturbed sleep was much more enticing than was a full stomach. “I’ll have something later as Lord Lycansay said dinner will be brought up to us tonight.” She closed her eyes.
“Off for a nap, Sister?”
Nevan never ceased to irk her, though she did love him dearly. Which she had to remember. Especially while he was smack in the middle of annoying her. “Just for a bit.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind if I have another go of it with the food?”
“Of course not. You even have my blessing to feed those bloody teeth of yours.”
“And the wolf as well?”
“And the wolf.” Her brother’s imagination was endless.
Sinking deeper into the comfortable settee, tension slipped from Sarina’s shoulders, the tightness slowly unwinding, allowing her muscles to relax.
Lycansay Hall was a home she could get used to living in. And while she knew the arrangement would last only as long as it would take her to finish her father’s work, there was no harm in enjoying that time. In fact, settling in was proving to be a lot more pleasurable than she’d anticipated as she hadn’t come across one tangible crumb of evidence that proved her father’s incidents to be true.
No bouts of madness.
No blood-painted dungeons.
No spectral wolves roaming about with a hunger for human flesh.
Of course there was that one irksome comment Lycansay had made about the Hall being a dangerous place. But judging by the tension that seemed apparent between him and Ian, who knew what the marquis meant? Perhaps he just didn’t want to see her fall for the more charming MacHendrie as Ian could easily be Lycansay’s rival when it came to entertaining women. Though she herself preferred a man more responsible than the younger MacHendrie. Not that she would ever choose either one of them, but there was something about the marquis that did tempt to her, despite his arrogant nature. Campbell was different than most of the men she’d crossed paths with. His eccentric world appealed to her. In fact, despite all the oddness of Lycansay Hall, there was something about this place that made her soul feel at home. And never in her life had she’d felt that way. Not even in New York.
She sighed.
Dwelling on Campbell was muddling her senses. And the last thing she needed was to have a sinful mind interfere with her future. Investigating Lord Lycansay would have to wait until at least tomorrow when she could think with a clear head as the trip from Edinburgh had her all out of sorts, not to mention exhausted.
She relaxed her arms at her sides and allowed Sleep’s gossamer veil to blanket her. Peace and security overtook her every inch.
All was well at Lycansay Hall.
Until suddenly, it wasn’t.
Peace at Lycansay Hall was a fragile thing, thought Campbell as he followed the angry rattle of chains emitting from the dungeons. Though he had to admit it wasnae fair to say he hadnae expected trouble. Sarina Ogilvy was a serious threat to