By Vengeance Guided (The Lost Shrines Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Tucked up on the carriage seat next to her, her niece stared out at the passing scenery and kept a constant, incomprehensible commentary.
    Across from Lia, however, Nel's silent handwringing was giving her a headache. The older woman had been a nanny to Lia and Marta growing up. She'd raised them as much as their parents had. Probably more. Now she was chatelaine of the manor house and one of Liadan's self-appointed keepers.
    Lia almost sighed in relief when Nel finally broke the tension by speaking her mind.
    "I'm concerned about Master Gui. You must take him seriously. Some of the younger members of the valley, those that don't understand tradition, they're taken with him. The elders, well, they respect the old ways, but they also remember what you were like as a child. They listen when he whispers that you're too young. Too rash."
    Lia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Let the frustration flow through her. Mustn't react rashly .
    It wasn't Nel's fault. Her chatelaine was trying to help. When Lia remained silent, Nel pursed her lips and leaned forward with her shawl gripped tightly in her hands.
    "He's up to something. Something underhanded. For weeks, he's been sneaking around. Suggesting you're too young, too flighty, to take over for your sister. Some are listening."
    "I know, Nel. I know."
    The older woman leaned back but continued to glare with narrowed eyes. "Your late night jaunts aren't helping. If anyone found out, it'd only prove his point. That you're still the same reckless girl you were before your sister died."
    Lia’s spine sharpened and her body pulled tight in surprise. "You know about that?"
    "Aye. Keneally knows every noise in the manor house. He hears you when you sneak out and waits up until he hears you come back, safe and sound."
    "Damn."
    Keneally was eighty if he was a day though no one knew for sure his exact age. He'd been managing the lands of the manor, its pastures, fields and herds for as long as anyone could remember. He'd done it for the entire time Lia's mother had led the valley, and probably part of her grandmother's time, as well. She hadn't meant to disturb anyone else with her runs, and her old advisor deserved a peaceful night's sleep.
    "Damn," she repeated and sat back.
    Nel only raised a single eyebrow to admonish her language. "I believe Gui suspects something, as well. It's only a matter of time before he catches you at it."
    She knew it was a risk. The people of Hara Dale expected their leader to be proper. A genteel lady who led with an iron will and velvet hand. Always calm. Always dignified and refined. The way her mother had been. The way her sister had been as well.
    It made Lia's skin itch.
    She was used to running through the fields, climbing trees, riding bareback. Hunting with Keneally and berry picking in the deep forest with the older children.
    She was used to pulling out her pencils or paints any time of day or night to capture whatever perfect image caught her fancy.
    It had been so long since Lia had had time for herself, the layer of dust on her supplies was thick enough to plant Keneally's prize wheat crop in.
    She'd needed an outlet after six months imprisoned in a role she never expected or wanted.
    Running through the estate while everyone else slept seemed safer than her first impulse, a few weeks ago, to join in an impromptu afternoon game of tag with some of the village boys. The way she used to. Without a second thought.
    Her personal dissatisfaction wasn't the issue though. Bigger problems threatened the valley at the moment. She turned away, letting her eyes drift over the rolling hills she no longer had time to sketch.
    "He nearly did," Lia murmured, her voice so low she barely heard it herself.
    "What?"
    This time she turned and looked Nel in the eye. "Gui. He nearly caught me."
    That took Nel by surprise. "When? How? Oh, dear."
    "A couple of weeks ago. The first night I went out for a ramble. I went to check on Tanis, after, and he saw me when I