Corin & Angelique (After the Fall of Night) Read Online Free PDF

I love the way the meadow runs along the creek on the other side…your side. It’s a beautiful view.”
    “Yes, it is. Absolutely beautiful,” he agreed, but not referring to the landscape.
    “And you’re welcome to take a walk on my side anytime,” he added with a devilish grin.
    She looked away and twirled a strand of hair around her finger, the demure gestures telling him she’d caught the double entendre.
    With her focus momentarily off him, Corin seized the opportunity to scan the woods around them. He didn’t detect any other presence, but he couldn’t be sure that whoever, or whatever, it was out there with them only minutes prior was now gone.
    “Is there something wrong?” Angelique caught him looking around. Faint howls of crying wolves rode on the wind.
    “No. Everything’s fine,” he replied nonchalantly, not wanting to alarm her. “That doesn’t frighten you, knowing there are wolves nearby?”
    “I hear one from time to time, but I don’t worry much about them. What few wolves we have remaining keep to the denser areas,” she told him.
    “I was thinking, if you don’t mind, I’d like to walk you home…see a bit of Jaffler land.”
    “It’s a long walk from the farmhouse back to the estate. Are you sure?”
    “What’s a few acres more?” he teased. “The truth is I’d love the company.”
    “In that case, I must accept.”
    On their walk, Angelique reminded Corin of their first meeting on the night of his arrival in Hixton a month earlier. She confessed being tempted to pay him a visit at the estate, but that she’d decided against it, thinking their unplanned encounter hadn’t acquainted them enough to warrant visiting him at his home.
    As they approached the farmhouse, Tomes rose from the shadows of the wide porch stretching across the front of the structure. His gaze fell on Corin, staring him down. Corin felt the burn of his scrutiny and knew Tomes wanted to tear his head off for daring to come near his sister.
    “What are you doing out with this guy, Angel?” Tomes demanded.
    “Tomes, honestly, he just walked me home,” Angelique answered.
    “I don’t want you seeing him…not him!”
    “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but you have no say when it comes to who I choose to spend time with. I’m not going to let you dictate who I can and can’t see,” she countered. “We may live under the same roof, but I’m a grown woman.”
    “You don’t know what I know, Angel,” Tomes argued.
    Corin realized Tomes wanted to elaborate further, to make her understand.
    “I think you should leave.” Tomes shifted his focus back to Corin.
    “Tomes! Don’t be so rude!” Angelique scolded. “Corin, I apologize for my brother.”
    “It’s okay,” Corin assured her, passing Tomes a firm look. “Besides, I’d best be going.” He let the matter slide, not wanting to upset Angelique any further.
    “Thank you for the company.”
    “I should thank you for walking me home. I hate to own up to it, but I did get a little scared out there tonight. I sure was relieved when I saw you.”
    “What happened, Angel?” Tomes asked with concern.
    “Your sister just got a little spooked, that’s all,” Corin told him. “Although, for the time being, you should try and dissuade her from going out into the woods alone after nightfall. It isn’t safe.”
    Ending their conversation on that note, he bid them goodnight and retreated into the darkness.

 
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER THREE
     
     
    Marshal Jordon Black
     
    Jordon Black sat in a booth at the Black River Falls Diner poking at the remains of his roast beef sandwich and fries. He pulled a newspaper article from his inside coat pocket and spread it out on the table. His bluish-gray eyes skimmed over the words. He circled several names of interest, stopping and looking up when a waitress appeared with his check.
    “Where might I find the local Sheriff’s Office?” he inquired.
    “The police station is on Chester