Heart of Darkness Read Online Free PDF

that was of any significance, she didn't
know. But the thought rebounded around her brain like a bouncing
ball.
     
    Cautiously, Isabeau watched him wet his lips
with the tip of his tongue and then saw the slight infinitesimal
twitch of his shoulders, which bespoke of his inner tension.
Curious now, she waited for him to speak.
     
    "Unfortunately for me, I'm one of your kind."
He grimaced. "Wolfe always did have the luck of the dogs."
     
    Frowning at him in confusion, for what
did he mean, one of her kind? Human? What other kind was there? Did
he mean that he too had the strange powers and talents she had
inherited? And why was he inferring that Wolfe was not of a
similar kind as this stranger
and herself?
     
    "What do you mean?"
     
    He shrugged and replied, "We are of the
light."
     
    His words uncannily picked up on her earlier
thoughts, but again, what did he mean? Light as in good and dark as
in evil? If so, why would he be friends with Wolfe, who was
obviously of the dark and subsequently...evil?
     
    Confused, Isabeau ducked her head and studied
the carved wood of the bed stand.
     
    When he seemed quite content to simply hover
there, looking over her body with covetous eyes and saying little,
she licked her lips and murmured softly, "Please may I eat whatever
you've brought?"
     
    A sheepish smile graced his lips and he
muttered apologetically, "More used to being served than being the
server, I'm afraid. Of course, you may eat and with my
pleasure."
     
    He settled the tray on the bed and stepped
backwards, almost as though her proximity would tarnish him
somehow.
     
    She tried not to be offended and had he not
come bearing gifts, she more than likely would have been. However,
she merely reached for the tray, set the legs either side of her
and tucked into the hearty slices of sirloin with a poached egg and
a chunk of churned butter, the color of spun gold, and two thick
slices of wheat and seed-filled bread. She had developed quite a
hunger during her slumber, she realized.
     
    Eating with rather more relish than decorum
allowed, Isabeau enjoyed every morsel and ignored the
still-hovering man, who had yet to introduce himself to her.
     
    When she eventually finished, he said, "Long
time since I've seen a lady your age actually eat anything beyond
slight wisps of vegetables."
     
    "I'm not your average lady though, kind sir.
I can't afford to faint decorously in the parlor nor can I afford
to turn food down, when it is so generously given to me. I thank
you for allowing me to break my fast."
     
    He nodded his acceptance but ducked his head,
when she continued, "Who are you?"
     
    "A friend of Wolfe's," was all he said.
     
    She tutted her tongue and replied, "That is
of little help. Considering I do not have a jot of an idea of who
this Wolfe Sinclair, so called Night Rider, actually is, I'm
therefore lost as to who you are as well! Is he friend or foe to me
though, I suppose is the question I should be asking you..."
     
    When her voice trailed to a halt, he picked
up her words and answered quietly. "There are those who would wish
worse upon you than Wolfe does."
     
    "How reassuring!" Isabeau had to hold back a
snort at this evasive and non-answer.
     
    "Why has he asked you to do his bidding? Has
he left your manor?"
     
    "My manor?" the man retorted with raised
eyebrows.
     
    "The last time I saw a servant wear rubies as
red as those at your cravat and wrists, was in a particularly good
dream. Your shirt is of the finest linen, your jacket and breeches
tailored by the best." She smiled coldly. "My father may have died
four years ago, but he only wore the best that London's tailors
could produce. You, milord, are wearing the best. Your cravat has
been tied by a master and your hair styled and cut to the latest
fashions...If you aren't the Lord of this manor then I'm a
fairy."
     
    For some reason, that seemed to make him
laugh, but he held up a hand and relayed, "You are indeed correct.
In more ways than