In Rapture (Destined) Read Online Free PDF Page A

exactly, are we going?”
    “I
wondered when you were going to ask that.” A mischievous smile lit up his face.
    “I’m
sorry. It’s been a rough few days. I’m not usually so rude. In fact, I should
have asked you many things.”
    “It’s
understandable, my dear. You’ve suffered a great loss this past year. We are
headed to Wickford Manor, the home of your new husband, Lord Grant Timberlin.”
    “May
I ask…I mean, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but why didn’t Lord Timberlin
come himself?” She supposed it was commonplace for grooms to use a proxy, but
it just seemed so impersonal to her.
    “He
is attending to important matters. He has important ties in Madigan’s Army,
which takes him away for a good period of time.”
    “Why
the hurry then?”
    “You
haven’t figured it out yet, have you? I expected more from you , Malinda.”
Again his eyes sparkled with mystery.
    “Excuse
me?” She looked at Bradford Marcus, and this time, she really looked at
him, using every ounce of her perception. She focused on his aura and saw a
broad spectrum of colors swirling peacefully around him. Sparkling white orbs
twinkled in small little flashes of light around him. He had the same glow she
did. This man was somehow connected to Lena and, considering that very few men
were, that made him quite extraordinary. “You are of Lena. How is that
possible?”
    “Anything
is possible, my dear. You simply have to believe.”
    “I
believe in a great many things, Sir Marcus.”
    “And
what do you believe now?”
    Malinda’s
lips turned up at one corner as her thoughts swam around inside her head. When
she heard the wind whisper through the trees she was not surprised at the
message. He needs you. “I believe that life is just about to get
interesting.”
    “Of
that you can be sure.” He slapped the reins softly on the horses in front of
them and a small chuckle left his mouth.
    “What’s
so funny?”
    “Nothing,
really. It’s just been a while since someone has actually linked me back to
Lena. It’s almost refreshing. Too bad our journey will be ending soon.”
    Malinda
smiled back at the old man and let out a long sigh. For the first time in days
she felt relaxed, almost at peace with the world around her. She knew that
wherever they were headed to, this Wickford Manor, that she would rise to the
challenge before her. Her grandmother had trained her to be a fighter, to hold
her head high no matter what she was up against.

Chapter 5
     
    Malinda
could see just an echo of Wickford Manor along the horizon, a dark shape that
lost itself in the shadowed evening. The wind blew gently across her face, a light
caress that attempted to still the hammering of her heart. The air could be
seen moving through the rows of trees, and a stream of leaves waved a greeting
to her. Would this really be home? She waited for the wind to speak to her,
heard the echoes on the wind, and was not at all disappointed when the branches
shed leaves like downy feathers that floated teasingly across the road in front
of her. Malinda watched the pattern they made, but she was too far away from
the ground to feel its message.
    After
gesturing for Sir Marcus to stop the cart, Malinda climbed down as soon as the
horses stopped. She tiptoed closer to the swirling leaves and stood amidst them
as silently as she could, taking in the gentle swirl of life that fluttered
around her. The breeze touched her face sweetly at first, but the wind picked
up and tossed her hair violently around her. The harsh sting of the strands
lashed her face. Malinda put up her hand to still the riotous locks and closed
her eyes. Now the message was clear. Wickford might look peaceful, it may
appear like a normal manor with all the eccentricities it held, but the
Adrianic magic inside her warned her that all was not as it seemed. A song
could be heard on the wind with a gentle verse of prose that tainted the
darkness around her. He needs you. Courage.
    Malinda
turned to