Lady Wicked Read Online Free PDF Page B

extra?
Like we were being bound?”
    Jeremy nodded as he sat upright, still
feeling flattened from Amelia’s swift departure.
    “If I concentrate, it’s like I can feel her,
feel her sadness and confusion,” James continued.
    They were quiet for a moment, then Jeremy
nodded. “I can, too, and something else. I think she’s planning on
fleeing. I don’t like this, James. We have to stop her.”
    “Agreed.”
    Fully dressed they prepared to stride from
the summerhouse, Jeremy turning when he saw gold glinting in the
sunlight that streaked through the long windows to fall on the
table. She had left her mask, the delicate little thing nestled
between theirs, exactly as it should be, exactly as she should
be.
    They strode to the house, firm resolve on
their faces, Jeremy barking orders to the servants as soon as they
materialised. Moments later, their saddled horses were brought to
the front of the house and they were swinging astride, calling for
the gates to be opened as they charged from the estate, racing
towards their woman.
    Reaching her house, they dismounted, throwing
their reins over the railings.
    “I feel her,” said Jeremy, nodding towards
the house. It was like a gossamer fine thread tugging at him, and
he knew at the other end would be Amelia. The connection that had
entwined them the night before, seemed more powerful the closer he
got to her and he instinctively knew James felt the same.
    “I feel her sadness,” added James, taking the
steps two at a time, rapping on the door.
    “The mistress isn’t home,” the maid told
them, but they could feel her, knew it was a lie and the little
maid cried out in alarm as they pushed past her.
    “Amelia!” Jeremy was prepared to search every
room, turn the house upside down to find her if he had too.
    “It’s all right, Beth.” Amelia’s voice was
cool as she called to the girl. “Return to the kitchen.”
    “Shall I call for help, my lady?”
    “No, Beth. Leave us be. The gentlemen will
leave shortly.”
    “The gentlemen will not,” huffed James,
bounding up the stairs, Jeremy only a step behind. They followed
her through to the drawing room. She had changed into a pale pink
gown in simple cotton, her hair swept into a loose bun. Her eyes
were rimmed with red. “Why did you leave?” demanded James, taking
her hand.
    “I couldn’t stay,” she whispered, her face
hidden from them as she turned away, her hand sliding from his. “I
cannot love you.”
    “And me? Can you not love me?” asked Jeremy,
his heart aching for her.
    “Neither of you. Love is not for me.” Her
voice was soft, filled with sadness. “I am not what you think I am.
I will only cause you pain and suffering and I could not bear
that.”
    “Why?” Jeremy shook his head, resisting the
urge to cross the floor and turn her, take her in his arms and show
her the depth of his love.
    “I’m destined to be alone. I’m a monster. Oh,
do not ask me to explain.” She sounded so defeated, so small.
    James turned to his brother. “She doesn’t
know,” he said in surprise. “She doesn’t know what she is.” They
gazed at her in wonder.
    “It makes sense,” said Jeremy. “Why would
she? We’ve had each other to fathom why we are the way we are.
Amelia has always been alone. Damn it, we just assumed when we
should have made sure.”
    She turned then, her eyes wide. “What are you
talking about?”
    “You’re immortal,” explained James, “You will
never die. You have lived through decades, maybe even centuries and
will continue to live for all time.”
    She stared at him, aghast, realisation
dawning across her pretty face.
    “Just like us,” added Jeremy, closing the
space between them. “We’ve been alive for hundreds of years.”
    “But how?”
    “We died in battle; such violence that we
have never seen since. As our bodies died, something happened to
them. Some force brought us back, returned us to the earth. We do
not age, or catch disease. We cannot die. You