Willoughby 03 - A Rogue's Deadly Redemption Read Online Free PDF

his arms. “How was I supposed to know you were going to choose today to take a holiday from your life?”
    “But you knew.”
    “Of course I knew. I invited her.”
    His admission hurt her feelings. It was stupid, and she hated herself for wanting to make him choose. For making her family choose, in some ways, these past years.
    “Lily, it’s been almost four years since you married. This has gone on long enough. I want you and Cordelia to be on peaceful terms with one another.”
    “Oh, we are,” she replied. “We peacefully agreed to remain on separate sides of the house.”
    “Li-ly.”
    “A-dam.”
    “What have I done to deserve living with sisters again?” Adam shook his head and stood up. “What on earth are you doing?” he asked as she tucked her head into her trunk.
    “Looking for books I have to deliver to the library tomorrow.” But the unanswered question gnawed at her, and she stopped. Met his gaze. “Is she staying?”
    “Yes. It’s high time you two found a way to coexist again.”
    “You invited her here for that? To get us talking?”
    “Yes and no. But how considerate of you to simplify that by staying here. You…” He stopped. “You’re worried about Robert. Lily, you know she would never—”
    “I have no reason to trust her,” Lily interrupted before he could say the words.
    It was heartbreaking, but a lesson she had learned long ago. Her sister was not her friend. When Cordelia was not your friend, she had the ability to change your life in a drastic, devastating way.
    “He is your husband. Cordelia would not cross that line.”
    Adam didn’t know she had left her husband, not on any permanent basis.
    He didn’t know Lily was leaving for America in a few short weeks.
    He didn’t know Robert had no reason not to cross that line once she was gone. And who knew what Cordelia would do if he pursued her again?
    “Adam, there’s something—”
    “In any case, I am glad you are both here, for a different reason,” he told her. He paused then gestured toward the bed. “Sit down a moment.”
    Lily frowned. “Why?”
    “Please. I need to tell you something. But it’s…” Her brother was flustered, and worry bloomed inside of her.
    “Is Aria all right?”
    It wasn’t that long ago that Aria had gone through a number of traumatic events. She had been taken and held captive by a man she had thought a friend, and the recovery from that experience and the emotional torture he’d inflicted had been tough to overcome but she and Adam had weathered the storm together and come out stronger.
    Adam’s shoulders squared and his chest puffed out like a peacock. “She’s with child.”
    “With child.”
    “Lily, I wanted you to hear it from me. You must keep it quiet though, for if Aria discovers I’ve spilled, she’ll be furious.”
    She nodded. She would keep the secret. “I’m happy for you.”
    “Truly?”
    “Of course.” She reached forward to grab his hand. “Adam, of course .”
    “She doesn’t want to tell anyone just yet. She’s reveling a bit in her secret and wishes to be a little further along before she shares. But I didn’t know what…” Her older brother, so capable and strong, looked helpless. “I didn’t want my news to hurt you.”
    “It doesn’t, even in the slightest. I will be completely surprised when Aria tells me.” Lily hugged him, careful to keep her expression serene and smiling. “I am so happy for you both.”
    Adam sighed, as though a weight had been lifted. “Having family around will be good for her. She’ll be comforted by your presence and when the baby is born. You know what she’s been through. I want her to feel supported and safe.” He grinned. “We both know she would soundly thrash me for saying any of this.”
    Lily smiled, but her joy had dimmed. She looked down at her hands and pressed her lips together.
    How could she tell him now that she was leaving? How could she take away a minute of his joy? He would