Wolfsgate Read Online Free PDF Page B

her spine. He was considering the possibilities, wasn’t he?
    “I wanted to wait and explain everything to you once you were more yourself, but—”
    “I am no longer myself,” he breathed.
    “But there’s more—”
    “More? God no, not now.” His mouth twisted in a grimace. “Leave it. I’ve heard enough for one night. Tomorrow is sure to come, and it won’t change anything, will it?” He threw himself into the nearest armchair, let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes.
    “Brandon, please. You must hear—”
    “Go, dammit.” He sighed heavily. “Leave me the hell alone.”

    Evening came, but Justine was in no mood for sleep. She hadn’t even changed into her night clothes, only managed to release her hair from the pins that held it, tugging her fingers through the thick mass as she chewed on a thousand anxieties. It had all gone badly, very wrong. What had she expected though? She had to focus on the fact that she did manage to get Brandon out of that hospital, helped him get his strength back, and now he could take his place as rightful heir of Wolfsgate.
    She shook her head at the memory of the wild look in Brandon’s eyes when learning of their forced marriage and of Amanda’s marriage to William. His desolation at the news of his father’s death had been brutal to witness, and a nagging fear that he would do something extreme ate at her insides.
    The front door slammed, and Justine darted to the window. Brandon marched across the front lawn towards the stables, his hair whipping about his face, his cloak flying behind him.
    “No, no, no!” her voice drummed in her throat. She could take one guess as to where his final destination might be.
    She flew down the stairs, fastened on her boots, threw on her cloak, and ran out the door towards the stable, but she was too late. The pummeling of horse’s hooves rumbled in the distance.
    “Brandon! Wait!” But the dark figure on the horse took no notice of her as he sped into the night. He had to be headed for Crestdown, Amanda’s family home where she and William resided.
    She had to go after him.
    Justine ran to the stables and saddled her horse. Her cold fingers pulled and secured the leather straps over the animal in the dark. Thank God she had realized from very early on that being self-sufficient was paramount to survival at Wolfsgate. Several years ago she began paying Martin, a young tenant from nearby, to tend to the horses, teach her to ride properly, and show her how to deal with a saddle. Now, she finally felt quite confident on a horse thanks to his instruction and encouragement and plenty of practice on her own.
    She mounted her mare and urged the horse onwards. Once she cleared the pathway through the thick dark woods and the maze of trees that circled Crestdown’s park, Justine’s straining eyes caught sight of the rider and his powerful horse plowing ahead of her. She urged her horse forward faster. She didn’t want the inhabitants of the house to hear them and come outside. She had to get to Brandon before he stormed the front door or worse.
    Crestdown was a much grander, polished, and more modern structure than Wolfsgate, which was modest in comparison. But then again, Wolfsgate was almost two hundred years older and had been built by a Graven ancestor with only a few renovations over the years. Justine slowed down her horse, slid down off the saddle, and tied her reins to the nearest tree. A rush of pure energy pumped through her, making her more determined with every quick step to get Brandon out of there.
    Light glowed from a high window at the ground floor and the heavy drapes were partly open. She stole a glance up into the house. William and Amanda stood by their fireplace talking. She wore a dark dressing gown, her long golden hair spilling over her shoulders. William leaned close to his wife’s side and whispered in her ear. Amanda laughed. He grinned at her and planted kisses against her throat.
    Brandon emerged from behind a