Temptation & Twilight

“I never knew. Never saw her, or heard him speak of her.”

“Wives and daughters are not supposed to learn of a man’s mistress, Lizzy.”

“You did.”

“That was … different.” His voice was quieter, more mysterious now. “Circumstances beyond my control, I’m afraid. I shielded the secret from you because I knew it would hurt you, cause you pain when you thought of your—our mother being betrayed.”

“I never knew, yet somehow, whoever killed this woman put a connection together between you and her.”

“To Father, and by extension me. God only knows how he discovered Ana’s connection to the house of York. Because of it, I’ve added extra security within the house, and outside. I won’t leave you vulnerable, Lizzy, while I am trying to solve this mystery.”

“Yes, of course. Very unnerving to discover what happened this morning, and on our own doorstep. Poor Anastasia, I hope she’s at peace and did not suffer much.”

“You seem to be bearing up rather well, considering the circumstances.”

Lizzy shrugged. She was hiding it well, she supposed. But it was rather unnerving to be blind. How would she tell if anything was out of place? How would she know if an intruder had gained entrance into her home, or loomed over her while she was asleep, with a knife pressed to her throat?

“Lizzy, what is really on your mind?”

Frowning, she tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together. “She was helping you, wasn’t she—with this Guardian business? You allowed Anastasia to assist you.”

“I didn’t ask her to, Lizzy,” Adrian said softly. “She wanted to and would brook no refusal. She informed me that she had a direct entrance into the club, that her lover knew Orpheus. I agreed to it because it’s been the closest we’ve gotten to him, except for Alynwick’s—” Her brother coughed, stopping midsentence.

“Alynwick’s what?” she demanded.

“He has, er, a connection to someone who frequents the club.”

“Some notorious tart, I’d wager,” Lizzy said haughtily, but the bitterness in her voice betrayed her true feelings. Damn Iain for making her still feel anything for him. “It must be Lady Larabie, then.”

“What? How can you know of that?”

“Oh, come, brother, I am blind, not stupid or hard of hearing. I heard the gossip about him and the newly wed Lady Larabie. I also learned there was to be a duel. From the sounds of him this morning, he must have escaped it unscathed.”

“Lizzy.”

“No matter. Alynwick’s life and what debauchery he makes of it is none of my concern. What do I care if he is killed for his adulterous deeds? Good riddance, I would say. The scroll he keeps as part of the Guardians’ treasure could easily be given to you or Black, and instead of three Brethren there could be two perfectly capable souls.”

“What is it with you two? If it isn’t him demanding that I keep you out of matters, it’s you voicing your distaste for the fellow. What happened to make you notice one another, when you have never bothered with each other before now?”

Elizabeth felt herself stiffen. Adrian was coming too close to the truth.

“Alynwick said I was to stay out of Brethren business. In fact he demanded it. I won’t have it, Adrian. Who is he to demand anything of me?”

There, she’d said it, the real reason for her visit. Heaving a sigh, she waited for her brother’s answer.

“Normally, I would say he is an ass and order you to ignore him, but in this case, I have to agree. It’s become personal, and whoever this Orpheus is, he knows of Lucy and my feelings for her. I’m distracted, Lizzy, and I can’t be worrying over both you and Lucy. Seeing Anastasia this morning … Well, I couldn’t survive if it were you or Lucy.”

“I’m not an invalid, Adrian, to be coddled and cosseted.”

“I didn’t say you were, and I’m not treating you as one.”

“He is.”

“He, who?” Elizabeth could hear annoyance in her brother’s voice.

“Alynwick.”

“Well, he is being a royal pain, what with the scene he created last night.”

She didn’t want to think of last night and how he had humiliated her. She had enough anger ruling her now, without more fat added to the fire. “He is purposely leaving me out. He practically shoved me from the salon this morning when all of you were discussing the murder and what was to be done. As a consequence I didn’t hear what my role was to be.”

“You don’t have one, Lizzy.”

The blow was instantaneous, and it hurt. “You’re listening to him! I can’t believe it! Alynwick of all people? Adrian, you traitor!”

“For once he has a valid point. Lizzy.” Her brother sighed. “We cannot avoid the obvious. You’re at a disadvantage and it makes you extremely vulnerable.”

Jumping up, Elizabeth fisted her hands at her sides. “I’ll hinder you, is that it?”

“Of course not.”

“While you and Black and Alynwick are out searching for the monster who killed Anastasia, you want me home, where you don’t have to worry about your blind sister tripping into danger. Well, Adrian York, I am not completely useless,” she snapped, storming off.

“Lizzy, get back here.”

“I only thought to help,” she said, hating the sadness in her voice. “What else is left to me? I have no husband or children to occupy my time. I can’t see to paint or embroider, or read, or decorate. I can’t even shop without another set of eyes escorting me. I have nothing, Adrian. Nothing!”

“That’s not true.”

“Oh, do not lie to yourself, thinking you are making me feel better. Lies only make me feel worse, for I know they are spoken out of pity. The truth is, I have never complained about my blindness or bemoaned my fate. I always had the Brethren Guardians to make me feel worthwhile and capable. I had you and Black to talk to, and I was involved in discussions, in the history of our ancestors. I was a part of the group, and it kept me happy. Now you are denying me the one thing that made my life worth anything.”

Whether she was intended to hear his sigh, Elizabeth did not know. But when her brother spoke, it was with a sense of resignation.

“Black and Alynwick have left to bury Anastasia’s body, and then they are to search her dwelling. They’ll be back this afternoon. Perhaps you might sit with us and hear what they’ve discovered.”

“I might as well be a dog you are throwing a bone to. It’s an appeasement.”

“It’s a compromise, Lizzy.”

“No, thank you. I shall be busy this afternoon, entertaining Lord Sheldon at tea.”

“He’s calling, is he? I knew he would. I will speak to you tonight, then, and tell you what I have learned about the murder. But that is all, Lizzy. I won’t allow you to do more than that. Witnessing what this fiend is capable of, I won’t throw you into danger—even if you did possess sight. I won’t risk it. You can rail and scream, and the answer will remain the same. You are not getting directly involved.”

Reluctantly, she nodded. “I suppose this is all I can hope for, isn’t it—bits and scraps of information you wish to share with me?”

“For now, Lizzy.”

“Stay safe, Adrian. And do protect Lucy.”