He’d waited so long to finally have that bastard at his mercy, to rip off that mask and see which one of them had caused him so much grief. He also intended to get to the bottom of which one of them had killed his father.
All these years, they’d gone unpunished for the ways in which they’d ruined his life, but soon, that would all change. He supposed he’d just have to bide his time.
Sooner or later, they’d feel the need to act the hero and rescue someone, and when they did, he would be waiting.
* * *
MORGAN IMPATIENTLYpaced the front entry of his brother’s grand home, waiting for Fiona’s arrival. He’d been half-afraid she wouldn’t come at all, but she’d apparently responded to the invitation that Serenity had sent. She was coming.
He still feared that she’d been upset by this obvious manipulation by his sisters-in-law or that she’d feel uncomfortable once she arrived. He’d resolved to do his best to make her feel at home, but he couldn’t imagine how overwhelming this all would be for her. She’d probably never been to a home like this in her life, and the last thing he wanted to do was make her feel even less like they belonged together.
A burst of laughter drifted out of the nearby sitting room, and he hoped it wasn’t at his expense. Luckily, his brothers were staying out of it, though they could have mocked him roundly for his uncharacteristic behavior.
To his dismay, his sister Allison was here as well. Apparently, she’d overheard Serenity and Vanessa talking about the dinner party, and she’d demanded an invitation of her own.
Serenity had apologetically met him at the door tonight to tell him the news, but he couldn’t be angry. Allison was his sister, after all. He only hoped she hadn’t come to cause trouble. She’d been quite nasty to both Vanessa and Serenity when they’d first joined the family. But after her kidnapping, she’d changed quite a bit. Her mother’s teachings seemed to be falling by the wayside, and he hoped she would at least try to be someone he could be proud to be related to.
Deciding to head off that potential disaster while he still could, he sought out his little sister, bringing her back out to the foyer. “Why did you want to come tonight?” he asked without preamble.
She blinked up at him, her large blue eyes full of an innocence he didn’t believe for one moment. Sometimes her resemblance to their mother hit him like a fist to the gut. “I wanted to spend some time with you all,” she finally replied. “I hardly ever get to see all of you since... Mother moved us out of Lucien’s house.”
Since Luke kicked us outhung heavy and unsaid between them.
Morgan agreed wholeheartedly with Luke on the matter, so he could hardly pretend that he didn’t think it was for the best. Still, he softened just a bit. She was their sister, and they couldn’t hold her accountable for all their mother’s misdeeds, no matter how much Allison looked like the woman.
“Do you really plan to begin courting Fiona Bohannan?” Allison asked, her eyes dancing.
Sighing, Morgan nodded. “Yes, I do. If she’ll have me.”
Allison gave him what appeared to be a sincere smile. “I’ve only met her a time or two. But I really admire her for the work she does, and she’s very beautiful.”
Morgan stared at his little sister, perhaps reallyseeingher for the first time in years. It had been so easy to write her off, to dismiss her as their mother’s minion, with no thoughts or ideas of her own. But now, he realized she was a young woman, nearly nineteen, and she seemed to have some opinions of her own. Perhaps he’d have to try and do better in the future to get to know her. Maybe with some guidance from him, his brothers, and their wives, she could actually become someone he’d enjoy being around.
Still, he couldn’t leave it to chance. “Will you please be kind to her? Do your best not to make her feel inferior in any way?”
Allison looked a bit hurt for a moment. Then she nodded and gently squeezed Morgan’s arm. “I’m not the girl I used to be. I hope someday you’ll realize that. Serenity and Vanessa have taught me that a person’s character has nothing at all to do with the class to which they were born.”
He placed his hand over hers, squeezing in return. “Perhaps you can come stay with me for a few days. Maybe we need a chance to get to know each other again as adults.”
Her lovely face lit up. “I’d love that, Morgan. Truly. I’d like to be able to play with the children and talk to you a bit about some of my new passions.”
He wasn’t certain what that meant exactly, but he was willing to hear her out. “Come by sometime next week. I’ll have a room made up for you.”
She clapped her hands and gave him a fierce hug. It took him a bit aback, as she’d never been one to be demonstrative with physical affection. Then she skipped off back toward the drawing room, leaving Morgan feeling bemused.
Shaking himself and trying to focus on the matter still at hand, he paced the length of the foyer once more, knowing it wasn’t well done of him to do so.A gentleman does not want to appear too eager. But damn propriety all to hell. Hewaseager. He just wished that Fiona had allowed him to pick her up. However, when he’d sent a note around suggesting that he do so, she’d replied that she preferred to come on her own. He didn’t know what to make of that.
At last, the doorman opened the door and ushered Fiona in.
Morgan started forward, only to pause halfway across the foyer, his eyes widening at this completely different side of the woman he’d thought he was coming to know so well.
Fiona entered with her head high, looking every inch a lady. She wore a stunning emerald gown, which emphasized the beauty of her dazzling green eyes, and her gorgeous auburn hair was piled upon her head in an intricate updo, with small pearls glistening in the dark strands. A matching necklace drew his gaze to her ample cleavage, which was on breathtaking display in the low-cut gown.
He’d seen Fiona dozens of times in the last few months, and he’d always thought her lovely beyond compare, but now... she literally took his breath away.
“Fiona,” he finally managed, rushing forward. “You look absolutely stunning.”
The flicker of relief in her eyes made him realize how very nervous she was, how much she’d feared not being dressed correctly. She’d obviously gone to much trouble and expense in order to appear so polished, and he felt renewed guilt for forcing her out of her world and into his own. Somehow, he’d find a way to make it up to her.
