Page 13 of The Temptation of Roan Island

Kay shrugs. “I’m not sure I loved him as much as I thought. I think what I really loved was… this.” One hand lovingly caresses the piano keys, face alight and smile dreamy.

“Play us something.” I stand as Pippa steps away, making room for Kay, who gives an eager bounce, then sits. Her hands land on the keys, expertly playing from memory. We spend the next hour listening to the woman make magic with music. It’s lovely, but I preferred the simple notes Pippa and I picked out together. I wish I could turn back time to when it was just the two of us. Only because it was simpler, less elaborate, softer. I’ve never been a fan of showy compositions. That’s all.

Standing behind the chair Pippa took, I trace a finger gently over the braid that falls over the back of her seat, remembering how soft those locks felt in my hand. Anna catches the action and scowls, moving closer to us.

“Excuse me, ladies,” I bow briefly and hurry from the room. I won’t act the fool. I won’t let a touch of attraction rule my actions or cloud my judgement. Not for anyone. Not ever again.

7

SHEMAIAH

Ishould start taking breakfast in my rooms. Anna strokes my arm like I’m a pet while she prattles on about how I undressed her in her dream last night. No regard for the fact that we’re at breakfast with my brother and two other women who clearly don’t want to hear about her sex dream!

It’s like she’s made it her mission to get a rise out of me, and it’s working. Just not in the way she wants.

Usually, people fascinate me. Even the most obnoxious personalities have something curious about them. I love unearthing that hidden gem, finding what makes them unique, and giving them a little push in the right direction—as I did with my brother and Ruby.

I never let anyone catch on that I’m interested. That way they can never get a foothold to hurt me the way Vivienne did, but I like knowing what makes people tick.

Anna, however... I’m sure there’s something there that’s interesting. Perhaps if she stopped trying to throw herself at me, I might find her likable, but her pursuit has ruined what little I might have found intriguing.

I pull a chair out for her at the table in the parlor, where Mrs. Darning has laid out breakfast. To my relief, Anna lets go of me and sits. Now, I just need to grab a scone, make some excuse, and hightail it to the library where I can eat in peace.

I’m about to do just that when Pippa enters. A woman I find more fascinating with every day. Since our first time playing Elements in the library at the last new moon party, we’ve met there nearly every night, either to play a new game or to simply read in close proximity. We’ve only missed our nightly soirees when she was too tired to leave her room. There’s something comfortable and calming about being in her presence that I don’t feel around Anna or Kay, or even Vivienne so long ago.

My eyes linger on her pretty, pert face, moving to her blue eyes, filled with bursts of green and gold, her full mouth, the soft tresses of her blonde hair. Today, it’s styled to hang down her back, the sides secured with a clip. Does she look frailer than yesterday? Perhaps this isn’t the time to tell her about the letter that came this morning.

The moment she spots me, she asks what she asks every morning, the question I’ve come to dread. “Any news about my Toby?”

I don’t particularly want to tell Pippa what I learned about her son after receiving a letter from our man, Mr. Gray, in New Essik, but she deserves to know. With a hand on her back, I guide her to the buffet table, away from prying ears.

But before I can say anything, Noah and Ruby stroll into the breakfast parlor. “Where’s Zarah?” Noah’s voice booms.

I exhale, grateful for the interruption. There will be time to talk to Pippa about Tobias later.

“She hasn’t come down yet,” Kay says with red cheeks.

Hopefully she’s not coming down with a fever. It could be dangerous if any of these women got so much as a common cold. I study Pippa more closely. She doesn’t seem flushed or shaky. In fact, if I didn’t know better, I’d say she’s the picture of health. Vastatio is a silent, secret killer. Especially with a woman like Pippa, who works so hard not to show the pain she may feel.

“Our dear sister probably overindulged and is sleeping it off.” Jafeth leans back in his chair so far that the front legs lift. His gaze bounces to Kay whose blush deepens.

Jafeth’s assessment has me swinging my attention back to Kay, worrying that Zarah may have drunk from her. The young girl doesn’t look weakened, though. If anything, she looks healthier than normal. Zarah’s never been an early riser, and besides, Zarah’s been avoiding us most days, not just today. She’s different from how she was before my father locked her up. Harsher. Quieter. More in her head. I’m not sure how to reach her. Not sure if I should even try.

“Fine, I’ll speak with Zarah later. Sit,” my older brother says in that clear, commanding voice he got from our father, the memory of which has me grinding my molars. Noah doesn’t mean the command to sound so much like Hammish, of course, but it does. And it’s clear he wants something.

“Your frustration is showing,” Pippa quietly teases while she places some strawberries and an orange slice on her plate. “It’s clear we all grate on your nerves, but I know you can play nice.”

I hate how much she sees through my shield. She’s the only one who can, it would seem. Instead of responding, I add two sausages to her plate. “You need to eat more than just fruit.”

“I do eat more than fruit.”

I raise an eyebrow at her.

She huffs in a way that threatens to make me smile. “It’s not my fault I don’t have much of an appetite,” she whispers. “Too much makes me feel queasy.”

The little crack in her voice gives me pause. I take one sausage off her plate and add it to mine, leaving the other behind. A silent offering. She needs some protein, but she doesn’t need me to force-feed her if it makes her feel worse.

She offers a quick smile as she passes, and my hearts respond with an unwelcome twist inside my chest, my body surging with a hunger I work to suppress. When she sits on the cushioned window seat away from the table, I join her, grateful that the seat next to Anna is now occupied by Ruby.