Page 40 of The Temptation of Roan Island

Jafeth’s sardonic smile pierces me. “Let’s not taint such a happy occurrence with tragedy.”

I bite my lips to keep from growling at him. What the hell is he doing? I thought he wanted me to move on, or is he just jealous enough to try to sabotage me now that he sees what he doesn’t have? I never thought he wanted a real relationship. But there’s acidity in his voice, and it makes me wonder what’s changed.

Noah clears his throat.

Pippa’s gaze lingers on me until the first course is served—a decadent root soup. She changes the subject. “Noah? Did you hear back from the inspector?”

“Yes,” he says. “He signed off on the death certificate.”

“That’s good news.” She blows lightly on a spoonful of soup, lips puckered in a way that has me adjusting in my seat.

“It was so nice to see Lucy.” Ruby sets down her spoon and smiles at her husband. “I’m hoping she and Emelia will visit soon.”

Jafeth snorts a contemptuous laugh.

“Do you have a problem with my friend, Jafeth?” Ruby picks her spoon back up and waves it in his direction with a reprimanding look.

“Only that she’s an insufferable tease and a prude.”

“She’s nothing of the sort.” Ruby glares at my brother. “She’s lovely. And a dear friend.”

“I said nothing about whether she was lovely or not. Our Anna here is lovely as well.”

“I’m afraid not everyone thinks so.” Anna’s eyes jump to me, then away again.

I want to deny it, but I don’t want to do anything to encourage her, so I focus on my soup.

“Their loss,” Jafeth says with a flirty grin. “My gain.”

Anna snorts. “But you aren’t looking for love, Mr. Roan. You’re looking for something quick, easy, and temporary. None of which helps me.”

“Oh, but I can help you.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “I can help you feel such pleasure.”

I hear Pippa’s pulse quicken and turn to notice her cheeks redden at Jafeth’s frankness.

Anna snorts, then takes a sip of her wine. I haven’t actually seen Anna much since announcing my fake affection for Pippa. Now that I look more closely, I notice dark circles under her eyes, a limp lack of effort in her hairstyle, a paleness to her cheeks, a slowness to her movements. This is the look of someone who’s given up hope. Guilt wrings my gut knowing that my lie has done this to her.

Jafeth laughs off Anna’s subtle rejection. “On second thought, I prefer my women with a less sour scent.”

“Jafeth,” Noah warns.

Anna stands, head held high. “And I prefer my men with manners.” She leaves the room without looking back.

“You’re in rare form, Jafeth,” Zarah says. “Are you truly that jealous of your brothers?”

He scoffs. “Of course not, sister. I’m more jealous of you. You’ve managed to win the attention of the most innocent flower here.” His gaze shoots to Kay. “She’d be the most fun to defile.”

Ruby and Pippa gasp in unison. Zarah growls, claws extending.

“Out!” Noah commands.

Jafeth stands with jerky motions and a stunned expression. “With pleasure,” he says just before leaving the dining room.

We all sit in stunned silence. Jafeth’s strange mood, in addition to Noah using his patriarchal control to banish him, has everyone on edge. It’s the first time Noah’s exerted his dominance in this way since the day our father died and the ability passed to our oldest sibling. He reaches for his wife’s hand. “Forgive me.”

“He deserved it.” Zarah pops a blueberry into her mouth.

I nod in agreement.