Page 21 of A Touch So Wicked

Damian knocked on Lady Marianne’s door and waited for a reply.

“Come in, my lord.”

Elissa sent him a startled look. “How does she know ’tis you?”

“I usually visit this time of day. Shall we go in?”

Elissa was stunned. Did the Demon Knight have a heart after all? It appeared he had compassion for everyone except her. Her thoughts fled when she saw her mother, still pale, still frail, but looking much better than the last time she’d seen her.

Marianne’s eyes lit up and she stretched out her arms. “Elissa! My dear one. Thank you, my lord, for bringing her to me.”

“I’ll wait outside,” Damian said, closing the door behind him.

“Are you all right, Mama?” Elissa asked, kissing her mother’s pale cheek. “You look better. Has Nan concocted a new elixir for you? Lord Damian hasn’t mistreated you, has he?”

“I do feel better, dearling,” Marianne said. “Mayhap ’tis due to Nan’s medications and mayhap ’tis because I’ve decided life is worth living. And nay, Lord Damian has been verra kind. We’ve had some long talks. He made me realize that giving up isna fair to you and Lora.”

Stunned, Elissa could do little more than stare at her mother. “The Demon Knight said that?”

“Aye, and more. You havena been harmed, have you? I donna like to think Lord Damian would hurt you but I’d rather hear it from your own lips.”

“I’m fine, Mama. I’ve not been harmed in any way. I hate being locked up, and not knowing what’s to become of me is unnerving, but somehow I’ll find a way to get us to Tavis Gordon,” she vowed. “You’re getting better. One day very soon, you, me and Lora will leave Misterly together.”

“Take care, daughter,” Marianne warned. “What you wish for may not be the best thing for you.”

Suddenly the door opened and Lora flew inside. Damian followed in her wake. Lora’s cheeks were flushed but she appeared to be well on the road to recovery. Elissa opened her arms and Lora rushed into them.

“Lissa! I’ve missed you.”

Elissa sent Damian a sour look over Lora’s head. “I’d have come to see you sooner had it been allowed. What are you doing out of bed?”

“I donna have to stay in bed,” Lora replied, beaming. “Nan said I’m almost well. I hardly cough anymore. Damian promised to take me on his horse as soon as Nan says it’s all right.”

“You call his lordship ‘Damian’?” Elissa gasped.

“Donna scold me, Lissa, Damian said I could.” She skipped over to Damian and grasped his hand. “Will you tell me a story before I go to sleep tonight, Damian?”

Elissa’s mind refused to believe what she was hearing. What was going on? She met Damian’s amused gaze over Lora’s head and felt the shock of it clear down to her toes.

Chapter Five

Once she had returned to Damian’s chamber, Elissa sat in the windowseat and let her mind wander. It was difficult to reconcile the ruthless man she knew with the gentle demeanor that Damian presented to her mother and sister. Was she the one who brought out the worst in him?

It was growing dark. Elissa gazed out the narrow window at the mountains rising in the distance. How she wished she were free. She should be with Tavis right now instead of a prisoner of the Demon Knight.

A whisper of sound brought Elissa’s head around. The door opened and Maggie entered the chamber.

“I’ve brought yer supper, Elissa. Come and eat.”

Elissa sighed. “Set it down, Maggie, I’ll eat later. I’m not hungry right now.”

Maggie set the tray down, glanced furtively at Elissa, then whispered, “There’s trouble brewing.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“Our kinsmen are angry with his lordship for treating you badly.”

“Sweet Mother,” Elissa said on a shaky breath. “I want no bloodshed on my account. You must tell our people that I have not been mistreated, that I am well and coping.”