Page 53 of A Touch So Wicked

“You are better, aren’t you, Mama?” Elissa asked after Lora scooted off.

“Verra much so, daughter. I’m even eating more in order to get my strength back.”

“Oh, Mama, I’m so glad. Once you’re strong enough, perhaps I can convince Damian to let us go to cousin Christy at Glenmoor.”

Marianne searched Elissa’s face. “Are you sure you want to leave, Elissa?”

Elissa recalled her recent conversation with Damian in his chamber and touched her lips, recalling his kiss and how she’d been ready to succumb to him again. He threatened her sanity and her loyalty; she had to get away.

“We must leave, Mama. Damian’s intended bride will arrive soon. She willna like us living here. ’Tis her right to insist that Damian sends us away.”

“Do you still wish to wed Tavis Gordon? Do you love him, daughter?”

Elissa hesitated. “I donna love Tavis. He is one of us, but there are things about him I donna respect.”

“I suspect you’re right about Damian’s bride not wanting us at Misterly, but I believe his lordship will have something to say about sending us away.” Her hand tightened on Elissa’s. “I would ask you a question, daughter.”

Elissa knew what was coming and steeled herself.

“Is it true that you’ve become Lord Damian’s mistress?”

“Nay, I am not the Demon Knight’s mistress.”

“Has he dishonored you?”

Elissa looked away. “Donna ask, Mama. ’Tis complicated.”

“Elissa…”

“Nay, Mama, please. Whatever exists between Damian and me is personal. I canna talk about it.”

Lady Marianne touched her daughter’s face. “I pray that you donna harbor feelings for Lord Damian. He’s going to wed an heiress. Naught can change that.”

“I said I donna wish to speak of it,” Elissa repeated. She rose abruptly. “I have to go. We’ll visit later.”

“Elissa…do you wish me to speak to Lord Damian about it?”

Elissa frowned. “About what?”

“About his lordship taking advantage of your innocence.”

Elissa debated with herself long and hard before answering. “Damian did nothing I dinna want.”

Her words hung in the air like autumn smoke as she made a hasty exit.

During the following days Elissa kept herself busy from dawn till dusk, taking great care to avoid Damian. It irked her no end that she couldn’t leave the keep without an escort, but since she didn’t want to be isolated again, she suffered Damian’s guards.

What hurt worse was the way she’d been regarded since her release from the tower. No one actually came out and asked if she was Damian’s mistress, but she could tell they were thinking it.

Elissa had heard nothing more from Tavis and wondered if he had abandoned his plans to drive Damian from Misterly. The more Elissa thought about Tavis the less she wanted to become his wife. She couldn’t forget how he’d used her. Nor could she wed a man who had urged her into another man’s bed for a cause that had already been lost.

Elissa was giving Winifred a hand in the kitchen one day when an excited Maggie burst through the door.

“She’s here! Lord Damian’s bride! Her entourage just rode into the courtyard.”

Elissa’s heart lurched. Though she’d been expecting the lady’s arrival, she hadn’t been prepared for any kind of emotional response.

“What does she look like?” Winifred asked.