AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Eloise knew that she’d have to go back home and take care of all the relationships there before she could commit to a life with Keyon. Once or twice, she wanted to ask him to let her go. If he let her leave, perhaps it’d be easier for her to persuade her brother of what she wanted.
Eloise scrunched her face. It would not be easier. Ford was overbearingly protective. He thought he knew what was right for her and never hesitated to make decisions for her. But he loved her. And if so, he’d have to comply with her wishes eventually.
Eloise didn’t know where she’d even begin to explain her feelings for Keyon. How did one tell her brother that she was in love with his fiercest enemy?
The dilemma of her life was starting to give her a slight headache.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked softly.
My brother.She grimaced, knowing quite well that he wouldn’t like her train of thought. “Just life,” she said, then sat up and rubbed her arms.
“You are getting cold.” Keyon inched toward her and wrapped her in his arms.
Eloise put her head on his shoulder, taking in his dear scent, marveling at the warmth, the closeness.
No, she would have to make her brother understand. There was no other way around it. She would fight to keep Keyon in her life. He rubbed his chin over her head in an endearing gesture.
How tender he was. Eloise remembered the first time she ever saw him. He had a deadly look in his eyes, and his menacing mien made her shiver. Had someone told her then that he would soon be warming her in his arms, she’d have called them mad.
Keyon disengaged from her at that moment and Eloise mourned the loss of his heat. He stood and tugged her up. “Come. You are shivering.”
He found her chemise and helped her put it on. Then carefully slid her petticoats, bodice, and overskirt over her shoulders. All her gowns were simple, ones she’d be able to put on herself, but it was nice being catered to.
“If you like,” he said as he picked up his coat and covered her shoulders with it, “we can go to a modiste and order you the most beautiful, fashionable gowns. I own the best of silks, and you can choose whatever style you like.”
“Go to a modiste?” Eloise turned to him and watched him unashamedly as he drew on his breeches. “Am I allowed to leave the mansion now?”
Keyon turned to her with a slight smirk. “You were never a prisoner here, Eloise.”
Eloise smiled. “Sal and Garric might have disagreed.”
“Sal and Garric were there to protect you. I could not let you roam free and get into trouble,” he said as he finished buttoning up his breeches.
Eloise narrowed her eyes at him. “Do you mean that I could have exited the mansion all along? All I had to do was ask?”
Keyon drew the shirt over his shoulders. Eloise mourned the view of his chiseled bronze skin.
“I shall bring the world down to its knees for you, Eloise,” he said softly. “All you have to do is ask.”
Warmth unfurled inside her, just as shivers covered her skin. She knew he meant what he said, and she was not certain how to respond.
He offered his arm then, “Come.”
Eloise put her hand in the crook of his arm, and they proceeded out of the office.
They walked back to the mansion in silence, tension sizzling in the air. Eloise understood that what Keyon wanted from her was to acknowledge that she would indeed stay with him after this ordeal with Ford was over. But she could not commit to him without talking to her brother. And despite what he said earlier, she could not scrounge up the courage to ask him to let her go back to her brother. Not because she was afraid he wouldn’t consent. But because she was afraid he would. She was afraid she’d go back home, and all of this would turn out to be but a dream.
Ford was not the only person she needed to talk to. She needed to speak with Jamison. She needed to make them all understand that this was her choice, and she was not coerced into staying with Keyon. And wouldn’t be an easy conversation.
For all her desire to see her brother, she did not want to leave this place. Not yet. She needed just one more night.
Keyon led her to her chamber and paused at her door. He drew the lapels of his coat tighter around her.
“I have things to take care of,” he said, looking regretful. “I wish I could spend the night with you, but I think it is better if we don’t do this yet.”
“Why not?” Eloise pouted.
Keyon brought his finger to her lips and traced them tenderly. “Because if we do, I will never, ever let you go.”
