Temptation & Twilight. Charlotte Featherstone

to agree. It’s become personal, and whoever this Orpheus is, he knows of Lucy and my feelings for her. I’m distracted, Lizzy, and I can’t be worrying over both you and Lucy. Seeing Anastasia this morning … Well, I couldn’t survive if it were you or Lucy.”

      “I’m not an invalid, Adrian, to be coddled and cosseted.”

      “I didn’t say you were, and I’m not treating you as one.”

      “He is.”

      “He, who?” Elizabeth could hear annoyance in her brother’s voice.

      “Alynwick.”

      “Well, he is being a royal pain, what with the scene he created last night.”

      She didn’t want to think of last night and how he had humiliated her. She had enough anger ruling her now, without more fat added to the fire. “He is purposely leaving me out. He practically shoved me from the salon this morning when all of you were discussing the murder and what was to be done. As a consequence I didn’t hear what my role was to be.”

      “You don’t have one, Lizzy.”

      The blow was instantaneous, and it hurt. “You’re listening to him! I can’t believe it! Alynwick of all people? Adrian, you traitor!”

      “For once he has a valid point. Lizzy.” Her brother sighed. “We cannot avoid the obvious. You’re at a disadvantage and it makes you extremely vulnerable.”

      Jumping up, Elizabeth fisted her hands at her sides. “I’ll hinder you, is that it?”

      “Of course not.”

      “While you and Black and Alynwick are out searching for the monster who killed Anastasia, you want me home, where you don’t have to worry about your blind sister tripping into danger. Well, Adrian York, I am not completely useless,” she snapped, storming off.

      “Lizzy, get back here.”

      “I only thought to help,” she said, hating the sadness in her voice. “What else is left to me? I have no husband or children to occupy my time. I can’t see to paint or embroider, or read, or decorate. I can’t even shop without another set of eyes escorting me. I have nothing, Adrian. Nothing!”

      “That’s not true.”

      “Oh, do not lie to yourself, thinking you are making me feel better. Lies only make me feel worse, for I know they are spoken out of pity. The truth is, I have never complained about my blindness or bemoaned my fate. I always had the Brethren Guardians to make me feel worthwhile and capable. I had you and Black to talk to, and I was involved in discussions, in the history of our ancestors. I was a part of the group, and it kept me happy. Now you are denying me the one thing that made my life worth anything.”

      Whether she was intended to hear his sigh, Elizabeth did not know. But when her brother spoke, it was with a sense of resignation.

      “Black and Alynwick have left to bury Anastasia’s body, and then they are to search her dwelling. They’ll be back this afternoon. Perhaps you might sit with us and hear what they’ve discovered.”

      “I might as well be a dog you are throwing a bone to. It’s an appeasement.”

      “It’s a compromise, Lizzy.”

      “No, thank you. I shall be busy this afternoon, entertaining Lord Sheldon at tea.”

      “He’s calling, is he? I knew he would. I will speak to you tonight, then, and tell you what I have learned about the murder. But that is all, Lizzy. I won’t allow you to do more than that. Witnessing what this fiend is capable of, I won’t throw you into danger—even if you did possess sight. I won’t risk it. You can rail and scream, and the answer will remain the same. You are not getting directly involved.”

      Reluctantly, she nodded. “I suppose this is all I can hope for, isn’t it—bits and scraps of information you wish to share with me?”

      “For now, Lizzy.”

      “Stay safe, Adrian. And do protect Lucy.”

      He groaned. “She’ll be the death of me.”

      “But it will be a pleasant death, won’t it?”

      “Aye, it will.”

      Elizabeth laughed at the smile she heard in his voice.

      “Lizzy,” he called as she made her slow progression across the room. “It’s out of love that I said it, you know. I want you safe, and it’s hard enough for me to keep everyone I love safe.”

      “I would be selfish not to acknowledge how grateful I am that everyone cares about my well-being. However, hoyden that I am, I bristle at being protected. I might have to accept your decision to keep me apart from Brethren business, but I don’t have to like it.”

      “Lizzy, you have always been a part of the Guardians, and accepted as one of us. But that was before, when it was just talk, and secrets, and keeping the relics safe. There was no real, tangible danger. But now there is, and it’s a nasty business. It’s real, Elizabeth. Life and death, and not one of us is willing to risk your safety. Whatever you may think, Black keeps Isabella far away from danger, and any discussion of the Guardians. I plan to do the same with Lucy, if she ever consents to be my wife. You should not feel singled out, or abandoned.”

      She felt like weeping. Strange how she hadn’t felt so hopeless and helpless since the summer her eyesight had left her. Lizzy experienced those same feelings, searching and struggling, wondering how to go on and where she might fit in. She understood Adrian’s concern, really, she did, but her brother didn’t realize that it was quite easy for Isabella and Lucy to be kept sheltered. They had not been born into a Guardian family. It was not their birthright. And more importantly, they had other things to keep their minds occupied. Isabella had a home and a husband, and one day children, and Lucy had the potential. Lizzy herself had none of that to offer comfort or stimulation. She was alone, and being with the Guardians, discussing it all, taking part, had been like a family to her. She was not alone then. Not incapable.

      “You are always a part of this, Lizzy,” her brother said quietly. “I hope you know that. That you will always have a place with me.”

      Yes. A thought that was comforting, yet bittersweet. Adrian would always take care of her, and she would always be protected, the blind sister, the blind aunt, living amongst the family he would have.

      There would be nothing of her own. No life to lead apart from that of sister, sister-in-law and loving aunt. It made her absolutely miserable, and guilty for thinking this way, when there were women out there who would give up their souls for the kind of life she had.

      “Good morning, brother,” she replied, hoping he didn’t hear the sadness in her voice. “I hope your head feels better.”

      “And enjoy your tea—but not too much, Lizzy. The only hasty nuptials I am eager to announce are my own.”

      “Silly man,” she said, smiling. “It’s just tea.”

      “A lot can happen over tea and crumpets, Lizzy. Believe me.”