“Well, have her come down. We need to discuss what to do about Blankenship.”
“That is not exactly possible,” said Cedric. “He left her somewhat…indisposed upstairs.”
“Oh, Lord,” said Lucien.
Ashton pinched the bridge of his nose. “Godric, listen to me. She only left to protect you. She does notknow how capable you are of defending yourself. She did it because she loved you and couldn’t bear to see you hurt for her sake.”
Charles and Cedric exchanged grim looks. Jonathan’s face paled and he failed to meet Godric’s eyes.
“It’s too late, isn’t it?” asked Ashton.
Godric nodded, and turned his back on them. “I’ve wounded her in a way she will never forgive.” He couldn’t forgive betrayal so how could she? Knowing she was lost to him forever, because he’d acted rashly, let his temper direct his actions, made the agony of her loss worse.
“Excuse me.” He left the room and no one dared stop him.
Godric had barricadedhimself in his study, and it was up to the others to take up the mantle of Emily’s care and protection.
They found her in Godric’s bed.
Emily shifted slightly, still asleep. All of them were as guilty of ruining and hurting Emily as Godric was. That would change.
Ashton turned to Lucien. “See to having a fresh pair of undergarments ready for her when she wakes.”
Lucien nodded and left to find her clothes.
Ashton eased himself down on the edge of the bed and bent down to press his lips against her forehead. She felt feverish beneath his kiss. If she became ill… No, he mustn’t think such thoughts.
He smoothed her hair back from her brow. “Sleep, dear Emily.”
Lucien returned and took a position near the foot of the bed in a chair. The nearby fire crackled and sparked in the darkness.
The League had gone too far to satisfy its pride and lust.
Emily stirred,her breath shallow.
Heavy rocks lay on her chest. It was harder and harder to fill her lungs.
Panic surged through her, making her body shudder. Glass shards seemed to be embedded in her throat when she tried to swallow. She needed to cough, but no strength remained. The rasp of her indrawn breath sounded like an ominous death rattle.
“Emily!” A man’s voice. Low, hoarse, and grating to her ears. She winced as she tried to swallow again, and finally managed a weak cough.
“Emily?” The voice was a familiar one, a warm hand on her forehead.
Where am I?
Sensations crept back on her, the soft slide of bed sheets beneath her bare skin, the aroma of sandalwood. Men were nearby. Who? Though she couldn’t see it, she could feel the pulsing rhythm of a candle nearby.
“Quick, Charles, the water.” Cedric, her mind finally recalled. She was at Godric’s estate, in his bed. Once again a captive of the League of Rogues.
“Go…dric…”
Cedric shushed her, then raised a glass of water to her cracked lips. She drank, the cool water a balm to her parched throat. Her eyelids finally cracked open. She was in Godric’s bedroom; Cedric and Charles hovered over her. She shivered and rubbed her naked arms—
She was naked.
Emily gasped, a dreadfully sick sound.
“There, there, love, You’re safe,” Charles said. Neither he nor Cedric seemed interested in her state of undress. She swallowed, which was still painful.
