“I can’t imagine anyone ever not doing so, once they’ve lived here with you all.” Adalyn shook her head. “’Tis quite an experience.”
“A good one, I hope,” said Evan, finally joining them and crossing to the sideboard where he poured himself some brandy.
“I cannot imagine better, Evan.” She patted her waist. “I know I shall have to start taking some long walks to make sure I don’t show the effects of your wonderful meals.”
“A good ride will help too, my Lady,” added Trick. “We must see about getting you mounted.”
She turned to him. “I would like that. Let me find my feet here first though. Since I’ve never ridden, it will be a tiring chore for you to teach me, I’m sure.”
His smile was potent. “I would like nothing better than to teach you to ride, Lady Adalyn.”
She couldn’t help feeling there was more to his words than she understood, but she nodded anyway. Daniel rose to refill his glass as she turned from the fireplace, and the resultant collision sent her into a spin.
“Oh…” Her heel caught on her gown and she thudded heavily against the back of one of the tall chairs. Her gasp of pain brought the men to their feet.
“What on earth…”
“My Lady…”
“Are you hurt?”
The exclamations came fast as she staggered and felt the blood drain from her face. The wood of the chair had smacked against the sorest spot she still had. Of the many she had concealed, hoping the bruises would vanish soon, this was the worst.
“Adalyn.” Giles’s voice was strong, commanding, and reduced the others to silence.
“I’m…I’m all right. Really.”
He strode to her without further ado. “No, you are not. Stand quite still.”
He touched her gently, running his hands down her side. When he hit the worst bruise, she couldn’t help another muted gasp of pain.
“Dear God,” he muttered.
“What is it?” Daniel frowned as the men tried not to crowd her.
“I’m about to find out.”
Giles placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her back to the room, unlacing her gown rapidly.
“Giles,” she gasped. “Don’t…”
It was too late.
A breathless quiet descended as he drew away the fabric from her skin and revealed enough of her back to show the collection of multi-hued marks that still remained.
“Adalyn…”
Jeremy’s voice whispered her name into the stillness. “Dear God, Adalyn. What did that monster do to you?”
“Easy, Jeremy.” Giles soothed him. “I believe these are healing. But still sore.” He touched her gently. “You have no broken ribs, I hope?”
She shook her head, staring at her slippers, very aware that five men were observing her back. She could feel the air on her naked skin right down to the end of her spine. “I don’t think so. He was always careful to keep the caning to places that couldn’t be seen.”
“Acane?” Daniel spat the word. “I’m sorry he’s dead. I’d like to kill him all over again.”
“As would I,” added Jeremy.
“And me,” Evan chimed in.
