Ella sucked in a breath, her hands tightening on her twisted handkerchief.
“Or,” he continued, “they were too frightened and were easily overwhelmed. The women, well, most just fled the first time they met him.”
Honestly, she didn’t blame the others for running. Was she insane not to follow their lead? Her gaze went once again to those shadowy trees. There was something about Leo—a lost soul begging to be found—that pulled to her. Could he truly be as horrible as he seemed? He’d been so gentle when he’d carried her. And when she looked into his eyes, well, she felt as if there were so much more to this man. “Lord Roberts, what’s wrong with him?”
He sighed and with a monogrammed handkerchief, dabbed a bead of sweat from his forehead. “Physically, nothing that the doctors can uncover. His mind, ah, his mind. My grandson’s childhood is a mysterious void that has left him damaged. What happened and how it affected Leo no one but he can tell. I can only imagine what horrors he must have endured.”
But she knew. Vaguely, but she still knew. Death, horror, sorrow so deep it was shocking he’d lived through the pain. Still, how could Lord Roberts not know? “But—”
Lord Roberts held up his hand, stopping her. “I do not know how I can convince you. But I will do whatever it takes to bring my grandson back to me and I believe you are the one who can help. Whatever you want. Perhaps a cottage by the sea?”
Her heart skipped a beat. How did he know?
“Perhaps assistance and rest for the friend who works for Lady Buckley? I noticed how close you seemed. I will buy you a cottage and send her there right now, Ella. I will hire a servant to take care of her. I promise. And if you stay here for one year, I will make sure you own that cottage in the end.”
She gazed over the man’s shoulder to see that the fence had ended. She could leave, dash through the trees, and never return. But how would she survive with no letter of recommendation? If she stayed, Fran wouldn’t have to work. Her health would improve, and they’d live out their dream. It’d seemed like an impossible fantasy, until now. She looked at the trail where Leo had disappeared. He’d had his chance to harm her, yet hadn’t.
“Six months,” she blurted.
Lord Roberts smiled. “Done. I’ll have my solicitors find you a cottage today and I’ll send the carriage for your friend.”
“Lord Roberts,” she called out as he moved to leave. “I must know. Did you uncover my desires in order to manipulate me into staying?”
“Not manipulate you, Ella. You’ll realize in the end that this is for your benefit as well. I promise you, my grandson is not the monster you think.”
Ella’s gaze slid back to the trees. Somewhere, out there, he hid. She probed the woods with her mind and felt his tormented soul, hidden beneath the surface. Not a monster yet, but she had no doubt, should he choose, the darkness could be his undoing.
Ella sank back into her down pillows and closed her eyes. Her headache had dissipated, but the buzzing remained deep in her core as if a million bees were waiting to be released. She pressed her hands to her stomach. If she would stay, she must learn to block the man’s emotions for her own sanity and survival. In all honesty, she didn’t quite understand how he could survive such haunting memories and emotions. Surely, they’d kill a lesser man. It said something about his character, and she couldn’t help but be impressed with Leo.
A sea breeze swept in from the open window and soothed her frazzled thoughts. Outside, a gull called, the sound a familiar remnant of a long ago memory. Finally, Fran would see the ocean and relax until her health improved. Somehow she’d make this work. She could last six months. She must for her sake and for Fran’s.
A soft knock broke into her thoughts. With a groan, Ella slipped from her bed and smoothed down her serviceable gray skirt. “Come in.”
A maid peeked inside, the white cap upon her head making her unrecognizable from the many other maids she’d met. “Sorry, miss, but he’s still abed.”
Exhaustion flared with irritation, brewing in an explosive mixture. She would never have tolerated such nonsense from Lady Buckley’s children. Blast, but she was tired, tired of being treated so disrespectfully by everyone she seemed to come into contact with. “Still? But it’s four o’clock!”
“Yes, miss. But the young master usually sleeps well into the day.”
“Of all the…tell his man to wake him.”
The maid’s gaze grew wide. “Oh no, miss, we can’t disturb the master.”
Ella crossed her arms over her chest and clenched her jaw. Well, really. She’d been waiting for him all day. She was tired of his emotions, tired of the pain, tired of his games. Ridiculous. She’d had plenty of practice with spoiled children and he would not hold the upper hand. Time to start treating the young master like she would any ward.
“Where are his quarters?”
The maid paled. “Down the hall.”
“Very well, if he won’t come to me, I’ll go to him.” She brushed past the gawking girl and out into the corridor.
I can do this, she thought, halfway there. After all, he’s nothing more than an overgrown lad.
She tilted her chin and continued. And inconsiderate lads should be taught better.
Reaching his room, she took in a deep breath. It is time he grew up.
She pounded on the door.
No answer.
She pounded louder.
Still no answer. Clenching her jaw and praying for protection, she tugged open the door.
Darkness enveloped her.
Ella waited for her eyes to adjust. Slowly, shapes emerged. A thin line of light seeped between the thick curtains along one side of the wall. Leaving the door wide, she wove her way between shadowed objects to the windows. She took in a deep breath, steeled herself against the onslaught of Leo’s anger, and wrenched aside the curtains, splashing the room with brilliant light. She blinked, stumbling back and covering her eyes with her hand.
A soft grumble resounded from the corner of the room, and she could feel his mind, alert, waiting to pounce. Had he been awake even before she’d entered? Ella spun around to face a massive four-poster bed. A blanket lay in a crumpled heap, blocking the occupant from view. She took a hesitant step forward and peeked over the mound of covers. The bed was empty.
Confused, Ella turned. “Leo?”
No answer.
Licking her suddenly dry lips, she started forward again, wondering if perhaps he was hidden behind a pillow.
“Leo, it’s time to wake. You’ve slept away the entire day.”
From behind her, a growl erupted. Ella spun around. He pushed himself up from the floor in front of the fireplace, his bare chest gleaming in the sunlight pouring in through the windows. Only a thin blanket made his bed. Quickly, she jerked her gaze up to his. His anger slammed against her, making her weave on her feet. Ella’s heart froze in her chest. His nostrils flared, and his lip curled into a menacing snarl. His eyes, dear Lord, had his eyes turned to fire? She wanted to flee, yet couldn’t seem to move.
His bare feet hit the floor with a thud, his long muscled legs naked from the knees down. His dark hair hung loose to his jaw line. Beside the strange short trousers he wore, nothing else covered his golden body. He stalked toward her, muscles bunching, flexing, under tanned skin.
Run! Run! Her mind screamed, yet she couldn’t seem to move. Stupid, stupid, stupid girl! Just treat him like any of my wards. Except none of her past wards had been tall and muscled. He stopped