Daughter of Darkness by Janet Woods Page B

lake. The home meadows and the avenue of oaks and rhododendrons that led towards the main gates all fell within his vision. Though the grounds and trees were shrouded in snow, he drank in the sight.
    His glance was drawn by the sound of laughter coming from the meadow. He grinned with pleasure as he watched the riders taking the jumps. Jeffrey he recognized despite his brother’s growth. He sat easy in the saddle, and appeared to be shouting something at the smaller figure. Scooping some snow from a hedge the smaller figure gave a trill of laughter as he threw it at Jeffrey.
    Whoever the youth was, he could ride. Leaning forward, Gerard watched him put his mount over the jumps. The horse was a magnificent beast, the rider so familiar with it that Gerard sensed their rapport from where he sat. He gave a shout of admiration when the pair completed the circuit without a fault.
    His brother’s sword appeared in his hand. ‘Stay where you are, sir,’ he shouted. ‘State your business on Lytton land.’
    Overjoyed to see his brother again, Gerard urged his mount forward. ‘Will you not extend a welcome to your brother?’
    ‘Gerard!’ The urgent whisper clearly reached his ears.
    Immediately, the youth kicked the black mare into motion and took a run at the wall.
    ‘Whoa,’ Gerard breathed, recalling where he’d last seen the horse. ‘The mare has not the speed to clear such an obstacle.’
    The rider knew better. Gerard’s heart seemed to suspend its beating when the pair easily cleared the wall. ‘God’s oath!’ He couldn’t believe what his eyes had just seen. ‘Who’s riding that mare?’
    Jeffrey, delighted to see his brother again, blushed as he lied. ‘Tis one of the stable boys.’
    He frowned. ‘He dresses well for a stable boy.’
    ‘Some of the clothes I’ve outgrown.’ Jeffrey gazed at his brother’s manservant, desperate to change the subject. ‘Is Gregson no longer with you?’
    ‘He stayed in America.’ Gerard grinned, the black mare forgotten in his pleasure at being home. ‘You’ve no idea how long it seems since I saw you last. You’re almost a man, Jeffrey’
    ‘And you look like a ruffian with that beard.’
    ‘Rodgers will have it off me before I seek my father’s blessing.’ He eyed his brother fondly. ‘Come, we’ll ride back to the house together and you can tell me what’s been happening in my absence. I’ve been without news of my family for too long. How is our father and mother?’
    It was a grief-stricken Gerard who entered his father’s home a little while later. He followed his brother straight to the earl’s sick bed and gazed at the unmoving form without speaking.
    Frightened by his stony countenance, Jeffrey put a tentative hand on his arm, only to have it shrugged off. Gerard gazed at his brother for a few seconds, his eyes stunned and unseeing, then he strode downstairs to his father’s study. ‘Let no one pass that door,’ he barked at Rodgers. ‘I want to grieve alone. Is that understood?’
    ‘Perfectly, My Lord.’ Rodgers sighed as he saw the guilt-stricken grief etched into his master’s face. He had a feeling his month’s trial was going to be more than he’d bargained for.

Chapter Four
    Tension stalked the corridors of Lytton House. It communicated itself to the inhabitants and manifested in different ways.
    Edwina felt it in a painful contraction of muscles in her neck that caused her head and shoulders to ache abominably. The hot poultices Willow administered did not help, and she was heartily sick of peppermint tea.
    The servants whispered and grumbled amongst themselves. They cast surreptitious glances at Willow, who affected not to notice as she waited—somewhat impatiently after a week of waiting—to be summoned into her husband’s presence. She was, at that early hour, attending the doctor in the earl’s bedchamber. Convinced he’d improved slightly, she was assuring the doctor of the same. ‘His eyes have an aware look to them