Nuworld: Claiming Tara by Laurie Fitzgerald Page A

simple, a woman like that would be boring. She’d offer him
more excitement than any of these women ever would.
Maybe like these women, Lord Darius simply didn’t know
what he was missing.
“Are you about ready?”
    Tara snapped out of her thoughts, and chastised herself
for the direction her thoughts were heading.
“Our next stop is the Bryton home,” Reena announced
cheerfully.
The woman around them began whispering and studied
Tara.
When Tara had agreed to stay at the Bryon home, Reena
had decided it was imperative that she teach Tara more
about being Gothman. Tara wasn’t sure if it was because
she’d told Reena about attacking the guard or because
Reena liked the company. Tara doubted it had anything to
do with Reena worrying about Tara’s life being in danger
under Lord Darius’ roof.
She
looked
down
when
she
climbed
into
the
groundmobile. This time she wasn’t trying to appear
submissive. Tara heard the women whispering loudly. Her
cheeks flamed. Tara tried hiding her embarrassment at the
realization that she would soon be all the Gothman women
talked about.
“You aren’t having second thoughts now, are you?”
Reena asked once she sat in the groundmobile next to
Tara. “We agreed to take you after the quilting was over.”
Tara noticed worry in the older lady’s tone. “No, of
course not.” Tara tried to reassure Reena with a smile. “We
talked about this last night. Moving into the Bryton home
and helping Hilda with the housework will be an ideal way
to learn more about Gothman.”
“Not to mention you will see much of Lord Darius,”
Reena added, giving Tara a side look as she started the
groundmobile.
“True.” Tara wouldn’t deny an attraction to the man. But
there was a lot about him she didn’t like. “He has my bike,
Reena. I need to keep an eye on him.”
The two guards on duty in front of the Lord’s house
didn’t pay any attention to Tara and Reena this time as
they parked and ascended the open room stairs. Hilda
greeted the two of them with open arms and laughter.
“Reena, you are too good to an old woman to share such
a fine young lady with me.” There were tears in Hilda’s
eyes. “You’ll be treated quite fine, Tara. Don’t worry. Do
come inside, both of you. Reena, come see Tara’s room. It’s
ready for her.”
Hilda and Reena entered the house. Tara followed them
carrying the cloth bag Reena had given her, with her
Runner outfit under all her new Gothman dresses. Her
laser was in the bag, too. She had decided not to wear it
while watching all the children. Now in Lord Darius’ home,
she felt exceptionally naked without it. They climbed the
wide staircase and walked to the end of the hallway where
Hilda inserted a key into a door.
“This is my wing of the house.” Hilda led the two women
through the door. She pointed to a closed door. “This is my
room. You’ll be next to me. As safe as can be. Don’t you
think, Reena?”
Tara was amused about their concern with her safety.
Hilda seemed to be emphasizing this to Reena as there was
a problem. She smiled to herself at the thought of two old
women worrying about her well-being. She had a bit of
trepidation over agreeing to live in Lord Darius’ home, but
for very different reasons than Reena and Hilda.
Hilda opened the farthest door at the end of the hallway.
It was a beautifully arranged bedroom. The carpet was as
thick as the carpet in the living room. A single bed had
several comforters spread over the top, and a knitted
blanket was folded at its foot. A bureau and dresser were
on one wall and a small couch against the other. Two glass
doors led to a balcony that looked over the backyard and
provided an excellent view of the rocky hills spreading for
miles beyond the yard. The room was glorious. But for all
its fancy furniture and niceties, Tara liked the fact that
part of it opened to the outside the best.
“You consider this your home,” Hilda said. “Arrange the
room as you please. You unpack your