When you ride with the devil, the shadow of death isn’t the only danger…
Killdaren, Book 2
Years of shielding herself amid historical artifacts has lulled Andromeda into thinking her mind-reading ability is merely a nuisance. Until her sister Cassie’s marriage brings her out among people again. The renewed contact is excruciating…and so are her wildly improper thoughts about her brother-in-law’s emerald-eyed twin, Lord Alexander Killdaren, Viscount Blackmoor.
Andrie has resolved to live as a hermit, but not before she sees to Cassie’s happiness by clearing the suspicion hanging over the Killdaren name. In her soul she knows the brothers are innocent of murder. To prove it, she must get inside Alex’s castle.
When she presents herself to begin cataloging his vast collection of artifacts, she realizes she is in over her head. His mind is closed to her gift, save for a single, breathlessly erotic image. His heated touch is like a dragon’s fire against her skin; his emerald gaze strips her soul bare.
Even as she loses her heart to his dark passion, she uncovers secrets that expose a brutal killer and threaten everything she holds dear. Her life, her sisters…and her sanity.
This book has been previously published.
Product Warnings
Contains a dark hero with eclectic tastes, toe-curling sensuality and a spine-chilling murder mystery.
My voice was tangled up with my pounding heart, but I forced myself to speak, fearing this opportunity would be lost before any significant connection could be made. “Thank you, my lord. Oxford can get intolerably hot this time of the year, and we’ve found the climate here at Dartmoor’s End refreshing.” The horse on the ship let out a shrill whinny, and I glanced at the commotion it caused as the beast reared up from those trying to gentle it. “Unfortunately the sea doesn’t seem to have agreed with that one. Is she yours?”
“Yes, and very special. You’re looking at my legacy. She’s from the Netherlands and carries the seed of the last living Friesian stallion within her. They’re a dying breed that I hope to save from extinction.” His voice deepened with a haunting emotion as he spoke, vibrating a chord within me so strongly that I almost missed that he’d said my legacy as opposed to a legacy. The nuance seemed significant to me, but his expression remained casual, revealing little. “I’m about to go on board to meet her.”
“She’s so beautiful,” Cassie said.
“She’s exquisite,” I murmured. I’d never seen a more beautiful horse, sleek and black with an impossibly long mane and tail. Tufts of glistening hair covered each of her hooves to give her a majestic appearance worthy of any legend. She appeared as if she were made of the greatest elements of earth imbued with the spirit of the heavens. It was also clear to me that Alexander was about to depart from our company. I motioned to the ship and boldly stepped past any rules of manners or propriety I’d been taught. “We’d love to go aboard to join you in welcoming her to her new home.”
I barely bit back my groan as Cassie shook her head. “I don’t think I care to venture over the gangplank. But why don’t you go with the viscount, Andrie, then meet Gemini and me at the shops near the carriage.”
Lord Alexander frowned. “The gangplank can be a bit unsteady with the wind as gusty as it is today.”
“I’ve remarkable balance, and would love to meet your legacy, my lord.”
“Enjoy yourself then,” Cassie said, with a smile and a wink, before she turned for the carriage where I could see Gemini in conversation with Lord Ashton and Mr. Drayson, mutual friends of Sean and Lord Alexander.
Having little choice, Alexander offered me his arm, and I set my gloved hand on him. Once again, I could discern none of his emotions or feelings. His mind was like a gray mist where I could see nothing beyond dark shadows, no thoughts and no images, just strong nebulous emotions. Being next to him sent little jolts of fire through me though, wreaking havoc on all of my senses. It was no wonder my sight was rendered useless with him.
He stiffly led the way to the ship, taking care that we didn’t step to close to the edge of the rocking gangplank, and my heart sank at his reserved manner. It was so different than before. When we first met this summer, I had felt such intense interest from him, so much so that were he a pirate I had no doubt he would have kidnapped me and taken me captive aboard his ship.
“What’s her name? It must be something special, I should think.”
“I don’t know her name yet,” he replied. “What would you name her, Miss Andrews?”
I didn’t hesitate to answer. “A name is very important and must have a great history behind it. Which of the world’s legends or myths do you find heart in? The Druids, the Norse, the Greeks from ages past, or the more recent tales of King Arthur and his knights?”
“Since I’m in the company of Andromeda, I’ll be the gentleman and say Greek since Andromeda was a Greek princess.”
His choice secretly pleased me, despite his diplomatic reasoning. “Iris,” I said softly as the name for the dark horse came quickly to me. “The goddess of the rainbow, a symbol of the union of earth and sky, for the horse looks as if she could fly when she runs.”
“Interesting.” We’d reached the top of the gangplank. He moved to the starboard deck first, then, surprisingly, reached for me, placing both hands at my sides to help lift me over the rail and cargo. I was aware of every sizzling inch of his fingers and palms pressed so firmly against my waist. Heat flashed through me as he set me on my feet, much closer to his person than I should be in public or private. “And according to some the mother of Eros as well.” He gazed directly into my eyes before releasing me. The heat burning there left no question that he was still attracted to me. I gasped at the connection and the sensations sliding through me as I realized his reserved manner was but an act. “Excellent choice, Miss Andrews. Iris it is, and I’ll hope to name the foal Eros.”
The seductive tone of his voice went straight to my head with dizzying force. I wasn’t sure how I navigated my way across the deck.
Suddenly, before we had quite reached her, the mare reared up again and broke free of her handlers, charging right at us.
“Damn,” Alexander said as he scooped me up. In that moment, I saw into his mind as he jumped onto the bags of rice waiting on the deck. The image of a naked blonde woman, bound in his bed, flashed before my eyes. My breath caught then flew away with the vision as he deposited me out of harm’s way and grabbed one of the ropes trailing behind the mare. She instantly reared up, pawing the air, but he held on, tugging gently on the rope and whispering soothing words to the frightened animal. She pranced nervously in place before butting him with her head. When she appeared to be quieting, Alexander grasped her halter, continuing to gentle her with his voice. I had no idea what he whispered in her ear, but I did know one thing.
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