Page 7 of Scandalized by My Prince
“I’d like to thank him,” Aubriella said after she brushed her thoughts away. There was time to study the time period and all of the ins and outs regarding it later. Now she had to help the man she’d glimpsed in the mirror. He’d been in pain, and she couldn’t resist coming to him. The Earl of Thornbury could be that man. She had to meet him and find out. Maybe her gift would return in time to do some good. “When might I be introducedtohim?”
A soft knock on the door prevented Lady Odessa from answering. “Odess….” The man she’d seen in the mirror filled the doorframe. He’d stopped midsentence when his gaze locked on Aubriella. He was so beautiful, her heart stopped for a moment when she’d stared into his golden eyes. “I see our guest is awake,” he said. “How are youfairing?”
She smiled at him. Her gift was returning in slow degrees, and this man’s pain stabbed through her. It wasn’t as potent as when she’d glimpsed him in the mirror, but it was enough for her to breathe sharply. He couldn’t know that though. Smiling was her way of combating it and shielding herself from any furtheroverload.
“I’m fine, my lord,” she replied. “Thank you forhelpingme.”
He nodded. “Why were you on mylands?”
The lord didn’t believe in pulling his punches, did he? He jumped right in and asked the question as boldly as he pleased. A part of her rather liked his no-nonsense attitude. She could get used to that if she chose to stay awhile. “I’m not sure how I came to be here.” Not a lie entirely. She had traveled to find him, so it would make sense the mirror would spit her out on his property; however, she didn’t know how itworked.
“Were you running from someone?” heasked.
She shook her head. More like running to someone… “I don’tbelieveso.”
He frowned. “What happened toyourgown?”
Aubriella glanced down. She wasn’t wearing her skirt and matching blouse anymore. Now she wore a prudish white nightgown, buttoned to the neck. Ruffles and lace were everywhere. How had she not noticed it before? That’s right—she’d been to focused on the pain in her head and her new surroundings. She’d failed to take in her attire. Could anyoneblameher?
“Killian,” Lady Odessa said. Aubriella silently thanked her for giving her his first name.Killian… She rather liked the sound of it inside her head. She couldn’t wait to say it aloud. Lady Odessa had Aubriella’s back and chastised her brother, “I think that’s enough. Do you really think this is a good time to interrogate MissByrne?”
“Miss Byrne?” He lifted a brow. “You recall your name butnothingelse?”
Hell. He wasn’t going to be easy to work with. She’d have to do the one thing she hated doing. Turning on the helpless attitude and sucking him into her thrall. It would be painful, especially with her current weakened state, but it was necessary. She closed her eyes and concentrated, reaching out for him. Aubriella locked onto the emotions pouring out of him and drew them in. Once she had a solid lock on him, she opened her eyes and met his gaze. Every inch of pain running through him now rushed through her instead. Lord Thornbury sucked in a breath and stared. His mouth fell open, and he took several stepstowardher.
“Are you all right?” He reached out, but yanked his hand back. “How did I not notice how fragileyouare?”
Aubriella was good and truly drained, but Killian was where she needed him. After awhile he’d be able to break free of the thrall, but not before she was able to get to the bottom of his pain. When she left him, he’d be a better man, or at the very least, able to move on with his life. He was the reason she’d come tothepast.
“I’m fine, my lord,” she said softly. “You don’t need to worryoverme.”
That was the truth. He shouldn’t concern himself with her. She figured he would though. It was part of her gift. If she needed to, she could appear as a helpless waif and draw people to her. The toughest people broke away the fastest—or those truly in love. Her gift seemed to cause men to react the strongest, but women weren’t immune. She had to work harder to make them see what she wantedthemto.
Lord Thornbury kept his gaze on her, but spoke to Lady Odessa. “Order a tray of food brought up for Miss Byrne. She hasn’t eaten in days and she’ll needsubstance.”
Lady Odessa nodded and headed out of the room. Aubriella almost laughed at how fast she exited. Why wasn’t his sister worried about leaving him alone with an unmarried woman? What did she miss? Maybe it was nothing. The lady might have agreed with Lord Thornbury and decided she needed something to eat. On cue, her stomach growled, echoing throughtheroom.
“You are hungry,” Lord Thornbury said. “Food should arrive shortly. Is there anything I can get for you in theinterim?”
Aubriella shook her head. “I don’t suppose you have something more…” She picked at the lace on her sleeve and considered her words carefully. “I’d like to leave this bed, and my current attire isn’t something I can traverse thecastlein.”
He smiled. “I’ve already seen to having a gown altered for your use while you’re here. It’s one of Odessa’s old gowns. She’s considerably taller than you, but her maid believes shortening it will do the trick. She took your measurements while youslept.”
Not creepy at all… She wouldn’t chastise him for it. The dress would come in handy later, and it didn’t matter how he managed to procure it for her. She was grateful he’d thought ahead, and at least he’d not been the one to poke and prod her while she was unconscious. Awake though—she might invite him to touch her as hepleased.
“Thank you,” she said for what felt like the hundredth time. “I can never repay you for yourkindness.”
“Think nothing of it,” he replied, then paused. Lord Thornbury tilted his head and studied her before saying, “Though there is one thing I’d likefromyou.”
She wasn’t sure if she should give in to anything. Curiosity won out in the end. “What would you like my lord?” Was it wrong a part of her hoped he asked for a kiss? Aubriella longed to feel this man’s lips on hers. He was wildly attractive with his dark hair and golden tiger eyes. He was all male, and she wanted to lick every inch of him.Down girl—jumping the guy isn’t whyyou’rehere…
“Tell me your full name,”hesaid.
That was it? He could’ve easily gotten that from his sister. She must not have the same affect on him as he did her. He almost seemed—unmoved. He was more courteous and careful with her though. That was her gift at play. She blew out a breath. “Aubriella Byrne,” she told him. “But you may callmeBrie.”
Why had she given him permission to use hernickname?
“Aubriella,” he said. His voice was a deep, rich timbre that rumbled through her. She could get used to this man saying her name. “A lovely name for an even lovelier lass.” He bent down and lifted her chin with his fingers, bringing her chin up so she could meet his gaze. “I think you and I are going to become wellacquainted.”
With those words, he spun on his heels and exited the room. Aubriella’s breathing became ragged and she’d never been so turned on in her life. Well acquaintedindeed…
