Page 45 of Sweet Siren
Liv watched them go, her heart beatingfrantically.
"What's wrong?" Lily appeared, Garrett in her arms, at the door to her chambers. "Who'syelling?"
Liv strode to her. "The earl of Carbury is here demanding to seeJulian."
Lily approached the railing and leaned over to watch Carbury and Killian descend the staircase. "Trouble withElanna?"
"It seems so. Yes." Liv curled an arm around Lily's waist. "Come back to yourrooms."
"She should never have married him," Lily said. "She's hated him almost from the moment they wereengaged."
Liv could utter compassionate words to her, but thought such sentiments less than useful. "Let Killian and Julian handleit."
"I worry about theirson."
Of course shedid.
"Elanna has no idea how to care for a small baby. I didn't. And she's without her mother as I was. Nate will suffer, poor mite. Fortunate me, that I have you as afriend."
"And I with you as my friend, Lily." She steered her back into her chamber and indicated she should sit in one of her Chippendalechairs.
"I fear what she'll do," Lily said, her eyes on the hollow of thefireplace.
Liv took one of her hands. "Please don't worry. You'll convey that to young Garrett and he won't understand why. Let your father and your husband handleCarbury."
"I'm telling you, she is a slut!" Carburyyelled.
At the violent words rising up from the hall, Lily's eyes went wide. "Dear god. What is wrong with thatman?"
A door slammedshut.
Other male voices rose up thestaircase.
Lily jumped to her feet and raced to the hall, the baby in herarms.
Liv was right behindher.
They stood, horrified at the scene belowthem.
In the beauty of the pink marble foyer, three angry men faced oneanother.
"You came quickly, Seton!" Carbury taunted Julian. "Wise of you. Tell this man to releaseme."
"I'd say he must have reason. I saw your carriage from the cottages. Saw my footman running toward me. What do you want, man?" Julian strode to his brother-in-law.
"Heed my words, Seton. Your sister goes too far. Restrain her. Put a bit between herteeth."
"What'shappened?"
"She insults me. Shames me. I'll not have it. You're to blame. Stop her or—orelse!"
"Do not threaten me,Carbury!"
The earl lunged forJulian.
"Oh!" Lilygasped.
"Let me go!" Carbury demanded of Killian who still had him by thearm.
