Free Shattered Dreams by Laura Landon Page A

sigh that hurt as it rushed into the open. The voice of reason shouted that every minute she spent with him put her in greater danger. That voice was right. She knew what she had to do. She’d send a message that she’d decided to retire for the night. Sleep would be difficult enough the way it was since she knew whose face would appear even in her dreams. But dreams were safer than reality.
    She turned around to make her way to her rooms and stopped before she took her first step.
    Charfield stood in the shadows watching her.
    He leaned against the dark stone in a casual pose and drank from one glass. He held a second glass in his hand.
    “Would you care for a glass of wine?” He offered her a glass when he reached her.
    “How long have you been there?” She took the glass from his hand then lifted it to her lips.
    “I was enjoying the view.”
    “It’s dark. There isn’t a view.”
    He smiled. “There is a view.”
    She swallowed hard. Heavens, he was flirting with her.
    Her heart raced and she prayed her shaking hand wouldn’t give away her nervousness.
    “Your brother has an excellent cellar” He leaned his hip against the balustrade.
    He was close. Too close.
    Not close enough.
    “The cellar is mine,” she answered, then nearly laughed at the surprised expression on his face. “And so is Fellings Down.”
    He smiled. “I’m impressed, Lady Elyssa. I naturally assumed that—”
    “...that because of its name, Fellings Down must be entailed,” she finished for him. “It’s not. It’s been in the Fellingsdown family for generations and my father generously deeded the estate to me for my lifetime.”
    Charfield’s gaze never left her face as he took another slow sip of his drink.
    “Was deeding you the estate your father’s idea? Or yours?”
    “Mine.”
    “You’re a very practical woman, aren’t you?” He set his glass on the flat stone railing.
    “My mother tells me I’m a very independent woman. Too independent.”
    “And what do you think?”
    She couldn’t help but smile. “I think she’s probably right. Being self-sufficient has always been important to me.”
    “My guess is that it’s been an uphill battle. Am I right?”
    The corner of the terrace where they stood wasn’t brightly lit, but every once in a while the clouds would let the moonlight brighten the sky. She took advantage of one of those times to study his features. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”
    “Your family.”
    She smiled. “Oh.”
    He picked up his glass and took a sip. “Only a blind man could fail to notice how closely your brothers watch every move you make. The moment you slid to the edge of the sofa to rise, all four of them instantly came to attention. You had an arsenal of at-the-ready protectors waiting until they were certain you weren’t going to object to my assistance.”
    His smile widened. “I daresay they would have rushed to your side at the slightest indication.”
    She tried to hold his gaze but couldn’t. “I’m very fortunate to have such attentive brothers.”
    “Have they always been so protective?”
    She looked out into the shadows. Even though there was nothing to see, she scanned the horizon as if she could see the vibrant colors of every blooming flower. How could she tell him that they’d left her remarkably alone tonight? That they usually hovered over her as diligently as a mother hen over her chicks.
    She tightened her grip around the handle of her cane. No, it would only elicit pity from him if he knew the reason they shielded her so. “Sometimes they forget I am quite capable of taking care of myself.”
    “So you find it necessary to remind them.”
    “Perhaps,” she said with a smile.
    He studied her for a small second then asked a question that seemed to test her confession. “Would you stroll through the garden with me?”
    Her gaze snapped to his. “I cannot.”
    “Because of your leg? Does it pain you when you walk?”
    She shook her