Free Szereto, Mellanie - Two Pirates to Treasure [Bewitching Desires 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Mellanie Szereto Page A

their search. The more of the world he and Grant traveled, the better their chances of locating their target. Now that they had, the strategy had proven itself worthy.
    The soft padding of feet on the polished wood floor had him turning toward the entrance to the library as Jolán hurried through the doorway. “Orsolya, sorry I’m late. I was playing with the babies and lost track of time.”
    Saved from another deception. He crossed the room to brush his lips over Orshy’s cheek. “Grant and I will leave you to your lessons, love.”
    Grant mimicked the action. “We shall await your arrival at the dining hall for lunch.”
    Striding out of the room before she could insist on an answer to her query, Ethan followed the hall toward the front staircase with his cousin close behind him. “I despise not being able to tell her. She is an innocent in this game we must play.”
    “She deserves to be prepared.” The hissed response at his shoulder confirmed Grant’s dislike of the situation as well.
    “Do you suppose our dilemma is the reason for so many failures in the past?” As Ethan continued toward the opposite hall, he shoved his fingers through his hair. “We must succeed, if only to prevent distress to Orshy by causing her to believe that we would ever choose to leave her.”
    Male laughter echoed along the corridor leading to the dining room, and a moment later Amalric and Ranulf walked out of one of the other rooms.
    Amalric shook his head and grinned. “Our Lu tells a fine bawdy joke. Ah, Ethan and Grant. How fare you after being put in your place by Orsolya this fine morning?”
    Giving a shrug, Grant offered his hand to the former knights. “We have apologized yet again for overstepping the unbeknownst boundaries set by our mate.”
    They exchanged handshakes, and Ethan nodded. “Orshy angers easily. Are all women of this time so quick to change moods?”
    With a chuckle, Ranulf gestured toward the way Ethan and Grant had just come. “Let’s go outside where we won’t be overheard and misinterpreted. Amalric and I will show you around.”
    Ethan gave a nod. The former knight had the right of it. Orshy mistook many a simple statement for something with greater meaning and then threatened to return her mates to a ship that likely had run aground.
    As they exited the mansion, he half expected to walk out into a cloudburst, but the storm clouds present during Orshy’s tirade had blown apart to reveal bits of blue sky. A cobblestone lane wove a path between two green expanses edged by a tall stone wall. An iron gate blocked the drive from the road beyond. Fortress seemed a more accurate word for the estate than mansion—which could make his task easier or far more difficult.
    “To the south lies the road.” Amalric pointed toward the wall and gate. “All visitors must enter through the video monitoring system.”
    Grant’s expression mirrored the confusion in Ethan’s mind.
    Raising his hands to form a square, Ranulf framed the top of a tree. “A video is a moving picture. Imagine a portrait that catches the movements of the people and objects within it. It is very useful technology for keeping track of who is on the property. All those who live here help maintain the secrecy and safety of the family. The townsfolk must not become aware of the Macska legacy.”
    Tek-nul-o-gee. Vid-e-o. What strange words in this century.
    “Nor the existence of the Order of the Elements.” Amalric motioned for Ethan and Grant to follow him to the corner of the house. The view included several outbuildings, acres of gardens and yards, and mature forest in the distance. “Plants will soon sprout in the tilled areas for the summer, and the greenhouses enable us to grow many of our own vegetables during the cold season. The woods form the north boundary with a secure fence and devices for detecting motion.”
    As they walked the perimeter of the mansion to a series of fieldstone paths, the former knights identified the