Free The Succubus by Sarah Winn Page A

she peeped from a window. Four horsemen were approaching. She instantly recognized Daniel. Sir Theobald, and the young knight from Tewsbarrow, Sir Robert, and a man-at-arms from Whitmere Keep were riding with him.
    Realizing Sir Theobald must be conducting a tour of the manor, Isabel held her breath hoping the men would ride by. But they slowed and Sir Theobald dipped his head toward the cottage. A look of surprise came over Daniel’s face when he turned toward it. While the house had two stories, it was half-timbered and had a thatched roof, hardly a residence for nobility. Is Daniel shocked at the shoddy way Kendrick provided for my family?
    He spoke to the other men and then came into their courtyard alone as the others rode toward Whitmere Keep. His coming alone had to mean he wanted a private talk with her. Surely that was a good omen. Isabel took a long look at her sleeping daughter and then squared her shoulders and started downstairs.
    Her brothers, John and Thomas had already opened the door when she reached the top of the stairs. She heard Daniel loudly announce, “I’m the Baron of Tewsbarrow, here to see Lady Isabel.” Then his head twisted back and forth as he examined the identical twins.
    Isabel paused, struck by the handsome impression he made dressed in a flowing brown cloak with wide sleeves trimmed in fur. A reddish brown tunic hung from beneath the cloak. He wore no head covering and his tawny hair turned under just before touching his shoulders. The most impressive thing about him, however, was his air of haughty command. He was not here as a lover.
    Miranda rushed into the hallway, dropped a hurried curtsy and said, “Lord Daniel, welcome. I’m Lady Miranda, Isabel’s mother.”
    â€œI’m here to see the baroness and the child,” Daniel said in a demanding tone.
    Lady Miranda looked taken aback by his brusqueness. “Of course, she’s…”
    Isabel couldn’t let her mother take abuse meant for her and started down the stairs. “Welcome to our home, Lord Daniel.”
    He watched her descend with a frown. When she was standing in front of him, he said, “I expected to find you at Tewsbarrow.”
    â€œI wasn’t sure you’d want me to remain there.”
    â€œThe child is a baron’s daughter; she deserves to be raised in a castle, not a hovel.”
    Her mother gasped. Isabel turned and patted her arm. “Mother, may I have a few words in private with Lord Daniel?”
    Miranda nodded and pointed to the chairs gathered in front of the fireplace. “Yes, why don’t you have a seat and I’ll see to refreshments.”
    â€œDon’t bother on my account, Lady Miranda. I only have a brief message for Lady Isabel, and I’ll be on my way.”
    Daniel followed Isabel to the portion of the room that served as a sitting area. The jump in his pulse rate at his first sight of her had shown him how truly angry he still was with her, and he took a moment to calm down before speaking.
    But how does she have the nerve to appear before me dressed like some pious nun? He was sorely tempted to rip that damn veil and wimple off and expose her shiny black hair and— not now. Not now . He wanted her humiliation to be before all the residents of Tewsbarrow, not her mother.
    He sat in a stiff-backed chair and removed his riding gloves. “I’ll be touring Whitmere lands for the rest of the day, but I’m returning to Tewsbarrow in the morning and plan to take my ward with me.”
    That got her full attention. She stared up at him with wide, frightened eyes. “You-you’re taking her away from me?”
    â€œYou may accompany the child, but only if you accept my complete authority over you.”
    She stared at him for another moment and then slumped into a chair opposite his. “You are my lord,” she softly murmured.
    He wanted to hit her, instead he barked, “And don’t you forget