Free Bound by Light by Tracey Jane Jackson Page B

it to be a
positive or a negative?”
    “Being whisked into a private rail car?
Positive,” she said. “Being accosted by sixteen-year-olds with
barely any clothes on? Negative.”
    He grinned. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    A young man in uniform made his way to them
and smiled. “Sir, ma’am, may I get you a drink or something to
eat?”
    “Coffee,” Sydney said immediately.
“Please.”
    “Same,” Thane said. “What would you like for
breakfast?”
    “Surprise me.” Sydney grinned. “But
definitely something with bacon.”
    Thane chuckled. “Everything’s better with
bacon.”
    “A valuable motto to live by.”
    Thane focused back on the server. “Full
breakfast, please.”
    “Very good, sir.”
    The server walked away and Sydney leaned
against Thane. He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her
closer.
    “Careful, honey, I’ll fall asleep if you
make me any more comfortable,” Sydney warned, settling against his
chest.
    He chuckled. “Sleep, baby. We’ve got
time.”
    “But there’s bacon coming,” she whispered
even as her eyes were closing.
    “I’ll wake you when it gets here,” he
promised.
    She nodded with a smile and snuggled closer.
She didn’t even remember falling asleep, but as promised, Thane
woke her to eat. Even with the lure of bacon, she was hard-pressed
to leave the comfort of his arms, but the pig won out and she
devoured her meal.
     

 
    CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    “W OW,” SYDNEY
EXCLAIMED with a low whistle as they drove through wrought-iron
gates and down a long drive. “All of this is yours?”
    “Aye, love.”
    The train ride had been breathtaking. Well,
it had been breathtaking for as long as she’d managed to stay
awake, but a full belly and strong arms to hold her had her falling
asleep shortly after breakfast. Thane had awakened her right before
they pulled into the station, so she only got a brief look at the
passing scenery and then they were pulling into the depot.
    Thane’s home came into view and it was like
something out of a medieval movie, the white stone house that
looked more like a mansion sitting on acreage that rivaled a king’s
fiefdom.
    “It’s a Scots Baronial property,” he said.
“I built it in 1760 and refurbished it a few years ago.”
    “ You built it?”
    “Aye, lass.”
    “Just how old are you?” she
whispered.
    He smiled. “Two hundred and
eighty-five.”
    “Shut up.”
    Thane chuckled. “I know it’s a lot to take
in.”
    “Ya think?”
    The car pulled up to the front door and
Thane took Sydney’s hand, leading her inside. “I have about a
hundred-twenty-five acres which we can explore this weekend. I’m
not sure if you ride, but I have horses and we can take them out
whenever you like.”
    Sydney nodded as she took in the space. “I
love horses.”
    Thane’s home had five bedrooms, four
bathrooms, something he called a reception hall, but it was more of
a room with historic furniture inside, drawing room, kitchen,
family room, library... she kind of zoned out as he kept listing
rooms. She knew it would take some time to explore the entire
house, not to mention the property.
    There was apparently a cottage somewhere as
well, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and all the necessities of
a separate home.
    “Sweetheart?”
    “Hmm?” Thane squeezed her hand and she came
back to the present. “Oh, sorry. I’m trying to take it all in. What
did I miss?”
    He grinned. “Nothing, love. Come on, I’ll
show you to your room.”
    “I’m going to get lost,” she said as he led
her upstairs.
    “No you won’t. If you do, just let me know.”
He tapped his temple.
    “Or, you could just stay glued to my side at
all times.”
    “That works too.” He pushed open a large
mahogany door and stepped back for her to precede him inside.
    A king-sized wrought-iron bed sat to the
right as she walked into the room, a fireplace was centered on the
wall opposite the bed, and two high-backed chairs created a reading
area facing a