His Wicked Seduction novel Chapter 56

The rider from London arrived in the early evening, just in time to prevent everyone from going to dinner. Lucien took the note, and he and Cedric returned to his study to read it in privacy. Horatia and her sister lingered in the corridor outside. She thought it might involve news from his friends in London.

Pressed against the wooden door to eavesdrop, Horatia flinched when she heard Cedric curse. There was a heavy thud, as though something had hit the wall. Lucien muttered something she couldn't hear, then there was a growl from her brother before footsteps approached the door. Both Audrey and Horatia scampered back, hoping to conceal their feeble attempts at eavesdropping.

When the door opened, Horatia's stomach clenched as she saw Cedric's face shrouded by a mask of pain and barely controlled rage.

"What is it?" Audrey asked as she glanced between Cedric and Lucien.

"Charles sent some bad news," Lucien answered carefully. He glanced around, making sure that it was only the four of them. Horatia knew it must be a private League matter if he didn't wish for his brothers or anyone else to overhear.

"What happened?" Her throat constricted.

"Ashton was wounded when he and Godric were investigating the threats we overheard," Lucien said. "Someone shot him, but he'll be fine."

Horatia watched him closely. "That's not all, is it? You're not telling us everything." She'd been too afraid to ask her brother or Lucien, but she'd sensed there was more to this situation than either had let on. Were they all in more danger than she'd originally believed?

"I'm sorry. Someone killed Muff." Cedric's low sharp tone made Horatia flinch.

Audrey screamed. "No!"

"Waverly somehow managed to breach our home." Cedric's fists tightened as he spoke. "Someone killed Muff. They drowned him and left him in a tub at Charles's house."

"But why?" Audrey whimpered, tears threatening to spill over.

"Because he could. He wanted us to know our homes aren't safe. And he's succeeded. No one is going back until this is resolved." Cedric's tone was dark in a way that Horatia had never heard before.

"How do you know it was Waverly?" Horatia asked. Her voice cracked, but she got the words out.

Neither her brother nor Lucien replied for several long moments.

"We have no proof," Lucien said. "It's more of a feeling."

Cedric added his own dark thoughts. "He tried to drown Charles once. Now he's drowned a cat. It's obvious enough it's him."

There was a vengefulness in his brown eyes that frightened her. He was buried in a rage she understood all too well. She could barely think herself, the anger and grief churned to violence inside her.

Audrey threw herself at Cedric's chest and wept. Cedric folded her in his embrace.

"Take her to her room, Cedric," Lucien said. "I'll have dinner sent up."

Cedric nodded in silent thanks before leading Audrey, still sniffling, up to her bedchamber.

"Horatia?" Lucien was at her side now, weariness carved lines in his face. He'd always seemed confident and self-assured to her before, but his look now was entirely new to her. He appeared vulnerable.