Unleashed by Abby Gordon Read Free Book Online Page A

to my door. You cast her to the wolves a long time ago. Don’t get upset now when one claims her as his own.”
    “I am her father.”
    “And she will be mine.”
    “Are you going to use anything similar to this on her?” came the unrelenting demand.
    “I won’t need to. Amanda will surrender all to me. It is her nature. You must force Bettina to submit to you. If you’re honest, you’ll admit that you will enjoy it.” Wulfgar glanced at the woman. “She may as well. Stay or go as you wish,” he shrugged. “But, know this and heed my words well, Amanda remains with me.”
    He left, closing the door behind him.

Chapter Five
    Wulfgar heard the music through the library door the servants had left open. He glanced at the couple who ran his household.
    “A good sound,” commented the lord.
    “It’s been too long since we heard a sound like that,” the butler agreed. “My lord, Father Wenceslas went into town before the first storm started. He hasn’t yet returned. I took the liberty of having the young man’s body wrapped and put in the chapel cellar.”
    “Thank you, Anders.” He looked at the housekeeper. “How is she?”
    “She had a bit of cry,” Mrs. Anders replied. “She told me that soon after her mother died, her brother changed and they weren’t as close as they had been growing up. Aaron’s mother’s family was aristocracy and hers was not. Aaron would tease her about it constantly. So he broke the bond that had been between them.” She shook her head and looked toward the library when the music paused. There was a soft rustle as one set of sheets was replaced for the next. And the music began again. “Still, it’s hard for her.”
    Entering the library, Wulfgar paused to observe her playing. She was lost in the music, he realized, watching her body sway. With a start, he recognized the notes as his. His gaze went to the stacks around her. Slowly he went to his desk. Before sitting down, he looked at her and smiled. She had gone through all the sheets, looking for his. He didn’t know if she had guessed that he had written it, but that didn’t matter.
    Through the morning, she played as he worked. As his father had, Wulfgar found the accounts more bearable with a woman playing the piano. The thought again reminded him of his suspicion. Words of his father regarding women and what he would truly need in his life came back to him, seeming to confirm what was happening. But he had thought that before, and nearly lost his soul and the one family member left to him. He would be very careful and certain before taking that chance again.
    Mrs. Anders brought them a light luncheon of soup, small rolls, and cheese. The two sat companionably on the loveseat before the fire to eat.
    “What has happened to my father and Bettina?” she asked hesitantly.
    “They are in a separate wing,” he replied easily. He was quite sure she wouldn’t be able to handle details. “There are things in their marriage they need to discuss. They need their privacy.”
    “And…” She swallowed. Sorrow radiated from her. “What about my brother’s…”
    “Father Wenceslas is not currently on the estate. Anders had Aaron’s body put in the chapel cellar until the priest returns.”
    Nodding, her misery showing in her expression, Amanda drank her tea. Lunch finished, he glanced out the window. Some estate matters had to be dealt with before the storm renewed.
    “I need to attend to things about the grounds,” he told her. “If you want a bit of fresh air, have Anders with you.” The horror of her brother’s body flared in her eyes and he covered her hand with his. “You’ll be as safe with him as you would be with me.”
    “Could I come with you?” she asked in a soft voice.
    “Perhaps tomorrow if the storm has passed over. The air is too cold for you to be out as long as I will be gone,” he replied. “I think we might have dinner earlier this evening as it will be just the two of us. If you’ll