Page 29 of Four Promises to Love

She took his automatic reply as a positive sign. Some people responded more keenly to her skills, and she was able to pull them deeply into their past. Owen appeared to be submerged in his memories, barely registering her presence. This was good; in his impressionable state, he would readily believe that she was channeling spirits.

Time to pour on the butterboat. Nothing like flattery to win a man over.

“A strong, capable fellow like you,” she purred. “Despite your youth, men readily followed your lead.”

His eyelids drooped, his lashes veiling his gaze. “Yes.”

“You took charge as only a true leader can.”

“Yes.”

“The other soldiers—they trust you. Depend upon you.”

His lashes flew up. Seeing his wide pupils, she felt a stab of unease. There was a blankness in his stare—as if he were lost in whatever he was remembering.

Am I pushing too hard? I should pull back. Appeal to his vanity.

“I sense the admiration of those around you,” she said soothingly. “Men looking up to you, their brave and fearless leader.”

When he nodded, she plowed on.

“The responsibility is great, but I feel your confidence, your knack for command⁠—”

“Run!”

His sudden shout cut through the room. An instant later, he was on his feet, yanking her toward him. She stumbled, but he caught her—only to throw her on the ground. He leapt atop her. Winded and stunned, she could only stare at him.

His expression was wild, and his eyes were blind with panic.

“Stay down,” he barked. “The bullets!”

“B-bullets?” she whispered.

Then she realized what she’d done. What she hadn’t anticipated.

The panic slowly bled from his gaze. She saw the moment he returned to himself. Saw the horror carved on his face—saw far too much in his turbulent gaze before the door banged open, and he was suddenly yanked off her.

“Get your hands off her, you bounder,” Caleb snarled.

He and Simon each held Owen by an arm, jerking him roughly, though he did not resist.

“Don’t hurt him!” Finn choked out as she staggered to her feet. “He didn’t do anything.”

“You swells are all the same,” Caleb spat. “You think you’re entitled to take whatever you want. Well, Madame Seraphina is not yours to manhandle.”

“You’ve been bad, your lordship.” Tansy emerged by Simon’s side. “You ought to be punished.”

The thread of menace in the girl’s voice dispelled the rest of Finn’s shock.

“Leave Lord Owen be. This was my fault, not his.”

Her voice trembled at Owen’s raw expression. At the anguish in his eyes.

“I-I am sorry,” she said falteringly. “I didn’t mean to⁠—”

“Forget it.”

He shook off Caleb and Simon as if they were no more than fleas. She saw his barely leashed aggression, the shuddering power of his wiry frame as he tried to regain control.