Slave to the Night (The Brotherhood Series, Book 2) (27 page)

Leo strained to hear the conversation.

"Frederick pushed me over."

She turned to another boy. "Is this true, Frederick?"

The boy looked at the floor and nodded.

"Then you must be a gentleman. You must hold your head up and say sorry," she replied firmly.

At her command, the boy straightened and delivered his apology with genuine sentiment.

"And what of you, Edwin?" she said. "What must you say to Frederick?"

Edwin gave a gracious bow. "I accept your apology."

"Excellent," she beamed as another child walked towards her carrying a tray of sweet biscuits.

They all watched as his quarry bit into one and swallowed the tiny piece, a host of wide eyes eagerly awaiting her reaction. Whatever she said, it received a joyous cheer from the excited faces.

In a state of utter bewilderment, Leo stepped back.

While he struggled to make sense of it all, he considered the second, most shocking thing. The sight of the golden-haired temptress had caused desire to explode through him like a firework at Vauxhall. The feelings were more powerful, more potent than anything he had ever felt before.

Bloody hell.

As he stepped forward to peer through the window, her gaze drifted to the closed shutters.

She knew he was standing there.

Obviously, she had set a trap, found a way to weaken his position. Devious minds use devious methods, he thought, as he chastised himself for being so fickle. The woman had no heart. Avenging his friends was the only thing that mattered. With a renewed sense of purpose, Leo drew his sword, pressed his back against the wall and waited to confront the golden-haired devil.