A Second Chance for Murder Read Online Free Page B

wondered if it had indeed been the wiser choice. While he trailed Nyle down a long hallway, he almost expected Nyle’s younger sister to pop out of a doorway at any moment to give them a start. Those were good days, days he fondly cherished. As they stood before the door of the library, Nyle was about to reach for the handle when a noise emanated from the other side. Recognizing the sound, Garren pushed Nyle aside and charged into the room.
    At the sight of a giant of a man bursting into the library, the young women shrieked. Cecilia and Floris clung to each other, their eyes wide and fearful. Lauryn threw herself behind the chesterfield, while Thora armed herself by taking hold of a heavy, silver candlestick from one of the side tables.
    Alert and ready to combat danger, Garren’s gaze swept the room. Seeing that the occupants of the room were in no form of distress, his tensed, muscular frame relaxed. Nyle quickly circled in front him, making his presence known, but before he could speak, panicked voices rose from the hallway as servants and guests, after hearing the girls’ screams, raced to the library. Placing himself in the portal of the room, he held up his hands to gesture them to stop. Thinking swiftly, he explained, “No need for alarm. One of the ladies thought she saw a mouse.”
    With relieved sighs and a few snickers, the group dispersed.
    Returning inside and shutting the door behind him, Nyle tightly pinched his lips together as if holding back a torrid rebuke and gave Thora a hard stare.
    Seeing Lord Somerville, Cecilia unwrapped herself from Floris who, with an amazed look at Thora, whispered, “I never dreamed it would work so well!”
    “Just what is this all about?” Nyle asked sternly, his arms folded over his chest, waiting for his sister to answer.
    Wanting to capture Nyle’s attention, Cecilia quickly jumped in front of him with the answer. “Your sister was showing us how to use the gift she gave us, Lord Somerville,” she said, reaching out to reveal a strange-looking object sitting in the palm of her hand.
    “May I?” Nyle asked politely before taking the wooden object from her hand.
    With the tilt of her head and a seductive smile Cecilia cooed, “Of course, my lord.”
    Nyle swiftly took a step backward from the all-too-near Cecilia, and studied the item in his hand before gruffly asking, “What in God’s name is it?”
    Before Thora could answer, the unknown guest replied, “A police rattle. Living in London, I’m well acquainted with its sound. My apologies for frightening all of you, but hearing the alarm I thought someone was in urgent need of help.” His dark eyes brushed over each woman before finally settling on Thora, who was still holding the candlestick in a threatening fashion. “That candlestick must be getting heavy. Might I suggest putting it down? I can assure you, you’re quite safe,” he said, stretching his lips to give her a dazzling smile that softened his strong, manly features and suddenly put butterflies in her stomach.
    Thora slowly set down her makeshift weapon without taking her eyes off the stranger. There was something oddly familiar about him. Having watched him alight from his carriage, Thora knew he was tall, but with him standing next to her, she saw how he towered over everyone, including Nyle, who by no means was a short man.
    Nyle cleared his throat to regain everyone’s attention. “Ladies, I’d like to introduce you to an old school chum of mine, Garren, Lord Huntscliff, who I’ve finally persuaded to leave London for a long overdue visit.” He then introduced Garren to each young woman.
    Cecilia Boothwell nodded her welcome but never took her eyes off Nyle. Floris Langless gave a squeak of a greeting, lifting her fan to shield her blushing face, while Lauryn Mayfield demurely acknowledged him with a warm smile. Lastly Nyle presented his sister. “And the one who was ready to bash your head in is my sister, Thora. You remember my