Light to Valhalla Read Online Free Page A

A day ?   A week?   An hour? ” Regina ’s shrill voice drilled through his head, and he knew the real question lurking behind her words… had he been discharged from ser vice ?
    His gaze lifted , meeting her icy blue stare . For a moment Alex contemplated telli ng her the truth, she would discover it sooner or later—at which point she’d really have a scandal to bluster about— but i n the end he decided t o let her stew on the subject . A small , mischievous smirk quirked his lips . “The time frame is yet to be decided.”
    Her reaction was everything he could have hoped for . He at flushed her jaunty cheekbones, her hands clenched into claw-like fists and her lips pursed in a taut white line . The woman bore such resemblance to a witch he half expected the graying hair wrapped in a tight chignon to spring loose and stand straight on end . “ Why must you persist in pursuing this military career?  Your negligence to the family and your title is reprehensible . I should have put my foot down when your father sponsored funds for your commission years ago .”
    “Please, mother,” Alex scoffed . “ Nine years ago you could not have cared less if I joined the military . In fact I believe you were in favor of it . Thought I’d look dashing in uniform, yes? ”
    “Well, nine years ago you were not in line to inherit!”
    “ And who would have anticipated a fourth son to become heir? ” Alex crumbled, head sagging in his hands . Miserable memories assailed him . The day he’d arrived home from the continent to discover that all three of his elder brothers had met an untimely demise swam nauseatingly through his mind . Instantaneously life had changed . Alex had gone from the youngest son, free to quite literally wish his father to hell, and make his own way in life, to the next Marquis Coverstone , and responsible for all the title entailed.
    Alex ’s gaze drifted to the oversize family portrait hanging above the hearth . Four familiar sets of blue eyes gazed back at him . Memories, mostly bitter, lurked in every shadowed corner of the manse, right down to the ding in the left corner of his father’s wooden desk . Today, passing through the front door, he’d half expected three surly older brothers and a n overbearing father to greet him . Devastation plague d hi s soul . Good terms or bad , family was family, and he’d lost ev ery chance to prove himself in his own right or make amends .
    “It matters not what we anticipated. ” Regina snapped a manicured finger through the air . “The fact remains you are the marquis and you are responsible for all of the duties and stipulations as such . ”
    Irritation flared into full blown anger . “Mother—” Alex began to rise , a slew of arguments o n the tip of his tongue, but settled back i n his chair . Near ten years in the army had taught him to leash a famous temper and pick his battles . “I am well aware of my duties, and… you’re right . A bout everything . Now, would you be so kind as to allow me a few minutes to relax? It’ s been a long day, and I’ d like to get settled. ”
    Regina tilted her chin regally . “Very well . But don’t for a minute think I’m fool enough to believe you’ve conceded this argument. ” She swept to the door , tossing a last cool glare over her shoulder . “I will win , Alex . I always win. ”
    The door clicked shut . “Bloody hell. ” Alex slammed his fist s against the wooden desktop, the inkwell teetered and tipped onto its side . “Damn. ” Reflexively he snatched the crystal well off the desk , but it proved too late . Dark liquid trickled down his hand and oozed across the polished surface .
    What more could go wrong today?
    His homecoming reception had descended into total dysfunction even more quickly than he’d anticipated . No welcome home, son from his mother , and Charlotte …   By the powers h e could still see her standing in the study door , more beautiful even than his vision of her