Claimed By Chaos Read Online Free Page B

4
     
    “Is everything alright?” Elise asked softly as Gilles shut the door. Ethan had fallen asleep while nursing.
    “Just a moment.” Gilles whispered as he slowly removed his shirt and trousers and slipped on his robe before padding around the bed. He brushed Elise’s shoulder and kissed her hair as he bent down to take Ethan from her. He carried him into the adjoining bed chamber and placed him in his crib. It was converted into a nursery so that Ethan would be closer for Elise. It was an unusual arrangement but Gilles liked having his infant son close. He shut the door silently and returned to the bed, tossing his robe on a chair as he slipped beneath the covers.
    “Something’s happened.” Elise said as she reached for Gilles. He sighed as he settled over her. His emotions were still turbulent but when he stared down and Elise in the soft light, he felt everything within him calm.
    “I hardly know how to make sense of what Alastair told me, let alone explain it all.” He rested his forehead against hers and breathed her in. “The person that I lost in France… It was a young lady and somehow, she survived and she's here, in London.”
    “Oh, my God!” Elise understood better than anyone how the loss had effected him. “No wonder you seem so… anxious.”
    “I don't know how she survived. I have so many questions and so much that I want to say to her. She wouldn't have come to London if it wasn't important. Whatever it is, I have to help her. I can’t count how many times she's saved my life and I promised that I’d protect her.” Gilles let his hands glide along her silken flesh, molding her to him, savoring the feel of her body beneath his. He’d already planned to be away for a week. Now, he wasn't sure how long they would be apart.
    “If she saved your life, she has my gratitude. We’ll help her in any way we can.” Elise’s hands caressed his shoulders and back, soothing him. Gilles grimaced as he considered his next revelation. Spencer Place was about to turn into a circus, he was worried that it would be uncomfortable for her. But he knew she was strong and would cope well. “What’s wrong?”
    “It's complicated. She’s at Grillon's, she can't stay there. And we have to get her out of London until we sort everything out.” Gilles gathered a handful of her hair, lifted it to his face and inhaled. He was going to miss her so much.
    “More complicated than her being shot and disappearing for almost two years? I don't sense that there was anything intimate or romantic between the two of you.” She said as she brushed her fingers through his hair. Gilles moaned in delight as he shook his head.
    “I love her like a sister, her father was my mentor and it almost destroyed me when I thought I'd lost her.” He rose on his elbows and looked down at Elise. “It's complicated because both of her parents were Capetians, her names is Lady Giselle St. Claire. The ton is going to be in a frenzy when it gets out that she's in London. I'm sending Alastair in the morning to tell her to move her belongings here. I was confident that you would understand. After, the two of them are going to follow me to Winthorpe. I don't know how long we’ll be gone but I'm hoping we’ll return in a week.” He brushed his lips against her cheek and was sliding towards hers when she dodged him.
    “The Double Capet is going to stay at Spencer Place?” She was incredulous. Gilles couldn't help but laugh.
    “How is it that you know about her but Alastair didn’t?”
    “You can't be serious!” She gasped.
    “Very. She handed him her card and he assumed she was just a lovely, highborn lady.”
    “Lovely? We may have to go to Fortress Spencer to keep the suitors out.” She teased.
    “Actually, Alastair described her as exquisite.” Gilles laughed at Elise’s expression. Stunned was inadequate.
    “Do you think he fancies her?” She whispered excitedly.
    “He says he wants to marry her.” He barely