Dark Angel (Casteel 2)

had used Jillian in his own thoughtless way, to

provide his younger brother with a mother and a sister

while he went his own merry way chasing every skirt in town, and all over Europe. Tears were in my eyes as I turned to embrace him before I returned to the big house. "I'm sorry to be so suspicious. I love you, love you, love you--and I'll be back as soon as I catch up

on some sleep. Don't go away, promise?"

He sat up, clinging to both of my hands. "Have

lunch with me, darling, about one."

I thought I could return to my bed and sleep the

sleep of the deeply justified, but I tossed and turned,

and finally ended up at the dining table downstairs

where Tony was already ensconced, eating one slice

of honeydew melon after another. He began to ply me

with questions immediately. Had I seen Troy? Had I

broken our engagement? What had been his reaction?

What had been my explanation? I had been kind,

considerate, caring, hadn't I?

"I said as little as possible about you." My

voice was cold, hostile. I hated him every bit as much

as I hated Pa. "Out of consideration for Troy, I

covered for you, though if Troy wasn't so sensitive, I

would have let him know exactly what kind of man

his beloved brother is, and was."

"What reason did you give him?"

"I gave him none. We are still engaged. I don't

know how to destroy him, Tony, I just can't do it!" "I can see you are building a tower of ha

te for

me. Maybe you are right to wait a few weeks before

you tell him you've found out you are still in love with

that young man of yours. Logan, isn't that his name?

Troy will get over you. I'll be here to support him. I'll

see to it that he recovers. And the best way to do that