Page 14 of Moon Craving

He smiled. He actually smiled. "Then read my lips."

She nodded grudgingly, barely moving her head up and down once.

"At first, I thought your mother's idea mad, but then we got the first letter from

Emily."

Abigail sucked in a betrayed breath. So, her mother had planned this as soon as

the rumors had reached them that Emily had wed not the Sinclair, but the Balmoral laird?

She had long suspected Sybil wanted to send Abigail, rather than Emily--the

stepdaughter she relied on to help her run the keep--in response to the king's initial

marriage edict.

Only Emily had refused to confirm Abigail's fears. She had even acted excited

about the prospect of going north. She had promised to send for Abigail as soon as she

could.

Now Abigail knew for certain that it had not been Sybil's choice to send Emily. She

did not know how her stepsister had managed, but Abigail was certain Emily had

arranged to be sent in order to protect her from the very outcome she now faced.

"Emily . . ." It was the only word she could get out.

Chapter 2

Sir Reuben sighed. "Your mother never intended to allow you to go to Emily. She

saw that solution as too tenuous."

"She hates me," Abigail whispered, the words burning like acid in her throat and

heart.

"Sybil is a perfectionist. She put great store in your looks and the probability you

would make a good match and advance her aspirations. The fever that took your hearing

stole her dreams as well."

Abigail glared, trying to move back from her stepfather, causing pain enough to

make her wish she had stayed still.

His shoulders sagged and an expression of deep sadness lurked in his usually

commanding eyes. "Her behavior was not justified, but none of us are perfect. We often

hurt those we love the most when our disappointment is too great to overcome."

Emily had told Abigail a story of when she was little, before her father and Sybil had