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staring coldly.

    Hugh looked into the blue eyes of Mina’s brother. “You are lord here as you said, not Lady Theresa. What does your instinct tell you?” For several tense moments, Bernard stared hard at the table. Then finally, he raised his eyes to Hugh’s. “It tells me not to stand in your way.” Hugh let out a breath and found himself smiling at his little victory. “Then let us plan.”

    For the next few hours they huddled around the table, plotting the evil creature’s demise. When their plans had been finalized, Hugh leaned back to find Theresa standing in front of him and directly behind Mina.

    “You all have been very busy,” Theresa said and let her eyes roam over the men until they reached Bernard. “I would see you privately, brother.”

    “Not just now,” Bernard said and poured himself more ale. “We’re busy. Find me later.”

    Hugh looked at Mina in time to see her flinch and then his eyes found Theresa’s fingers digging into Mina’s shoulders. But Theresa seemed oblivious to her actions as her gaze shot daggers at Bernard.

    In the silence, Bernard looked up. “You’re still here, Theresa? Run along. This isn’t a place for a lady.”

    “Mina is here,” Theresa said.

    Bernard rose and opened the map of the castle on the table. “Yes, well, Mina isn’t exactly a lady.”

    Mina bit her lip and tasted the metallic tang of blood as Theresa’s fingernails dug agonizingly into her neck. Just as she was about to cry out, Theresa loosened her hold and flounced from the hall.

    With her eyes closed against the pain her sister had wrought, Mina thought over Bernard’s words. So, she wasn’t exactly a lady. His words shouldn’t upset her, but they did. More than usual.

    Mina opened her eyes to find Hugh staring at her. His dark gaze was always on her, and if she didn’t know how ugly she was, she would be flattered. In the end, she knew it was pity that brought his attention to her.

    “Are you all right?” he asked.

    She gave him what she hoped was a bright smile. “Never better.” To her surprise, the corners of his mouth tilted upwards. “You aren’t a very good liar.”

    “I know.” It never occurred to her to lie again, it just wasn’t in her nature.

    “Did I miss something?” Bernard asked as he looked up from the map.

    “Not at all,” Mina hurried to say. She leaned up at the same time as Hugh and their heads bumped together. She grabbed her head. “I’m sorry.” He rubbed his head and eyed her warily. “I beg your pardon. Ladies first,” he said.

    She laughed as she once more leaned forward, but the laughter died on her lips when she saw Bernard staring at her oddly.

    “Strange,” Bernard said.
    “What
    is?”

    “Have your eyes always been that unusual blue color?” Would her family never cease to embarrass her? “Aye.”

    “I never noticed,” he said softly.

    She wanted to ask him just what he had thought the color of her eyes were all these years, but Cole had pointed to something on the map that took Bernard’s attention.

    It was just as well, she thought. He would probably say something harsh to hurt her again.

    Hugh watched brother and sister and noted the differences. Bernard and Theresa’s eyes were blue, whereas Mina’s were bluish-green. Bernard and Theresa had blonde hair and Mina had strawberry-blonde.

    Could it be that Theresa and Bernard treated Mina differently because she had a different father or mother? He suspected that was the case and Mina just didn’t know it.

----

    Mina smoothed down the tight fitting bodice of her pale green gown and ran her hand along the floral patterned wide trailing sleeves. She wrapped the braided belt around her waist and hips and tied it so that it hung down her front and the tassels at the ends brushed against the floral pattern on the hem of the gown.

    She looked into the mirror and was rather pleased with what she saw. The gown had belonged to Theresa, who hadn’t liked the