Chapter Twenty-Four
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
When they arrived, Scarlett stood on the dock and stared up at House Heroux. It looked as familiar and grand as it always had, but before, it had simply been home. Now it was where she’d been trapped and sedated. It was the home where her father had lived, but he’d never see it again.
Brayden stepped off the boat behind her, and his hand slid into hers.
The front door opened ahead of them, snapping Scarlett out of her reverie. Laylani appeared. She wore a golden sheath dress, and her brown hair was in perfectly coiled curls.
“Such a pretty face for one with such a black heart.”
It was the angriest tone Scarlett had heard from her light.
She probably drinks virgin blood to stay young, thought Scarlett.
The internal conversation quieted as they approached her stepmother.
Scarlett had anticipated seeing Laylani, but she still struggled to keep a blank face as she looked at the woman who’d killed her mother and tried to kill her and her grandmother.
She squeezed Brayden’s hand as venom bubbled in her stomach.
It was sorely tempting to kick off their reunion by pushing Laylani into the canal, but if she began like that, she’d lose what little element of surprise she had.
Beni locked gazes with Scarlett and then Brayden before walking down the dock.
She and Brayden trailed behind him. He tried to pass his mother and go straight for the door, but Laylani pulled him back from the threshold and grasped him in her arms. Beni accepted the hug, putting one hand lightly on his mother’s back, but his theatrical look of disgust was hidden from her.
Scarlett had been full of hate only a second before, but at witnessing this, it took all she had not to burst into laughter.
“Beaufort, I’ve missed you,” said Laylani as she released him.
Scarlett’s palms grew damp as Laylani embraced Beni again. She sounded sincere, but it was also such a de minimis reaction after an unplanned trip abroad. She wished—not for the first time—Beni was her full-blooded brother.
“Thanks,” said Beni, his voice flat. He stepped around her and headed into the house.
Laylani watched him walk away, pursing her lips as she studied her son. Once he was out of sight, she turned to Scarlett and Brayden, her mask solidifying into a bland smile.
“Hello, Scarlett. I must say, I was disturbed by your dramatic nighttime exodus. Are you well?”
As if she cares. “I’m fine. Apologies for the abrupt departure, but we were concerned for my grandmother.
She’s recovered, but she’s remained in Clair de Lune for personal reasons.
” None of the rage Scarlett held for this woman came out as she spoke, and she was proud of how level her voice sounded.
Laylani smirked as she scanned Scarlett from head to toe, eyeing the comfortable T-shirt and skirt she’d chosen to wear on the train. “Fair enough. I’m relieved you’re all right.” Her attention shifted to Brayden. “And who is this?”
“This is Brayden Maddox.” Scarlett squeezed his hand, still entwined with hers. His solid presence next to her was comforting in the face of her greatest enemy.
“But who is he? And what’s he doing here?”
“He’s a family friend.”
Laylani rolled her eyes. “Then how have I never met him before?”
“He’s from Clair de Lune.” It was her turn to wear a smug smile as Laylani stared at them for a beat.
As she hesitated, Scarlett guessed she was trying to assess how much of a fake front she needed to put up for him.
“I’m Scarlett’s stepmother, Laylani.” Her fingers splayed across her chest. She didn’t extend a hand for him to shake.
“I know who you are,” said Brayden, his voice calm and devoid of any warmth.
“Will you be joining us for dinner, Brayden, or are you just here to help with their bags?” Laylani smiled faintly, her eyes flicking to their clasped hands.
Scarlett saw red. It was so tempting to push Laylani in the canal. For her mother, her father, her brother, and herself. But revenge would have to wait. She took a deep breath.
Brayden snorted softly. “All of the above. I’ll carry Scarlett’s bag anytime she likes.” He winked at Scarlett.
His flirting loosened the knot in her chest. “So chivalrous,” she said with a sultry stare.
“Excuse me?” Laylani’s tone was incredulous. “What exactly is the nature of this? Some sort of rebound fling?” Her eyebrows rose as if she were genuinely surprised, though her cold smile said otherwise.
“Quite the opposite of a rebound. He’s moving in. We got married.” Scarlett held up her ring finger, and the diamond glinted in the sun. Her lips curved up in a satisfied smile as Laylani’s mouth fell open and she assessed Brayden with fresh eyes.
She scoffed as she recovered from the shock. “Married? Goodness me. You didn’t waste any time, Scarlett. Poor Alastair won’t know what hit him. But where are my manners? Welcome to the family, Brayden. Please, come in.” Her thin-lipped smile was icy.
“Thanks.” Brayden’s tone was quietly sarcastic, making Scarlett smile.
“Who is she to welcome anyone to your family?” said Nori.
Agreed, thought Scarlett as Laylani strode through the open front door. “I hate that she has my last name,” she muttered.
Brayden raised his eyebrow at her. “You could use mine.” He stooped to pick up their bags. “If you want to.”
The comment gave her butterflies. It was tempting, even if it was unheard of for a head of house in Soleil to take another name.
“Scarlett Maddox has a nice ring to it,” she agreed as she led him into the foyer.
The sunlight streaming through the doorway dimmed as Brayden’s form filled the entrance, and the familiar smell of lemon polish and fresh-cut flowers washed over her.
Laylani stood in the foyer waiting for them like she was trying to emphasize that she was their hostess in Scarlett’s own home. Scarlett couldn’t wait until she’d evicted this evil, murdering witch.
“I’m taking Brayden upstairs to get settled in,” she announced before Laylani could say anything.
Laylani’s empty smile grew larger. “Of course. Perhaps tomorrow we could all go out for dinner and catch up?”
Scarlett didn’t want to eat dinner with Laylani, but maybe her stepmother would get into the wine and say too much. Parliament wasn’t in session until the day after next, so she had the time.
“All right,” she said after a few seconds. Let the games begin.
“Brayden, do you have something nicer to wear, or should I send Charles out to buy some clothes for you?” Laylani asked.
Scarlett narrowed her eyes. This bitch doesn’t quit.
Brayden remained unfazed. “I’m all set, thanks. I’m sure Scarlett will make sure I’m dressed appropriately—won’t you, sweetheart?”
He was so good at managing Laylani.
Her face lit up. “Of course.” Scarlett would love to pick his clothes out every day for the rest of his life, if he’d let her.
Her eyes raked over him. Even in his rumpled travel clothes, all it took to rile her up was a long glance at his muscular body.
Goddess, he looked good in everything he wore.
“Excellent. I’ll ring The Twig and Vine. Let’s plan for dinner at seven tomorrow evening.” Laylani’s high heels sounded like hammers on the marble floor as she walked away.
Beni emerged from the hallway that led to his old room carrying his computer and a pile of clothes in his laundry basket. “I’m moving into Manon’s room.”
“Good idea,” said Scarlett, relieved to hear he’d be closer to her. She and Brayden followed him up the marble staircase.
Upstairs, she led Brayden into her bedroom. The bed was made, and the IV stand and other hospital equipment were gone. She let out a sigh and wrung her hands, unsure of what to do now that she was home.
Brayden set their bags down and studied the art in her room with interest. Elaborate hand-painted wallpaper decorated the walls, and a fresco of a dawn sky, complete with frolicking angels, covered her ceiling.
He stopped near one of her walls to study a detailed peacock roosting among a cluster of brilliantly blooming flowers, which had always been one of her favorite bits of art in this room.
“This house is something else,” he said.
“Do you like it?” she asked, eager to know his thoughts.
She’d always loved her family home. It was filled with ancient art kept in timeless perfection.
The ceilings were covered in either frescoes or crown molding.
There were tapestries and oil paintings on almost every wall.
Brayden lived in a working castle, so it wasn’t like he was used to a snug family home like Manon’s tree house, but would he think this was like living in a museum?
His room, while spacious, had been much cozier than hers.
To her surprise, the mental comparison made her like her own room just a little less.
“I can’t believe this is your room,” he said. “Is the whole house like this?”
“Some of the best frescoes are in here, but yes. The whole house is pretty elaborate.” She held out her hands, wanting to touch him.
Brayden crossed the space between them in two steps. She wrapped her arms around his waist as he looked down at her. “How are you?” he asked. “After seeing her again.”
Scarlett’s face fell as she let some of the emotions she’d been battening down below the surface rise.
“It took everything I had to remain calm down there. She ruined my life when I was a child, and for what? Did she even love my dad in the end? It’s harder than I imagined, being here again.
” Her voice broke. “I’m glad you’re with me.
I know it’s not convenient for you and the whole visit might be awful.
” She rubbed her eyes, sniffing. “But I’m so glad you’re here.
I’d be struggling more if it were just Beni and me. ” Scarlett leaned into his touch.
As she pressed her face into his chest, his grip tightened around her.
“I’m really glad I’m here too. And Scar?”
She pulled back to look at him. He seemed conflicted. “Yes?”