Page 15 of Hush Darling

The sprawling coast of the islands boasted impenetrable wilderness. The Isles of Kassel split into a peninsula of scattered private properties. One could only reach the islands by sea or aircraft, but the territory was tightly protected, and outsiders only caught glimpses by satellite.

Peter stepped forward. “You’re intrigued.”

She met his stare. Who wouldn’t be? “Are you really friends with the Grimms?”

“I know Jay more than Will.” He shrugged. “They like to live an elusive life. I wouldn’t say they have friends, just people of interest.”

The Grimm brothers were two of the most powerful, calculating men alive, rumored to have done some twisted things on their private Isles. But they were so elusive they were never caught or found guilty of any crimes. They were untouchable.

Politicians needed their money. Wealthy men wanted their connections. Fortune-hungry women would sell their souls for their company. And women like herself knew better than to ever involve themselves with such formidable men.

Was Peter one of them? Had she underestimated his wealth and position? The Pangbournes were notably affluent, but she never assumed they might reach the degree of the families associated with the Isles of Kassel.

“What do you say, Wendy? Do you want an adventure?”

“You can’t be serious,” she said, calling his bluff.

“You don’t believe me,” he said with a snide little snicker.

She crossed her arms and dared him to prove her wrong. “I guess I don’t.”

“Lucky for you, I love a challenge.” He caught her hand and tugged her forward, then stopped. “Wait a sec.” He rubbed his jaw. “I’m not sure you’re up for such an extreme journey. Kassel’s not for the meek.”

She scowled. “I’m far from meek.”

“I should hope not! I’d hate to get you there and then have you start complaining that you want to go home.”

“I wouldn’t?—”

“I think you would. You seem like a bit of a powder puff.”

She stiffened. “I’ll have you know, my life is a long list of risks and gambles I’ve yet to take! Just because I haven’t been to many places doesn’t mean I won’t eventually see everything there is to see.”

“As a wife?” He looked doubtful.

“I’m not married yet.”

“But you will be soon. Your father’s making sure of it.”

What the hell was her father saying to people? “My father doesn’t control me.”

Laughter burst past his lips. “Then why have you lived such a sheltered life, Ms. Darling?”

She lifted her chin. “Just because the men in my life severely underestimate me does not mean I’m some helpless waif!”

“How do they underestimate you?”

“In every way possible! They think I’m weaker, too sensitive, too fragile. They can’t conceive that I might have dreams outside of marrying a future bureaucrat!”

“Do you?”

“Of course I do! My father doesn’t know the real me.”

“And who might that be?”

At that moment, she realized he’d baited her. He found a nerve and struck the chord hard enough to get a real reaction, which left her feeling vulnerable and exposed more than anything else.

“I…I don’t know.” Peter was not a safe person to confess her doubts to. “I only know I’m meant for more than child-bearing domesticity.”