Seeing her like this reminded Daniel of the pensive, wistful Lisle who he extracted from Brauer’s estate months before. Her inward journeys might have been a soothing balm for her, and even necessary for her fragile state of mind. But after months in his house, she was no longer that woman, no longer so firmly entrenched in inner life. He’d ceased to think of her as fragile after seeing the strength of spirit she often displayed—in spite of its quirky manifestations. Annoyed with her now, he strode forward, slapped her face and brought her back to life.
“Be here now!” he snapped. He clutched her chin and stared into her eyes, seeing if he could find anything there that would alter his plans.
Her dreamy reverie quickly vanished with the slap to her cheek, and all he could grasp from her c
