Chapter 17
The sound of shrill, raised voices was a very unpleasant way to awaken. Nick often heard his sisters bickering, but never at such volume. Sunlight was peeking around the heavy drapes and he knew he’d probably slept through breakfast again. With a sigh, Nick buried his head under his pillow. His limbs were heavy and he wanted to drowse a while longer, to enjoy how satiated his body felt. Just as his eyes were drifting shut, he heard footsteps run past his door, accompanied by sobs.
That he could not ignore. He tossed back the bed sheets and put on his house shoes. He’d barely finished fastening his dressing robe when there came a rapid knock at his chamber door. “Nicky?”
Lucy. She rarely cried. What could have brought her to tears? But when he opened the door, he found his you
