Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 127461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 510(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 510(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
A small tremor went through Maya’s body as they walked into the enormous great room of his cousin’s massive estate. The stone fireplace was gorgeous, and a curved staircase wound around the room up to the next level. The floors were gleaming hardwood, with a starburst pattern ingrained deep in the polished wood. The hardwood floor extended into the sitting room, a much smaller and cozier version of the great room.
They could hear the sound of children laughing and the soft murmur of adults speaking together. Then Fyodor’s large frame was filling the doorway, his eyes lighting up when he caught sight of Gorya, a rare occurrence for him unless he was home with his family. Then his gaze found Maya and he stilled. He glanced behind him as Evangeline came to greet them.
“Gorya, we’re so happy you’ve come home. And you’ve brought your mate with you.” Evangeline sounded sweet and welcoming the way she always did. She stepped forward, immediately going straight to Maya and reaching to catch Maya’s hands in hers. “We’re so happy he found you, Maya. Ashe told me she’s never seen him so happy.”
Maya took her hands without a single sign of reluctance, but Gorya felt it. She’d never liked anyone to touch her, male or female, although most people found Evangeline to be soothing.
“Thank you,” Maya replied simply.
“I hope you’re hungry. We have breakfast ready. Gorya said you were arriving early and would only have a short period of time before you had to leave. Everyone has come to meet you. Gorya”—Evangeline leaned into him to kiss both cheeks—“the children can’t wait to see you. They’ve gone a little wild on us. I told Fyodor not to tell them ahead of time, but he couldn’t resist.”
Gorya was very aware of Fyodor’s frown of disapproval as he stared at Maya in disbelief. Mitya and Sevastyan, his other cousins, didn’t hide their shock at Maya’s appearance either.
Timur didn’t warn them about you. He poured amusement into his voice and took her hand, pulling her protectively under his shoulder as if she would need it from his big bad cousins. They’re buying right into your girl-next-door act.
More likely they think you’ve robbed the cradle just like everyone else.
That, and they really think you’re an innocent lamb, too innocent to be with the likes of this family. Although Fyodor can’t be saying much.
“A word with you, Gorya,” Mitya said. “Fyodor and I have business to discuss before we go in.”
Evangeline looked horrified. “This is a celebration, Mitya. We agreed. A party. Fyodor, you promised me. Mitya, you gave your word to Ania that all of you would behave at least through breakfast so the family would have the time to give Maya a proper welcome.”
Gorya did his best not to laugh. That was Evangeline. She might be sweet, but she could stand up to Fyodor when no one else could or would dare to.
“Timur set them up to make fools of themselves,” Gorya said. “It’s a brotherly cousin thing. They were just going to give me advice on how best to take care of my fiancée. She’s young, and they worry she might have a problem with the life. I’ve explained the difficulties to her. She’s gone into our relationship with her eyes open.”
“She can actually talk for herself,” Maya said.
That startled his cousins and made Evangeline laugh. “Good for you, Maya. Never let these men push you around.”
They went into the dining room to find it filled with family. His family. To his astonishment, Gorya found himself inexplicably happy to see everyone there. His cousins were married with wives they loved. Fyodor and Evangeline had twin boys. Fyodor was so proud of them he could barely stand himself. He made a good father. He was firm but surprisingly gentle, not raising his voice to them when they were rough little things, tumbling all over the floor the way kittens often did.
The two boys made everyone laugh with their antics, even Maya, and she was tense throughout the breakfast. Mitya and Fyodor asked her several pointed questions. Before Gorya could direct the subject away from Maya, Ashe or Timur did. Sometimes Evangeline did, as if she could sense that Maya was uneasy with so many people around her. Sevastyan watched her closely, but he was quiet—mostly, Gorya was certain, because his wife, Flambe, would look up at him with a small shake of her head if he started to ask Maya anything. Gorya liked that the women were so protective.
It was a good morning spent with his family. Maya began to relax a little after breakfast and they moved into the great room, where the twins showed off their tumbling skills and used Sevastyan and Timur for a jungle gym. Gorya caught Maya giggling a few times as she watched the little ones scrambling over the intimidating men.