The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

A sharp, mocking voice dripped through the dins chamber like poison. "Well, well, what's the matter, sis! Not gonna eat? Come on, don't be shy

now."

Eliza Stonor lay sprawled across the cold stone floor, bloody and bruised, barely breathing from chains clinked softly as she shifted-every weak movement met with resistance.

They looped right around her neck and limbs, keeping her pinned like a caged beast,

Across from her stood Sophie Stonor, dressed in cheerful buster-yellow gown that felt almost obscene in the gloomy room.

She held a bowl of dog food, swaying it lightly in her hands, grinning as if she were teasing a pet instead of tormenting her own sister,

Sophie clicked her tongue in exaggerated disappointment, then turned to the maid behind her, “God, look at her. She can't even play dead right, let alone act like a proper mutt. And I'm feeding her myself-what more does she want?"

The maid didn't hesitate. She stepped forward and landed a vicious kick to Eliza's side. A choked grunt slipped from Eliza's lips.

Sucking up, the maid added with a sneer, "My lady, don't waste your time. This bitch probably still thinks she's the Duke's precious little princess Dreaming of silks and titles while lying in her own filth"

Sophie let out a cold bugh, the sound sharp enough to cut glass. "Eliza Stonor? Princess? Please. Even Father and the boys won't acknowledge her anymore. Being my dog is the best she'll ever be. She should be thanking me,

"But no.

She

e just doesn't know what's good for her

Sophie ground her heel into Eliza's land. A sickening crack echoed in the room, followed by a muffled whimper.

Sophie leaned down, voice low and deadly. "One last chance, Eliza. Hand over the pendant

Eliza's vision blurred, but a faint, bitter smile rugged at her lips. "Sophie... in your dreams."

That pendant was her mother's last gift her only tether to a love long gone. She'd die before letting Sophie lay a finger on it

"You stubborn bitch!" Sophie snapped, eyes blazing. "You really wanna die that hadn'

At that moment, the chamber door flew open with a thunderous slam. Several figures rushed in, their shadows slicing across the floor like blades.

Sophie spun around fast, panic flashing in her eyes. She shoved the bowl into the maid's arms, who quickly stashed it out of sight.

And just like that, Sophie's face morphed into a picture of innocence

She bounced forward, voice syrupy sweet. "Father! Brothers! What are you all doing here?"

The newcomers were none other than Gabriel Stonor, Duke of Mowbay of Bortenland, and his four sons.

broad, and commanding-carried the air of a man used to being

mold, were strikingly

tionL

a bit wicked, but the moment Sophie called out in that soft, sugary voice,

their expressions warming as they

Eliza's crumpled form before turning to Sophie. "So, Sophie-did she

It's minet Eliza wanted to scream, but her

she once had, had

sigh, ber

THE

glistened as she whispered, "Eliza. She knew how much that pendant meant to mr-it's the only thing I have left

know what

she just wouldn't give it

at the end, catching in her throat. Tears threatened to spill, and the weight of her pain fell

439 PM &

Chapter1

Sophie's voice hit him

he said sharply, fury barely contained beneath the surface. "I can't

doorway, the third eldest, Matthew Stonor,

slid free, "You've got some damn nerve. You

gonna talk, I'll start cutting. One hand for the first question. Still stubborn? Then the feet go next. You stole from Sophie-I wanna ser if your

tension, calm and authoritative. "Someone saw her. Right before she was dragged back, she panicked...

a moment-but it was enough. Her eyes

across the

with disbelief. "Are you insane! You'd

let out a dry, manic laugh. Her eyes gleamed with a dangerous

my future-and now she wants to take the last thing Mother left met Why shouldn't I

echoing in the small chamber like a screams. "You want

let it go... or cut me open and take

I shaken.

Faces turned grim. Even Anthony Stonor,

Stonor-their father. The Duke. The only

the stillness, soft but aching

saw it—a shift in Cabriel's expression,

just like that, she knew. She'd

closed his eyes, letting out a long, weary sigh.

anyone's to

born as my daughter again-"he paused, the words earching in his

let out a bitter laugh, her lips curling into a twisted smile, tears and blood mingling as they ran down

hissed, voice raw with pain and defiance. "If there's a next life...

glowing with a berce, radiant light, as if her final breath had sparked something eternal within it

warm breeze floated through the sprawling halls of the Duke of Moshay's estate, carrying with it the