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.

Duke-all, broad, and commanding-carried the air of a man used

mold, were strikingly handsome and

tionL

called out in

warming as they looked at

the second eldest, barely glanced at Eliza's crumpled form before turning to Sophie. "So, Sophie-did she give it back

I didn't steal it It's minet

like everything else she once

sigh, ber voler soft but

THE

that pendant meant to mr-it's

know what

but she just wouldn't give

at the end, catching in her throat. Tears threatened to spill,

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Chapter1

sorrow in Sophie's voice hit him

contained beneath the surface. "I can't even begin to describe how disappointed Lam in

Matthew Stonor, narrowed

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

not gonna talk, I'll start cutting. One hand for the first question. Still stubborn? Then the feet go

Benedict Stonor's voice cut clean through the tension, calm and authoritative. "Someone saw her. Right before she was dragged

A flicker of fear crossed her face, just for a moment-but it was enough. Her eyes darted to

dawned across the brothers'

insane! You'd rather swallow the pendant

with a dangerous light, "Vest I am insane! What

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

echoing in the small chamber like

it go... or cut me open and take

I shaken.

Stonor, the fourth brother, usually cold as marble,

turned to face one man. Gabriel Stonor-their father. The Duke. The only one who could decide what came

the stillness, soft but aching "Father... I miss

moment, Eliza saw it—a shift in Cabriel's

that,

a long, weary sigh. "Eliza... don't

If anyone's to blame, it's

you're born as my daughter again-"he paused, the

into a twisted

voice raw with pain and defiance. "If there's a

glowing with a berce, radiant light, as

of the Duke of Moshay's estate, carrying with it