Читать книгу Beloved Beast - Karyn Gerrard - Страница 8

From the Journal of Luke Madden, Lighthouse keeper

Trevose Head Lighthouse, Cornwall

September 18, 1932

A broken heart has prompted my entry today. I’ve lost my beloved wife, Glenna. Though our parting was inevitable, I did not expect to lose her from a hurricane’s storm surge. To have her literally torn from my arms is more than I can bear.

How cruel is fate? In 1895, I died in a carriage race. Beyond all comprehension and science, I was allowed to live again thanks to Reed Parker, Glenna’s cousin. For in my previous incarnation as Lucas Madden, Viscount Ravenswood, I lived for selfish means consisting of one debauched incident after another. Many were glad of my passing. My own father did not mourn me.

I was reborn, reanimated, the horrific result of an experiment that should not have been successful. I thrived. Though alive, I am not in the strictest sense of the word—human. I am something beyond. Deep within, I am no longer an egocentric being, though physically many consider me a monster. The true monster was Ravenswood, who perished and eventually became Luke Madden, a lighthouse keeper in Cornwall.

Glenna did not mind I outwardly carried the scars of my previous life. She loved me with the whole of her generous heart. We shared thirty-seven devoted years together, living a quiet, solitary life. I had hoped we would be granted at least twenty more, but as I stated, fate is cruel, for while Glenna aged, I did not.

Now I must continue on without her giving, warm nature and unconditional love to sustain me. I am leaving this light keeper life behind. Lucas Madden will cease to exist. As tempting as it may be to cloister myself away for however long a subsistence I must endure, I promised Glenna more than once I would not hide from life. Or love.

But I have had my happy ending. I’ve known passion, desire, and companionship. Deep down I understand I will never experience such again. For who else could love a beast?