Read Online The Reluctant Bride by Beverley Eikli - Free Book Online

region of her shoulder. ‘And this won’t always be where we live nor will this coarse woollen greatcoat be your only comfort. One day I will buy you silk and cashmere and you will know I love you and perhaps even be glad for it.’
    She did not answer and he sighed, preparing to let her be. Then reconsidered. He would not be deflected by her coldness. This was not the Emily he’d fallen in love with: the dazzling, joyful creature whose movements on the dance floor had held him captive as if she were a proud Spanish beauty performing her finest for her coterie of admirers.
    Insinuating his hand beneath the covers, he searched for her hand. This time she did not pull away.
    â€˜Silk and cashmere,’ she repeated in a murmur. He felt the splash of tears before they fell upon her wrist, though there was no trace of them in her voice. ‘Why would I deserve silk and cashmere when I’m lucky just to have a roof over my head?’
    It had gone quiet outside. It was just him and his wife.
    â€˜I suppose your father said that.’
    With her other hand, Emily reached out to touch a mark on the wall. ‘And that I am beyond redemption,’ she whispered. Another large tear oozed from the corner of her eye. Angus could see it in the dull light.
    He squeezed her hand. ‘No doubt your father deeply regrets what was said in a moment of anger.’ His own father was remote and distant to all his sons. The one he called father. Angus thought of the note his mother had written and knew he’d have to dispatch a reply shortly. He still wasn’t sure how he felt. Disconnected. Unaffected. He’d only met his real father twice. Had not known who he was until his mother had told him and then he’d been so consumed by anger he’d not spoken to her for a week.
    â€˜Papa never says anything he doesn’t mean.’ Emily sounded like a young child. Angus felt the bond between them grow. The only interest his real father had shown in him was when he’d bought him a commission in the prestigious Rifles. Angus had written to thank him but there’d been no contact since.
    â€˜Shall I send for your mother?’
    Emily gave a mirthless laugh. ‘Papa would never let her come.’ She moved restlessly. Sighed. Added listlessly, ‘Papa had such plans for me. I tried so hard to please him but I couldn’t marry the man he chose for me. I just couldn’t.’ She swallowed and her sorrow dissipated, her gaze suddenly luminescent. ‘Then he introduced Jack to me. Perhaps it was atonement … I don’t know.’ She shrugged. ‘I couldn’t believe he’d sanction such a match for Jack had no title or fortune.’ Her mouth curved at the memory though her eyelids grew heavy. ‘But it was love at first sight and for the first time for as long as I could remember, Papa seemed happy. As for me, all my dreams had come true.’
    He could see she was drifting. Her eyes fluttered shut and her voice was indistinct as she added, ‘Papa said I’d made an excellent choice.’
    Angus stretched out his legs as he stroked her brow. Let Emily reminisce about Jack, though when the child was born it would be raised to call Angus Papa and Jack would have faded from Emily’s mind.
    God, he hoped it would come to pass.
    Emily stroked her belly. Despite the fact it was an effort, she was clearly disposed to talk. About Jack. ‘Jack knew how to charm people. He told me that in France he lodged with a family called the Delons when he was doing his government work—’
    â€˜Government work?’
    Emily opened her eyes and clasped a hand to her mouth. ‘Did I say that? I swore I’d never—’
    â€˜Then I’ll ask you no more.’ Angus smiled as if the indiscretion meant nothing, but he was surprised. He knew Jack Noble for a womanising braggart. Not the kind usually recruited by the Foreign Office.
    â€˜Well,