Read Online Bound to Be a Groom by Megan Mulry - Free Book Online Page B

matrimony had put a complete halt to any private assignations until the blessed event came to pass. The elderly nun with whom she’d traveled had recovered fully from her weariness, and since the day her betrothal was announced, Anna had either been with Isabella or with the old shrew of a chaperone nearly attached to her elbow.
    As a result, the physical heat and wonder of Sebastian’s body had gradually been replaced by something more subtle, and perhaps more dangerous. Anna furrowed her brow at the realization. “I don’t know much of love, really. I believe he will be a good husband, and that is more than I ever dared hope for.”
    “Why have you always tempered your dreams so?”
    “What a strange thing to say, Isabella.”
    “Don’t evade.”
    “Very well. I was not, as you say, tempering my dreams. You and I have had these differences for the many years of our friendship. I was not born to this way of life.” She looked toward the splendid alcázar , with its extensive manicured gardens and buzzing apiary in the distance. “Even the bees enjoy luxurious accommodations here.”
    “You always say that this world is foreign to you,” Isabella replied impatiently, “but deep down, your blood is as blue as mine.”
    “You are a terrible snob, Isabella.” When she reddened at the small insult, Anna quickly added, “I didn’t mean it as a cut.”
    Isabella pursed her lips.
    “Oh, well, perhaps I did,” Anna admitted. “A bit. But I only meant that your view of the world is so fixed. How could it be any other way? Your path has been set since you were born in that palace. There was no point in my dreaming of this sort of life.”
    “There is always a point in dreaming.” Isabella spoke softly, looking back to admire her magnificent husband. “What if I had never pursued my dream of escape? I would have never met Javi.”
    Anna considered her logic. “Perhaps I will grow to love Sebastian the way you love Javi. You did not love him right away, did you?”
    Isabella blushed. “No. In fact, I found him rather impossible. It would have made much more sense for me to fall in love with someone more appropriate like . . . well, like Sebastian.”
    Anna was unable to repress a small chuckle at how inappropriate Sebastian could be.
    Isabella smiled in return. “What is funny?”
    “Nothing,” Anna said. “Pray continue. Why would Sebastian have been a more appropriate match?”
    “Because he is from a good family, obviously, and he’s so much more amenable than Javi, and quite handsome as well, don’t you think?” Isabella asked.
    “I suppose . . .” Anna felt the skin at the back of her neck tingle when she thought of Sebastian’s amenability . He happened to turn his horse and smile at her at just that moment; Anna marveled at how he was so open, so unafraid of showing his affection. The horse pulled in the other direction and the connection was lost.
    “See? Even that!” Isabella chuckled. “He is certainly not the type of man one considers comme ci , comme ça . Sebastian is unquestionably handsome, yet you remain ambivalent. So. Are you still in love with Pia?”
    Anna gasped, and a rush of hot embarrassment crept up her neck. “Isabella!” She had never suspected Isabella knew her secret, and she certainly didn’t think she would treat it so lightly if she ever found out.
    “What? You thought I didn’t know?” She looked hard into Anna’s eyes. “How stupid you must think me.” Isabella looked back at the ring as the two men went galloping past. Isabella gave them a smile and a small wave. “Wave, Anna,” she muttered between her teeth without letting her smile slip. Anna did as she was bid—waving briefly then returning her grip to the bamboo handle of her parasol—and hoped the interrogation about her life with Pia would be lost on the breeze along with the dust that the horses had kicked up.
    She should have known better.
    After the two caballeros had finished showing off,