Read Online Druid Temptation (A Druid Quest Novel Book 2) by Stacey Brutger - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Stacey Brutger
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married a gently bred woman once, and she made our lives a living hell. She dragged us through the rumor mills just for spite. I won’t put my daughter through that again. It would be different with you. We would be doing each other a favor.”
Diana narrowed her eyes, suspicious of his good cheer, determined to figure out his angle. “How?”
“I need an heir. I will solve your problem, and you would solve mine. I won’t be hunted by young ladies and their predatory mothers set on marrying someone rich and titled. There might be some talk, but no one would be surprised by my action. We get along well. We would have an understanding. No expectations.”
Diana held her breath. His offer was ridiculous, and stupidly dangerous, but it also offered everything she’d ever wanted. She’d given up hope of falling in love, but maybe she could still have a family.
He misunderstood her silence. “Of course, we won’t consummate the vows until things are settled and you’re ready. We don’t need the added complication until we’ve eliminated the threat. It would only be a distraction.”
He seemed so very practical talking about something so intimate…and she might have believed it didn’ matter to him if she hadn’t noticed the light flush to his cheekbones.
It stunned her to discover the attraction between them was very mutual.
Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of touching him intimately. Much to her surprise, she was acutely disappointed that he wanted to wait. She couldn’t help wonder if he didn’t find her attractive enough…or worse, if he was still in love with his first wife.
Then logic took over.
Without consummation, he had a way to later set her aside.
She pushed away those disturbing thoughts and bit her lip. If she were going to seriously consider marriage, she refused to begin their relationship with a lie.
Her stomach churned with dread.
She must confess the truth.
The thought nearly caused her to hyperventilate, the pressure on her chest suffocating as her lungs struggled for air.
It took every ounce of her courage to push aside the instincts screaming at her to remain silent. With numb lips, she struggled to form words. “I am not a witch.”
“I know that.” Gabriel laughed, his eyes warm as he watched her expectantly. To her shock, he actually seemed to be enjoying himself.
Diana continued as if he hadn’t spoken. It actually hurt to force out the words. “But I am a Druid. Whatever runs in my blood will be passed on to any child or children I may have.”
Instead of showing fear, his expression became contemplative. “Does insanity or physical defects run in your family? Anything someone could use to undermine our marriage?”
Diana’s stomach lurched at his practical answer…and his continued determination to marry her. It left her both leery and giddy. “Of course not, but I don’t think you understand—”
“Then there is no problem.”
“You’re not listening. I’ve gave my solemn vow to protect people. I am a Druid, and my blood will be passed down to any children we may have.”
“I couldn’t ask for a greater gift.”
Her stomach fluttered at his softly spoken words, and the rest of her protest evaporated.
He truly believed in her innocence.
He honestly didn’t care one whit about her past, or her Druid blood.
“We can discuss this more later. Right now, the sooner we marry, the sooner I can protect you. I’ll arrange for a special license and organize the travel preparations for London. While I am out, I want your word you’ll stay and protect Emilie while I’m gone.”
Before Diana could gather her scattered wits, he left. Shame churned in her gut that she hadn’t protested more.
That she hadn’t told him the whole truth.
He was a good man.
He deserved more than the trouble he was inviting into his life.
She hadn’t even mentioned her past—the real reason she was on the run.
For hundreds of years, Druids had been hunted and
Diana narrowed her eyes, suspicious of his good cheer, determined to figure out his angle. “How?”
“I need an heir. I will solve your problem, and you would solve mine. I won’t be hunted by young ladies and their predatory mothers set on marrying someone rich and titled. There might be some talk, but no one would be surprised by my action. We get along well. We would have an understanding. No expectations.”
Diana held her breath. His offer was ridiculous, and stupidly dangerous, but it also offered everything she’d ever wanted. She’d given up hope of falling in love, but maybe she could still have a family.
He misunderstood her silence. “Of course, we won’t consummate the vows until things are settled and you’re ready. We don’t need the added complication until we’ve eliminated the threat. It would only be a distraction.”
He seemed so very practical talking about something so intimate…and she might have believed it didn’ matter to him if she hadn’t noticed the light flush to his cheekbones.
It stunned her to discover the attraction between them was very mutual.
Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of touching him intimately. Much to her surprise, she was acutely disappointed that he wanted to wait. She couldn’t help wonder if he didn’t find her attractive enough…or worse, if he was still in love with his first wife.
Then logic took over.
Without consummation, he had a way to later set her aside.
She pushed away those disturbing thoughts and bit her lip. If she were going to seriously consider marriage, she refused to begin their relationship with a lie.
Her stomach churned with dread.
She must confess the truth.
The thought nearly caused her to hyperventilate, the pressure on her chest suffocating as her lungs struggled for air.
It took every ounce of her courage to push aside the instincts screaming at her to remain silent. With numb lips, she struggled to form words. “I am not a witch.”
“I know that.” Gabriel laughed, his eyes warm as he watched her expectantly. To her shock, he actually seemed to be enjoying himself.
Diana continued as if he hadn’t spoken. It actually hurt to force out the words. “But I am a Druid. Whatever runs in my blood will be passed on to any child or children I may have.”
Instead of showing fear, his expression became contemplative. “Does insanity or physical defects run in your family? Anything someone could use to undermine our marriage?”
Diana’s stomach lurched at his practical answer…and his continued determination to marry her. It left her both leery and giddy. “Of course not, but I don’t think you understand—”
“Then there is no problem.”
“You’re not listening. I’ve gave my solemn vow to protect people. I am a Druid, and my blood will be passed down to any children we may have.”
“I couldn’t ask for a greater gift.”
Her stomach fluttered at his softly spoken words, and the rest of her protest evaporated.
He truly believed in her innocence.
He honestly didn’t care one whit about her past, or her Druid blood.
“We can discuss this more later. Right now, the sooner we marry, the sooner I can protect you. I’ll arrange for a special license and organize the travel preparations for London. While I am out, I want your word you’ll stay and protect Emilie while I’m gone.”
Before Diana could gather her scattered wits, he left. Shame churned in her gut that she hadn’t protested more.
That she hadn’t told him the whole truth.
He was a good man.
He deserved more than the trouble he was inviting into his life.
She hadn’t even mentioned her past—the real reason she was on the run.
For hundreds of years, Druids had been hunted and
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