Read Online Jo Beverley by Forbidden Magic - Free Book Online

plain. What, however, if he intruded when she was in her underlayers?
    She turned over, begging sleep to come. She’d buy new, that’s what she’d do. She’d claim her old clothes were all worn out and buy new. Giving up the others would be a sacrifice, however, a sacrifice of a special part of herself.
    Sleep eluded her.
    This was apparently her last night as a single woman.
    Untouched.
    A virgin.
    She could hardly bear to think that tomorrow she would have to let a total stranger have access to the most private parts of her body.
    Beneath these worries ground another fear.
    The sheelagh’s gift was too much. An earl, even a rather peculiar one, would never, of his own will, marry Meg Gillingham.
    What price would she have to pay for that?
    And worse, she had stolen his free will. She’d felt guilty enough over summoning the baker’s son with a cake. Now she’d trapped someone for life!
    It had to be a sin.
    She’d always suspected that the sheelagh was evil, and now she knew it was true.
    But she had no choice. She’d give even her soul to save her sister.

Chapter 4
    Owain still wasn’t sure whether his friend’s course was wise or not, but he knew he had no chance of changing it now. So, he thought, as they returned to the house from White’s in the early hours of the last day of the year, he’d better smooth the way.
    Despite the freezing temperature and a bitter wind, they were walking. Sax always needed to burn off energy after sitting around for hours, and for once he had been sitting. Most of the time had been spent in casual gaming for idle stakes, but he’d also made up doggerel with Vane and Petersham, and then indulged a homesick Scot who needed to talk of Hogmanay. Poor McCallum had invited Sax to his rooms the next night for a proper greeting of the New Year, but Sax had told him he was already engaged. Only a slight twitch of the lips had registered the pun.
    It was generally best to be blunt with Sax, so as they turned into the quiet square, Owain said, “Don’t you think you should make some preparation for your bride?”
    â€œDevil take it, why didn’t you say something earlier? She’ll need a bed at least.”
    â€œAt least. And don’t forget her brothers and sisters.”
    â€œAren’t you supposed to look after these details for me?”
    â€œOnly when given instructions.”
    â€œDoesn’t usually deter you.” Sax ran up the stairs to ply the knocker. He never carried keys, so a servant was always available when he was out. Tonight, it was Stephen, the running footman when required, who’d developed his speed fleeing honest citizens after filching theirhandkerchiefs. He took their hats and canes, smothering a yawn.
    Brak leaped up from his patient vigil by the door to fawn around and be greeted. Once the dog was appeased, Sax grabbed a lit candle from the hall table and headed straight for the stairs, dog at his side, flame flowing behind like a banner. Owain followed, hoping the whole house wasn’t about to be roused. It had happened before.
    Owain knew Sax was right, though. He should have taken care of matters himself. He suspected he’d been trying to wash his hands of the whole business.
    Sax went into the room next to his own bedroom, his breath puffing in the unheated air. “The countess’s.” He put down the candle and flung back the curtains as if daylight would magically appear. “More candles!”
    Owain had already gone into the other bedroom and returned with a branch of them. In moments, Stephen ran up with another candelabra.
    In the shimmering light, Sax looked around at dark wood and olive-green hangings. “Dull, thirty years out of date, but good enough for the moment. Tell someone to light a big fire and get this bed aired.”
    â€œIt’s two in the morning.”
    â€œIn the morning,” Sax added, as if he’d always intended to