Read Online Jo Beverley - [Rogue ] by An Unwilling Bride - Free Book Online

her body. He would be free to beat her if he wished. If he were to beat her to death he would likely incur only a mild penalty, especially as he would have all the riches and power of his family on his side, and she would have no powerful friends to protest.
    But she reminded herself of the maxims of Publius. Fear is to be feared more than death or injury. She could not afford fear.
    The duke and the marquess needed her in order to achieve their end, needed her in excellent health for successful child-bearing. That was her protection from extreme violence and, after all, if blows were the price she must pay for making him reject her, she would count it—like the heroes of Athens—a small cost for her freedom.
    She smiled wryly. It was perhaps uplifting to think of the brave men of Athens who died for freedom, but she did not fool herself that the next few days were likely to be easy or pleasant.
    They changed horses again twice but only in minutes. An hour later, at the next change, the coach halted and the door swung open.
    "It is another hour or so to Belcraven, Miss Armitage. Would you like some tea? You could take it in the coach or come into the inn." The marquess was a model of impersonal punctiliousness.
    In the same manner, Beth extended a hand to be helped down. "I would like to stretch my legs, I think. Perhaps I could walk a little here."
    "Certainly," he said and extended an arm.
    Despite her silent debate in the coach, Beth found she did not want his company at all. He was such a big man and so very cold. "There is no need for you to accompany me, my lord."
    "Of course there is," he said, staring into the distance. "It would be most odd if I did not."
    Helplessly Beth laid her hand lightly on his sleeve, and they strolled along the road of the small town. She tried to force herself to say something offensive, but his silence was like a wall between them, and her tongue stayed frozen.
    After about ten minutes, the marquess said, "Perhaps we should turn back now," and they did so.
    At the inn he said, "Would you like some tea?" Beth agreed that she would. He arranged it and left her alone.
    When she had finished and made a brief toilette, he escorted her to the coach, mounted his horse, and they were off.
    Beth contemplated a lifetime of such arid courtesy and shuddered. A marriage like that would be death in life to her, but it doubtless would only be an inconvenience to him. What was needed, after all, to produce a clutch of children? A few brief, soulless encounters. For the rest of the time he would be able to continue with his present life undisturbed.
    Her determination to pursue her plan was reborn and strengthened. To escape this kind of life she would do anything, face any threat.
    Not during this journey, however. All too soon the groom on the box made a long blast on his horn and they swept through magnificent, gilded, wrought-iron gates. They were in Belcraven Park. The gatekeeper and his family doffed their caps or dipped a curtsy as appropriate. Beth turned her face away. It was not right that these people pay her homage.
    The carriage rolled along the smooth drive between ranks of perfect lime trees. In the meadows to either side, speckled deer raised their heads to watch them pass. She saw a lake with what appeared to be a Grecian temple in the middle. She heard the shriek of peacocks—those useless living ornaments of the rich.
    Then the curve of the driveway presented Belcraven. Beth gaped. In the setting sun it was a mountain of golden stone decorated with carvings and crenelations and set with the glimmering jewels of hundreds of windows. It was enormous, the largest building Beth had ever seen, and the most beautiful. This was to be her home?
    Impossible.
    When the coach stopped beneath the great curving double steps which led up to massive gleaming doors already open, Beth wanted to huddle in the coach. It, after all, was of a scale much more to her liking. The door was soon opened however,