Read Online More Than Willing by Laura Landon - Free Book Online Page A

Manor after your father. Marriage to me will guarantee you will always have your family home.”
    “You think I would marry to keep my home?”
    He smiled. “No, you probably would not. But perhaps if you knew that by marrying me your sisters were always guaranteed of a home you might change your answer.”
    Maggie couldn’t stop the tremor that raced through her. This was exactly why her sisters had to have a Season. She had to make sure both of them found husbands to love them and take care of them, and provide them with homes of their own. She would be content living in one of the worker’s cottages between the brewery and the village, and Aunt Hester had her own home to go back to, but her sisters needed lives of their own.
    “Release me, Mr. Bradford,” she said, thankful her voice sounded strong. “I will not marry to keep Bradford Manor. I’ve known for years that it would never be mine.”
    “But it can be.”
    “No.”
    She twisted to get away from him again. Instead of tightening his hold on her, he pulled her toward him. Before she could stop him, he pressed her close to him, her thighs touching his, her belly pressed against his. He wrapped his arms around her, crushing her breasts to his chest. Maggie struggled but he didn’t release her.
    “You need someone to take you in hand, Margaret. I think that is what you’ve secretly yearned to have for years.”
    She struggled harder and lifted her chin to demand he release her but her breath lodged in her throat. He intended to kiss her. She realized she’d never wanted to avoid something so desperately in her whole life.
    “No. Don’t. ” She struggled to turn her face away from him, but he clamped his fingers on either side of her jaw and brought her face back.
    T otally out of her element, she battled a feeling of helplessness she’d never experienced before. She’d never had to fight off an unwelcome suitor, never allowed anyone to get this close to her. She’d worn a cloak of aloofness her whole life, keeping every man she’d ever met at arm’s length.
    Panic erupted inside her, then built with such intensity she feared she might become ill. Her heart thundered and every muscle in her body quivered. She hated this helpless feeling.
    “I’ve dreamed of this since the first time I saw you.” He lowered his head.
    “No! ”
    She felt the warm air from his breath on her face and struggled harder.
    He smiled, then brought his lips close to hers.
    “No! ” she cried out again but her pleas seemed useless. She closed her eyes and braced herself for his kiss.
    “I believe I heard the lady say no,” a deep voice said from the other side of the room.
    Lyman pushed her away with a jerk and spun to face their intruder. “Who are you?”
    She turned to see who had come to her rescue . Grayson Delaney stood in the doorway. She should feel an even greater fear. Instead, she filled with an immense sense of relief.
    Her gaze locked with his, the deep blue of his eyes even darker as he assessed her.
    She tried to portray a calmness she didn’t feel and a frown appeared on his forehead that indicated that she’d failed.
    “Are you all right?”
    Maggie opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. All she managed was a nod of her head.
    His jaw clenched and a muscle on either side of his face knotted. The fury she saw in his glare caused her to fear for Lyman’s safety and she tried to smile in an effort to calm the situation. She wasn’t sure if it worked of not, but he didn’t make any move to close the distance between them. He extended his arm as if he expected her to come to him.
    Maggie stared at his outstretched arm and felt a tremor of apprehension shift her insides. The thought of allowing Lyman Bradford to kiss her was revolting in the extreme. Yet, walking into Grayson’s arms didn’t seem much safer. While his presence portrayed a powerful refuge, Maggie realized relying on him might be more dangerous. But she was willing to take