Read Online The Defiant Bride by Leslie Hachtel - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Leslie Hachtel
Ads: Link
Dariana; he would fight with all that was in him to love her and protect her and make things aright.
Now he had to see to the arrangements. The priest would have to be discreet. Luckily, the man who served the family in that capacity had done so for years and considered William like a son.
“Leah, can you see that my bride is properly prepared—without her knowledge, of course.”
“Certainly, dear brother. Aught else? Shall I grow wings and fly? Or mayhap I can put her into a trance and she will obey your every desire. Would that please you?”
“You have made your point, Leah. But whether you approve or not, I will marry her on the morrow. I beg you to support me in this.”
“I love you, William.” She breathed a sigh. “I will do as you ask, even if it is against my better judgment. And I will try to make the road easier for her.”
“What would I do without you?”
“God only knows.”
C HAPTER 6
D ariana was exhausted but could not find solace in sleep. She tossed and turned throughout the night, dozing fitfully, then awakening when horrific images of executions filled her dreams. She must find a way to return to her cottage, where it was safe, but at the same time, she must ensure these people would not betray her.
She could walk or ride if they would lend her a horse. Yes, that was the solution. She would appeal to their sense of decency so she could return to her sanctuary. William and his dear sister could not possibly wish to put themselves at risk when the solution was so clear: to simply forget she ever existed.
But, then, why would William have brought her here? To what end? He had nothing to gain. He could not possibly think to claim her father’s holdings without the wrath of the king falling about him. He had said she had bewitched him, but that was the silly speech so often spoken by courtiers, with no meaning. So what did he hope to gain?
When the dawn painted the bright colors of blue and pink and orange across the sky, she watched the moving palette change, hoping the serenity of the beauty would ease her mind and give her the answers she sought.
Still confused, Dariana rose and dressed in one of Leah’s beautiful dresses. It was a soft blue and the silken feel of it was heaven. She pinched her cheeks to distract from the dark smudges that must be beneath her eyes. She tied her hair with a bright ribbon and left her room in search of food. It was early and she didn’t expect the rest of the household to be up, but it seemed all were busy and bustling about. She stopped at the base of the steps and watched the flurry of activity, wondering if this was common practice. Before she could wonder overmuch, William was beside her, taking her elbow and leading her away from the main room and down a corridor. It opened onto a small room that appeared to be used as the family chapel. She went to the altar with him unresisting, neither fearful nor apprehensive, since she was loath to admit the truth: she liked his touch. She was so preoccupied and hazy from lack of sleep that she failed to notice the priest until she was before him. It took a moment for the import to sink in. Then she was filled with panic.
William tightened his grip on her arm and moved his other hand to her waist, forcing her body against his. She turned to face him. “You dare not!” she hissed, reaching to his face to rake him with her nails. He deftly avoided the attack and grabbed her wrist, prepared since she had every right to be angry. She trembled, feeling much like a trapped animal with nowhere to run.
He leaned his head down, his mouth against her ear. “Listen to me. I
will
marry you. There is no other way. Do not make it more difficult. I have made a vow to protect you, and this is truly the answer to your woes. When you are my wife, the king will be unwilling to take any retribution. That and the fact that your betrothal had been rescinded seems the perfect solution to keep you safe.”
It took a moment
Now he had to see to the arrangements. The priest would have to be discreet. Luckily, the man who served the family in that capacity had done so for years and considered William like a son.
“Leah, can you see that my bride is properly prepared—without her knowledge, of course.”
“Certainly, dear brother. Aught else? Shall I grow wings and fly? Or mayhap I can put her into a trance and she will obey your every desire. Would that please you?”
“You have made your point, Leah. But whether you approve or not, I will marry her on the morrow. I beg you to support me in this.”
“I love you, William.” She breathed a sigh. “I will do as you ask, even if it is against my better judgment. And I will try to make the road easier for her.”
“What would I do without you?”
“God only knows.”
C HAPTER 6
D ariana was exhausted but could not find solace in sleep. She tossed and turned throughout the night, dozing fitfully, then awakening when horrific images of executions filled her dreams. She must find a way to return to her cottage, where it was safe, but at the same time, she must ensure these people would not betray her.
She could walk or ride if they would lend her a horse. Yes, that was the solution. She would appeal to their sense of decency so she could return to her sanctuary. William and his dear sister could not possibly wish to put themselves at risk when the solution was so clear: to simply forget she ever existed.
But, then, why would William have brought her here? To what end? He had nothing to gain. He could not possibly think to claim her father’s holdings without the wrath of the king falling about him. He had said she had bewitched him, but that was the silly speech so often spoken by courtiers, with no meaning. So what did he hope to gain?
When the dawn painted the bright colors of blue and pink and orange across the sky, she watched the moving palette change, hoping the serenity of the beauty would ease her mind and give her the answers she sought.
Still confused, Dariana rose and dressed in one of Leah’s beautiful dresses. It was a soft blue and the silken feel of it was heaven. She pinched her cheeks to distract from the dark smudges that must be beneath her eyes. She tied her hair with a bright ribbon and left her room in search of food. It was early and she didn’t expect the rest of the household to be up, but it seemed all were busy and bustling about. She stopped at the base of the steps and watched the flurry of activity, wondering if this was common practice. Before she could wonder overmuch, William was beside her, taking her elbow and leading her away from the main room and down a corridor. It opened onto a small room that appeared to be used as the family chapel. She went to the altar with him unresisting, neither fearful nor apprehensive, since she was loath to admit the truth: she liked his touch. She was so preoccupied and hazy from lack of sleep that she failed to notice the priest until she was before him. It took a moment for the import to sink in. Then she was filled with panic.
William tightened his grip on her arm and moved his other hand to her waist, forcing her body against his. She turned to face him. “You dare not!” she hissed, reaching to his face to rake him with her nails. He deftly avoided the attack and grabbed her wrist, prepared since she had every right to be angry. She trembled, feeling much like a trapped animal with nowhere to run.
He leaned his head down, his mouth against her ear. “Listen to me. I
will
marry you. There is no other way. Do not make it more difficult. I have made a vow to protect you, and this is truly the answer to your woes. When you are my wife, the king will be unwilling to take any retribution. That and the fact that your betrothal had been rescinded seems the perfect solution to keep you safe.”
It took a moment
Similar Books
