Read Online Too Far to Whisper by Arianna Eastland - Free Book Online Page A

returned to the stool and seated himself. Tilting back, he clasped his hands behind his head and leaned against the wall.
    “Furious!” Rosalind shot back. “I do not know what game you are playing, Captain, but I shall not allow you to make a mockery of me or my family! I insist you put an end to all of this ere it goes any further!”
    “Too late.” His tone was matter-of-fact. “I will wager that at this very moment your mother is out there spreading the news to everyone within earshot!  In fact, the news probably will have reached my parents ere we even get home.”
    “Well, then,” Rosalind said through gritted teeth, “you shall have a good number of people to explain the truth to, for I have absolutely no intention of wedding you – not now, not ever! And I cannot fathom what it was I ever said or did to give you the mistaken impression that I would!”
    Nathaniel leaned forward, returning the stool to its upright position. He smiled at her. “Dear girl, ‘tis what you did not do that enticed me! Since you have been in my parents’ employ, you have shown very little interest in me, have rebuffed any and all of my attempts to get close to you, and have made no attempt whatsoever to pursue me. I find your aloofness incredibly…stimulating. In truth, the more you avoid me, the more I desire you. And ‘tis certainly no secret that my parents adore you. ‘Twould not surprise me in the least if my mother miraculously recovers her health when she learns of this news. What better reason for us to be wed?”
    “ Love !” she snapped.
    Nathaniel shook his head and chuckled. “Ah, yes, love ! How well I remember our conversation during our journey here. Your romantic notions were so innocent, so amusing, I decided at that moment to ask your mother for your hand.”
    Rosalind glared at him. “I am so pleased to hear you took so much time to make a decision as important as selecting the woman with whom you will spend the rest of your life!  Would not the flip of a coin have served equally as well?”
    Nathaniel laughed easily. “You do amuse me, my love. As I told your mother, when I want something, I do not hesitate to take it. What purpose would it serve to delay what you and I both know is inevitable?”
    “Inevitable?”
    “Aye. Given more time, you would have come to love me…all women do. I, however, have not the patience to wait until you do. So, we shall wed first. That all-important love of which you so often speak, will have to come later.”
    “You pompous swine!” she hissed, her eyes blazing. “I would rather wed Daniel Straw!”
    Nathaniel’s eyebrows arched. “The whiner who hangs onto his mother’s skirts and fears his own shadow?”
    Her rage increased. “You find all of this to be amusing, do you? Well, how amusing will it be when I am forced to cause my mother undue pain by confessing to her that there will be no wedding – that this betrothal is nothing but some ruse you perpetrated for your own pleasure? If, as you say, she is out there spreading the word to everyone within earshot, then she will be made to look the fool!”
    Nathaniel shrugged. “Then do not tell her. Marry me and please both your family and mine. Have you so soon forgotten that your mother still mourns the loss of your father? Care you so little about her feelings that you would snatch away this one bit of happiness from her?”
    “There would be no need to distress her if you first had consulted me ere you asked her for my hand!” Rosalind’s rage caused her voice to tremble. “And I refuse to allow you to use guilt to force me to do your bidding!”
    Nathaniel released a long sigh and stood. “My dear Rosalind, you do confuse me.” He moved closer and his eyes penetrated hers. “Do you find me so terribly unappealing? Would being wed to me really be so distasteful?”
    “I barely know you, sir. But from what I have witnessed during our brief acquaintance, I am convinced no one on this earth is –