A Royal Engagement by Olga Daniels

Author:Olga Daniels
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-09-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Meg shivered, suddenly cold. She tore her arms away from where they had been resting, lovingly and trustingly, on Richard’s shoulders. She stepped back, stooped to snatch up her shawl from the dank, leaf-strewn ground.

“Dearest Meg—there is nothing I would like better than to marry you. I’d do it, here and now. But I cannot. It would be the height of folly—”

“How else can I save myself from being forced into this liaison with the King? Can you imagine what it is like? I have to pretend a liking I do not and cannot feel—”

“I know it is hard for you, Meg. But you must be patient—”

“Patient! For the rest of my life? Or until he tires of me and sends me to the block?”

“Hush! Do not speak so! For God’s sake, guard your tongue.”

“If you will not marry me, how otherwise can I escape?” Her voice was dulled. She had been so full of hope, and he had failed her.

“It would do no good, Meg, and it would be most unwise just now. Just wait awhile—”

“Wait!” She interrupted. She was seething with anger, finding it difficult not to scream at him. How dared he continue to pretend? “You always say you cannot when you mean that you will not! You pretended you could not tell me what fate was in store for me when you brought me away, when all along you knew. Had you given me warning then I could have sought sanctuary in one of the religious houses, or hired myself out as a servant—”

“Hush, my dearest.” His fingers covered her lips to quieten her. “You must believe me. It will be all right. I have a plan—”

He would have taken her into his arms again, but she would not. She side-stepped.

“Tell me,” she whispered angrily.

“The time is not yet right. I promise—”

“Let me be the judge of that. Tell me.”

“Trust me—”

She did not waste her breath by answering. She rushed past him, hurrying through the trees. She was past caring how much noise she made, crashing into branches, scuffling leaves with her feet and skirts.

She stopped abruptly when she heard someone call out, “Who’s there?” It came from ahead, not far away. She halted, listening intently. Now all was silent, but she had recognised that voice. Gervase Gisbon. She had no wish to be discovered in such a compromising situation, especially by him.

A woman’s voice spoke softly, dreamily, “What is it, my sweetheart?”

“I thought I heard footsteps among the trees,” Gervase answered. “I was afraid it might be your husband.”

“No need to worry about him, dear one. He’s returned to the country. He has to quell a revolt and hang one or two of the peasants.”

“He is a good man. It has to be done for there is no other way to keep order. I am grateful that he takes his duties so seriously, and leaves you here…” Ger-vase’s voice trailed away.

The woman chuckled. There was a brief silence. Then she spoke again. “There’s no one here.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.