Until I'm Safe in Your Arms (The Welwyn Marriage Wager Book 1) by Jenna Jaxon

Author:Jenna Jaxon [Jaxon, Jenna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-05-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Sobbing nearly hysterical tears, Emma fled up the stairs, taking some of them two at a time. She had to get away, go hide herself so no one could find her. Throwing the door open so forcefully it banged into the wall behind it, Emma ran for the far side of the bed and dove underneath it without a thought for either her clothes or her body. She banged her head on the underside of the bed, but ignored the sharp pain and continued to burrow underneath it.

Were those footsteps in the hall? She froze, listened closely, then continued to squeeze herself into the smallest ball she could and waited, trying not to whimper. That pungent aroma wafted over her, filling her nose with the nasty smell until she wanted to stuff her nose with something to block it out.

The steps grew slower. Oh, she should have closed and locked the door. Now she must be absolutely silent so they couldn’t find her.

“Emma?”

She stiffened, scarcely breathing.

“Emma, where are you, sweetheart?” The soft voice seemed familiar.

The steps came closer until she could see the black shoes from under the bed. Then a concerned face appeared. “Emma, what are you doing under there?”

Alex. He’d come to rescue her. “Alex,” she whispered. “Thank God. Please, please, take me away from here.”

He frowned but nodded. “Of course I will, darling. Can you come out from under the bed?” His face disappeared. “Then we can go.”

She didn’t want to move for fear the sepoys would find her. But this was Alex. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. Summoning all her courage, she inched toward the edge of the bed. The horrid scent seemed to intensify as she moved toward more open air. Gorge rose in her throat, but she bit it back. She’d be out of here soon. Alex would take her. He’d keep her safe.

At last she steeled her nerve and poked her head out from under the bed.

Alex stood there, peering down on her, a tender look in his eyes. “Give me your hand, my love. I’ll help you up.”

“And then we’ll go?” They had to escape.

“If you wish it, yes.”

She wished it more than anything in the world.

He held out his hand and she took it. Gently, he drew her out from under the bed until she stood before him, his eyes terribly kind. “Come, my dear, sit quietly here for a moment.” He steered her to the pretty little chaise in front of the fireplace and sat her down. “Now, you rest here—”

“No, no, Alex, you can’t leave me!” She grabbed his arm and held on. “They will take me if you leave.” She clung to him, unable to release her iron grip on his arm.

“Dearest, there is no one here to harm you.” As he spoke softly, he rubbed her shoulders then dropped a kiss on her forehead. But his eyes were worried. “Are you having some sort of waking dream? About your stay in India? I assure you, you are safe here in England.

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