Forbidden Count by Victoria Pinder

Author:Victoria Pinder [Pinder, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Victoria Pinder

* * *

Sheena trekked halfway down the dining hall that held one massive mahogany table with cushioned blue and yellow chairs all pushed in.

To her, everything seemed perfect.

The staff would direct people to correct chairs.

The door in front of her opened and she saw Charles. He was a foot taller than her and her heart raced with apprehension.

She couldn’t avoid him in the empty dining room with only servants preparing for their jobs. It was either face him, circle around him, or jump over the table, as no one else was in the room.

Charles loomed closer and she crossed her arms to ensure she didn’t react in any way as he stood in front of her, blocking her escape. “Sheena.”

Adrenaline rushed through her. “Charles.” She spoke coldly. “What are you doing here?”

He traced her arm until she backed up. “Why did you marry this count? He is so far beneath you.”

Her hair stood on end. This wasn’t good. She pursed her lips and said, “That’s not nice. My husband is good to me.”

He sneered. “He’s never worked a day in his life.”

Wait. What? Her nose lifted in the air and she set her jaw. How dare Charles of all people say anything about Matteo? “He does more than you. He runs an estate and ensures his people are taken care of.”

He rolled his eyes at her. “This isn’t the fourteenth century anymore. People work for a living and earn money to live their own lives.”

Maybe a year ago she’d have talked like that, but then she hadn’t understood until Matteo the responsibilities involved with having a title and investing in people’s dreams. Matteo took an active interest in his tenants and he was so easygoing about it that he absolutely didn’t deserve ridicule. She took a step toward the exit. “Don’t judge Matteo, especially when I never could figure out what you did for work or money. You always had cash, but never did anything for anyone but yourself.”

Charles reached for her hands and tried to take them, but she clenched them into fists to avoid his touch. “I wanted to marry you, Sheena.”

She froze. Unbelievable. Charles’s closeness set off an explosion inside her that wanted to punch and fight, though she’d never done anything of the sort. “You have a funny way of showing affection.”

She stomped her feet a little more than a lady should as she darted around him toward the door. He stepped in front of her, blocking her again as he said, “I had business to finish with Cindy.”

Cindy. What about Alexa? Or Anna? Unreal. She gritted her teeth until she remembered that wasn’t good for a lady and circled around him. “And Anna? You came as her date.”

He reached for her arm. “We’re friends only. She knows I’ve missed you.”

She pulled free and stormed through the dining room as she said, “Well, Charles, I have to go.”

Without another word, she left him there.

Matteo waited for her and she slipped her hand in his, taking strength, but then Charles followed her out into the ballroom where the guests all waited.

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