Free Secrets of a Runaway Bride by Valerie Bowman Page B

all.”
    “Tediousness?” Annie scoffed. “That’s a horrible way to put it. We’re talking about love and marriage.”
    “No, we’re talking about false emotions, an ungodly institution, and what amounts to a business arrangement between two people who couldn’t care less about one another.”
    Annie’s mouth fell open and she stared at him, aghast. “So that’s it? You were in love once and never want to repeat the experience?”
    “Something like that.”
    “What if I told you I believe we all only have one true love in a lifetime?”
    His voice was tight. “All the more reason for me to remain a bachelor if that’s the case.”
    She crossed her arms over her chest. “You are positively mad.”
    His tone remained mocking, jovial. “No. I’m merely attempting to get you to think twice about chasing after Arthur Eggleston. The man isn’t worth it.”
    She clenched her fist in her skirts. “I am not chasing after Mr. Eggleston.”
    “Aren’t you?” She couldn’t see in the darkness, but she just knew that cocky brow was arched.
    “Arthur loves me, and we plan to marry as soon as possible. That’s what we were discussing in the garden before you rudely interrupted.”
    “And as you pointed out earlier, I shouldn’t have been eavesdropping, but I was and I happen to know you were trying to convince Eggleston to marry you.”
    She clenched her teeth. “Then you also heard him say he would convince his father. Or weren’t you paying attention to that part?”
    “Yes, I heard it and it’s most of what I’m basing my opinion upon. A real man doesn’t ask for permission from his father.”
    “And I suppose you’re a real man?”
    He leaned forward again and flashed that blasted knee-weakening smile again. “I’m sure of it.”
    Despite the rush of heat his words brought to places she didn’t want to contemplate at the moment, Annie shook her head angrily. “I don’t care to discuss this topic with you any longer, Lord Ashbourne. In addition to your astounding arrogance, it’s clear you’re stuck in your ways and convinced you’re always right. Far be it from me to try to convince you otherwise. Your heart is obviously made of stone.”
    He settled back into his seat. “I cannot blame you for wanting to change the subject, Miss Andrews. And I would be happy to do so, but I will not desist in my chaperonage. I don’t relish it any more than you do. But Arthur Eggleston is not the right man for you. I’m sorry to be the one to say this. But has it ever occurred to you that Eggleston just doesn’t seem that interested?”
    Annie slapped her palm against the thick coach cushion. “Of all the nerve!”
    Aunt Clarissa started awake. “Yes, dear. I’ll have another glass of wine. Don’t mind if I do. Thank you.” She settled back into the cushion and promptly resumed her snores.
    Despite Aunt Clarissa’s outburst, Lord Ashbourne’s haughty expression did not change.
    Annie was breathing so hard, her nostrils flared. She put a hand to her chest to still the staccato beating of her heart. She glared out the window. She had nothing, absolutely nothing, left to say to Lord Ashbourne.
    Eggleston just doesn’t seem that interested.
    What did Jordan Holloway know about it? He may have overheard one small conversation between herself and Arthur, but he had no idea why she loved him so.
    Annie clenched her jaw. She knew two things for certain: first, she would marry Arthur Eggleston, and second, she would prove the cocky Lord Ashbourne wrong. If it was the very last thing she did.

 
    CHAPTER 9
    After seeing Annie and Aunt Clarissa safely inside Devon’s town house, Jordan returned to his coach and threw himself inside, slamming the blasted door behind him.
    He’d handled the entire evening atrociously. Why did he allow that pixie of a girl to get under his skin? When had he allowed it? He had no idea. But she was there. Blast it. Firmly implanted like a pebble in a horse’s hoof. Jordan had