Free Wicked by Cheryl Holt Page B

control over what was about to happen. In the future, she would have plenty of reasons to hate him, and he didn’t need to supply any extra ones so early in their relationship. It would only make matters harder between them down the road.
    He went to the door too, and as he passed her, she reached into her pocket and withdrew the key.
    “Don’t come back,” she warned. “You won’t be able to get in.”
    He might have told her there was another entrance, a secret staircase that he’d used often as an adolescent when he’d been anxious to sneak out unseen.
    But he didn’t tell her. She’d learn about it later on.
    “Good night,” he said.
    She didn’t offer the same goodbye, and he walked out, dawdling until she spun the key in the lock. Just to be sure, he tried the knob.
    “Go!” she hissed on the other side of the wood.
    He strolled away, feeling disconcerted and more alone than he’d been in a very long time.

CHAPTER FIVE
    “You’ll remain by my side all evening.”
    “I don’t know why I should have to.”
    “Because I said so.”
    Veronica peered over at her stepfather. Usually, she could manipulate him—within reason—but he was being abnormally recalcitrant.
    She was an inch away from letting loose with vitriol, but it was pointless to fight with him. She had to sweet-talk and flatter and cajole, had to plant an idea in his head, then hammer away until he presumed it was his own.
    He was a self-important twit who believed people were impressed by his cleric’s collar. In reality, he was widely recognized as a belligerent incompetent. It never occurred to him that she might have views that differed from his own or that she might not care two figs for his opinion.
    They were at Summerfield Manor again, Stanley hosting another supper party with neighbors invited to meet Miss Ralston. For a horrifying interval after their invitation arrived, Oscar had claimed they wouldn’t attend, but of course, he couldn’t bear to refuse.
    He loved to be observed as he strolled through the house, loved to remind others that he was Stanley’s only brother.
    “I like Miss Ralston very much,” Veronica said. “I hope she and I will be great friends.”
    “If you wish to befriend her, it will be while you are beside me so I can keep an eye on you.”
    “Why are you so upset? Have you been quarreling with Uncle Stanley?”
    “Yes. That is why I nearly didn’t come, but it’s important for my parishioners to see me out and about. And that I extend my forgiveness to Stanley. I must shower him with Christian kindness.”
    Veronica wanted to gag. Oscar was the least Christian-behaving man in the world, and he and Stanley were always at odds. Stanley constantly taunted Oscar over how he might not inherit Summerfield, and Veronica thought it was terrific fun.
    “There’s Miss Ralston now.” Veronica gestured to where the woman was standing in the corner, and she flashed her prettiest smile. “Please, Papa Oscar. Just for a few minutes? You can watch me the whole time.”
    “Oh, all right,” he ultimately grumbled, “but stay where I can see you. I’d better not have to chase you out in the garden ever again.”
    “I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without your permission,” she lied.
    She slipped away, and as she felt his stern gaze following her, she sighed with exasperation. She was eighteen and lived in a bloody preacher’s rectory. Her stepfather was hated by all. They were disliked, isolated from society, with Stanley their sole relative. Despite how Oscar nagged, Veronica intended to enjoy herself.
    At the prior party, he’d left early, so he’d made her leave too. She’d missed the dancing, and it couldn’t happen again. She had to find more ways to sneak away—especially with James and Lucas visiting.
    James was her rescue plan, her escape route to the exciting life she deserved. Previously, she’d been too little to attract his attention, but she’d grown up. He was too smart to