Free Jo Beverley by Forbidden Magic Page B

slave to the magic.
    She stopped as if a wall had sprung up in front of her.
    It wasn’t right.
    No matter what her need, it wasn’t right to bewitch someone like this. No good could come of it.
    â€œI’m sorry.” She turned and pushed past her startled family, hurrying back down the aisle.
    Someone had closed the door. In her panic, her cold fingers fumbled the latch. Then a hand appeared, pressed firmly against the dark wood, preventing her from opening it.
    â€œMiss Gillingham, please don’t run away.”
    He must have run to stop her, but his voice was beautifully modulated, and used—consciously she was sure—to soothe. It didn’t help. Susie had said the earl could easily find a bride, and it was clearly true.
    It was all magic, evil magic.
    â€œPlease, my lord . . .”
    His hand did not move. It was beautifully made, with long, elegant fingers and buffed nails. An earl’s hand.
    His large body loomed behind her, placing her inshadow. Without looking, she knew he must be close to a foot taller than she.
    Lacking any choice, she turned against the oaken door to look up at him, grateful for the shadows. She couldn’t tell the truth—she could never speak of the sheelagh. “It is just so ridiculous, my lord. I thought I could. But now . . .”
    â€œBut now you need a moment to collect yourself.” He moved back slightly, and smiled again, that charming, practiced smile. “Come, sit in this pew with me, Miss Gillingham, and we will discuss it.”
    He took her gloved hand and led her to the nearest row of seats. She couldn’t think of a reason to object. As she sat down she saw Jeremy, Laura, Richard, and Rachel watching wide-eyed. With a jolt, she remembered why she had to do this.
    The twins looked frightened, and Laura looked bewildered. Jeremy, however, was beginning to look pugnacious. She found a smile to reassure them all, but feared it was all wobbly.
    â€œMiss Gillingham,” the earl said, sitting beside her on the polished seat, “I assure you I am not so terrifying.”
    His eyes were yellow, or at least a strange pale hazel ringed around the iris with dark brown. More to the point, they were powerful. She didn’t know what made eyes powerful, but they were. Even with light brown brows and lashes, they shone intensely and sparkled with energy.
    She looked away, away at a memorial plaque on the wall—to the Merryam family, one of whom had been Lord Mayor in the last century—trying desperately to sort through her thoughts. “You’re not terrifying, my lord. Far from it. That is why I wonder at your wanting to marry me.”
    â€œSusie explained my predicament.”
    She had to look at him. Unfortunately, he was just as handsome as before. “It seems a foolish reason to tie yourself to me for life.”
    â€œYou think my word of honor a foolish thing?”
    She felt herself color. “No, my lord. But is it so impossible to admit to your grandmother that you have been unable to keep your promise?”
    â€œYes. Completely. Come now, Miss Gillingham, let me turn the tables. What possible objection can you have to me?”
    His easy self-confidence made her want to roll her eyes, but he was right. She had no rational objection. How could she say she didn’t want to marry him because he was victim of a magic spell? Or that she was dismayed because the bargain would be so unequal? That she wished he were grotesque and drooling.
    â€œYou are very tall,” she said weakly.
    â€œNot very. And sitting down, the difference in our heights is not so obvious. I will try to sit a lot.” Then he challenged her. “I thought we had an agreement, Miss Gillingham. A promise.”
    â€œI did add that we would have to find each other congenial, my lord.”
    â€œI find you congenial.”
    â€œHow can you? You do not know me.”
    â€œI like the fact that you