Free Becoming a Lady by Adaline Raine Page B

did it only because you asked of my story, My Lord, and that is more attention than I have ever been paid.”


    “ I am waiting for an answer.  A well-thought one at that.”  He kept his eyes on her.


    “ Answer me one question first?”  Anna let go of his hand.


    Lord William raised an eyebrow.  “I will answer one question and one question only.”


    “ What if I do not know how to be a wife?”  Anna raised an eyebrow of her own.
    “ I believe that you will do very well.  Your main task would be to support me, and I will tell you everything else that you will need to know.”  He drew a quick breath, and she was sure he had taken in the meaning behind her question.


    “ Do I understand that when you say to support you, that you really mean, My Lord, that I sit behind you and nod my head?”  Anna could not wrap her head around the idea that he actually wanted her to be his wife.  Is that really why he had taken her away from her village?  Did he bring her here to give her a better life?
    “ That is what I am saying to you.  You would also be given the title of lady - a title that I remind you holds a higher standard than anyone in the village that neglected you.”  Lord William ran his hand through his hair.  “What is your answer?”


    “ I do not know if I can do what you are requiring of me.”  Anna took a small hunk of bread from the loaf and took a bite.


    “ I will let you know something then.  If you accept my proposal I will do everything in my power and beyond to keep you safe.  No one can utter even the slightest murmur of insolence or I will deal with him swiftly and without remorse.”  He took a breath.  “I will never let anyone bring any harm to you again for as long as I live.”


    “ What if I accept your proposal, My Lord, and am not able to assume all a lady’s duties?”  Anna dipped her bread in a bit of gravy.


    “ I will teach you how to be a lady and how to fulfill all of your duties.”  His tone turned dangerously low on the word ‘all’ and Anna squirmed against the chair.

She began to cough then and took several small sips from the cup, remarking to herself that his teaching more than likely would continue to involve spankings.  Anna took several more sips and tried to regain her composure.  Suddenly feeling brave, she asked, “How will you teach, My Lord?”
    “ I suppose I could show you again.”  The corners of his mouth turned up with those words and for the first time Anna confirmed that something about her amused him in a good way.

Anna coughed again as her thoughts recalled the riding crop, and she nearly choked on her wine.  “No, no, I just remembered your lessons.  I had only wondered if they were the same.”
    Lord William smiled broadened.  “I am surprised that my method has not scared you away.”


    Anna took in a breath and let it out slowly.  “I admit, My Lord, that I have recalled that more oft than I should.”
    “ I suppose I should ask you what else you have been thinking of.”  His eyes darkened and the smile faded.  “Have you had enough time then to answer my question?”  Lord William finished his drink and set it back on the table.


    Anna looked down into her lap.  She had to assume that at the very least Lord William had been true to his word.  He had not allowed harm to come to her in the time that she had been in his possession.  He had given her over to Lord Wendel not for the purpose of gaining rank as she had previously thought but to make her his wife.  Had he done something to cause the death of all the men who had hurt her, including Lord Wendel?  Why had he said the previous lord had been dead for over ten years?  He had also said ‘save the beast that created’ her?  Did he mean her Father?  Anna looked up slowly.  “I am afraid, My Lord.”


    “ What are you afraid of, Anna?”


    His lips said her name for the