Free Wed Him Before You Bed Him by Sabrina Jeffries Page A

off her refusal.
    They rode awhile in companionable silence. He surreptitiously checked his pocket watch. Surely he’d given the servants enough time to do as he’d ordered last night. He couldn’t wait to see how Charlotte liked his surprise.
    When they reached a certain small clearing near the road, he stopped and dismounted, motioning the groom to come forward for the horses. “I have something to show you,” David told Charlotte as he helped her down.
    â€œOh?”
    Now came the dicey part. He offered her his arm, which she took. Then he nodded to the groom, who gathered the reins of their two horses and started leading them back down the road.
    â€œWhere is he going?” she asked.
    â€œI told him we’d walk back.” With her hand firmly tucked in the crook of his arm, he headed for the woods.
    â€œMr. Masters—” she said, dragging her heels a bit.
    â€œCharlotte, you’re safe with me, I promise.”
    There was a moment when he was half-afraid she might run after the groom to retrieve her horse, or even set off alone on foot to the house.
    When she didn’t, he exulted. From here, everything would be smooth sailing. Because he finally had Charlotte to himself.
    But as they crossed through the woods and the sounds of rushing water began to trickle through to them, she dragged her feet again. “Have I been here before?”
    â€œYes, as a matter of fact. We used to play here. Don’t you remember?”
    They came close enough to the edge of the wood to see the Thames beyond. He wondered if she remembered Saddle Island in the middle, so called because of its unusual shape. It had been forbidden to them as children. Now it boasted a gazebo. And a lavish picnic luncheon set out earlier by the servants.
    She dug her fingers into his arm. Apparently she did recall it. But when he glanced at her face, expecting surprise or pleasure, she was pale as a ghost.
    â€œWhat are we doing here?” she asked, a strange note of panic in her voice.
    He led them toward the boat moored at a little landing on the bank. “We’re going over to the island for a picnic.”
    Abruptly, she dropped his arm. “We most certainly are not. I’m heading back.”
    Confound it all, why was she turning skittish again? He thought they’d put that behind them.
    Gathering up her skirts, she rushed back to the woods at a near run.
    â€œDon’t be absurd,” David cried as he hurried after her. “We’re not coming out all this way just to return without even seeing Saddle Island.” He grabbed her about the waist from behind, meaning only to stop her, but she struggled wildly against him.
    Did she think he meant to ravish her out there? What sort of man did she believe him to be? “Calm down, it’s merely a picnic, I swear. There’s no need for this—”
    â€œYou can’t make me get in that boat!” she cried. “I won’t do it! Let me go!”
    There was something more to this, something odd. “Charlotte, you’re being—”
    â€œHe told you, didn’t he?” She pried frantically at his arm.
    â€œ Who told me what ? I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
    When she twisted in his arms to face him, he saw, to his shock, the tears streaming down her face.
    â€œStop pretending! I know Papa must have told you. I know that’s why you’re doing this.” She grabbed his lapels.“Please don’t make me go out on the river, I beg you! I-I’ll do whatever you want, whatever he wants. Just don’t—”
    â€œShh, sweeting, shh, I won’t make you do anything, I promise,” he murmured, gathering her close. “I swear your father told me nothing!”
    He chanted it as he held her tight, trying to calm her. His heart ached to hear her sobbing. Too late he understood. Her fear had nothing to do with being alone with him. It had to do with