Gentleman's Guide 02 - His Contrary Bride) Read Online Free

ill.”
    Sabrina relaxed slightly. “I couldn’t stay
any longer.”
    Marius .jumped from his seat. “You have been
walking for hours, at night, alone?”
    “I was perfectly fine.” Her chin jutted out
in defiance.
    Marius shook his head. Nobody with any sense
walked alone in the middle of the night. “What will you do in
London?”
    “Find another position.”
    “Did Lady Davies provide a reference?”
    “No, she didn’t.”
    Marius couldn’t understand her lack of
concern. Had she no idea that doors would be closed to her without
proper references? “Perhaps if you had waited until morning,” he
offered, though he knew it was too late.
    “Mr. Parker, I knew two years ago that Lady
Davies would never write a reference for me. I only stayed because
it was easier than striking out on my own.”
    Concern grew in Marius. What would become of
her? He already could guess and he wouldn’t allow it. “Why did you
leave now?”
    She turned away from him and studied his
horses instead. “She gave me a duty I wasn’t willing to perform.
Had I waited to resign this morning, she would not have allowed me
to take any of my personal possessions. She believes that
everything I have is rightfully hers.”
    Marius continued to watch her with
curiosity. She already did most of the work. “What was it she
wanted you to do?”
    A blush strained Sabrina’s cheeks. “I would
rather not say.”
    Marius studied her, trying to guess what
could have made her leave this way. Then he recalled what Sabrina
had said about Lady Davies promising him something. “Did it have
anything to do with me?”
    Her blush only deepened. Sabrina didn’t
answer him.
    Marius was convinced it had to do with him.
“Tell me what Lady Davies wanted you to do.”
    Sighing, Sabrina looked up at him. “She
ordered me to see to all your needs.” Sabrina answered in a
quiet voice.
    “As in offering yourself to me?”
    Sabrina’s face deepened into a dark red.
“Yes. I wasn’t willing and knew if I stayed, things would only get
more difficult. So, I left.”
    Still shocked, Marius stepped closer.
“Sabrina, if you would have come to me, I would have turned you
away.”
    Her eyes showed disbelief so he continued.
“I do not dally with servants, even those as attractive as you. I
would not have broken that rule, especially if I knew you were
being sent to me as if Lady Davies was your…”
    Her blush returned. Marius took her arm and
escorted her to the curricle. “Let me drive you to London.”
    Sabrina took a step back. “No, I
couldn’t.”
    Marius pulled her along. “Yes, you can. I
feel partially responsible for you being in this predicament and, I
could use the company.”
    Sabrina stood rooted in her spot.
    “I promise to be on my best behavior.
Besides, I am not about to leave you out here alone. If you didn’t
get into the curricle, I will simply walk along beside you.”
    Sabrina narrowed her eyes as if she didn’t
believe him.
    He stood and waited. He would wait all day
if necessary.
    With a deep sigh, Sabrina allowed him to
assist her onto the seat. She moaned once she was off her feet. “It
feels good to sit down.”
    Marius merely chuckled and set he horses
into motion once again. “There is a village further down the road.
Have you eaten recently?”
    She dismissed the need to stop. “I had some
bread and cheese a short while ago.”
    A short while ago could have been hours as
far as Marius was concerned and he wasn’t going to let her starve
either. “Good, I am famished and we both could use a good
meal.”
    Her eyes widened. “I am not really
hungry.”
    Marius suspected she probably didn’t have
funds for food, and he wasn’t about to let her go without a meal.
“We shall see.”
     

Chapter 3

    Sabrina was happy to ride rather than walk.
Her feet did not throb nearly as much, though her back still ached.
Who would have thought the walk would have made her so sore and
weary? It wasn’t as if she wasn’t used to