Going Rogue Read Online Free

playing?”
    “Mozart.”
    He thought for a moment. “Weren’t you always partial to that other fellow?”
    “You mean another composer? There’s so many—Handel? Bach? Beethoven?”
    “Beethoven! Yes, that’s the one. I remember how passionately you spoke of the intensity of his music. You loved playing his pieces.”
    “I grew tired of Beethoven.” She leaned against the wall. “I hope you didn’t travel all this way to discuss music?”
    The chill in her tone caught him completely off guard. This wasn’t the warm welcome he’d expected. “I assure you, I didn’t make the trip just to exchange polite conversation.”
    She folded her arms over her chest. “Then why did you come here? I assume you have a good reason.”
    The very best , he thought. Though he’d always felt something more than friendship toward Meredith, he’d chosen not to formally pursue her. The eldest son of a modest land-owner, he had very few prospects of his own. His father would ramble drunkenly about their rich relation in Scotland, but tall tales of fortune and titles did little to advance his own opportunities.
    But then a miracle had happened. His father had somehow managed to find enough money to purchase him a commission in the Royal Army. Now he’d be regarded as a gentleman, and that meant finally having something worthy to offer Meredith in exchange for her hand.
    “Is there somewhere we can talk?” he asked, after a servant scurried by. “Somewhere a bit more private, perhaps?”
    Meredith shook her head. “I can’t right now—I’m entertaining.”
    Derek stepped back, her words a punch to his gut. “ Entertaining ?”
    She jutted her chin, just as she had as a child. “I can’t very well make my friends wait. You have no idea how important these ladies are.”
    He tried to excuse her lack of manners, but for the life of him, couldn’t. “I’ve come all this way. Surely, your important guests will excuse your absence long enough so that I may have a few moments alone with you?”
    She cast her gaze down at the floor. “You should have sent word, you should have written . . .”
    “Well, I do apologize for the inconvenience. I suppose in all my haste I didn’t anticipate just how inflexible your schedule would be.”
    Meredith looked back up, anger flashing behind her bright green eyes. “Well, you should have. Life here isn’t like it is in Middlebury. I have numerous appointments and obligations. I simply don’t have the time for unexpected callers.”
    He fisted his hands at his sides. “I’m not just another caller, Mere. I’m your friend. Your very oldest and very best friend. Remember?”
    “You can’t call me that anymore—it isn’t proper.”
    His jaw fell, along with his heart. “ Isn’t proper ? We used to swim in my parents’ pond without so much as a stitch covering either one of us. Surely, we’ve gotten past this whole business of propriety?”
    “Mr. Weston!” She shushed him. “You mustn’t say such things—not here, not ever again. Those times are behind me now.”
    He couldn’t stand it anymore. This was utter madness! He grabbed her hands, briefly noticing the yellow ribbon she wore around her left wrist. “Don’t you dare call me Mr. Weston—I’m Derek. And those times are not behind you. In fact, your past, your future, is right here in front of you . I’m right here in front of you . ”
    She tore her hands free, as if it pained her to touch him.
    He fished in his pocket and pulled out the ring, a family heirloom. He doubted the large, green center stone was real, but it didn’t matter. It served as a symbol, nothing more. One day, he’d buy her a real jewel, an emerald the same color as her eyes—something she could be proud of. “I know I should have written, but what I have to ask couldn’t wait for the post.”
    “What’s that?” She clutched her chest, her gaze narrowing in on the token he held out for her.
    He shrugged. “It’s far less than you