Her Noble Lords Read Online Free Page B

never more than three or four strokes. Sir Ralf is considerably stronger than she is. A beating from him will hurt. I am not convinced I would survive it.
    He quirks his lip. “I see that I do. Your choice, my lady.”
    “I… I will not try to escape. You have my word.”
    “Aye and we know what that is worth, given the fantasy you wove earlier.”
    I do not attempt to reiterate my case since it is clear my word alone will not suffice. “I am sorry, my lord. I swear, I will not cause any difficulties.”
    Piers reins the horse to a stop and assists me to the ground. “You have five minutes. You will answer me each time I call out to you. Yes?”
    “Yes, my lord. Would you untie my hands please, so that I may—”
    “You will manage. Unless you prefer one of us to accompany you.”
    I shake my head and start to make my unsteady way across the uneven forest floor. Dead twigs, leaves, heaven only knows what tiny woodland creatures crunch beneath my bare feet. I stumble, almost losing my footing.
    “Would you like me to carry you?” Ralf’s mocking tone reaches me.
    I turn, shake my head, and manage to make it to the thicket of bushes without further mishap. A few minutes later and following considerable awkwardness as I fumble with my borrowed clothing, I am once more on horseback, this time with Ralf. Piers has proceeded ahead of us.
    “What…? What will happen to me once we reach your encampment?” I dread the answer but feel compelled to ask.
    “You will have a few hours in which to rest, my lady. Our wedding will take place on the morrow.”
    “What? No, you cannot—”
    “Ah, but I can, Lady Eleanor. We are betrothed, the contracts signed and sealed. The marriage ceremony will take place when I will it. The priest will perform the service early in the morning, then we leave at once for Egremont.”
    “But, I told you I am not she. Your bride-to-be is still at Wellesworth. If you would just return there, my lord, you may discuss this with her. I am sure you will arrive at some mutually agreeable solution.” I am convinced of no such thing in truth but the matter is between my mistress and Sir Ralf. It does not concern me.
    His arms stiffen around me. “You persist in spouting this nonsense then? Shall I gag you once more?”
    My heart sinks. I shake my head, afraid that if I attempt to speak again he will carry out his threat.
    Seemingly satisfied with my silence, Sir Ralf arranges the cloak around me and tucks it under my bare feet. His touch is gentle enough, despite his harsh words.
    “Do not be afraid, my lady. We have got off to a bad start, you and I and I regret the necessity for that. But be assured I will not hurt you, nor will you be mistreated as my wife. Once you accept that your future lies at Egremont, with me, I daresay you will discover the situation is not without its compensations.” His tone is softer now, as though he seeks to cajole me into acquiescence. Would that it were so simple.
    His words of encouragement do, though, bolster my resolve to at least make one more attempt to resolve this.
    “My lord, your actions are extreme. Rather than stealing into the castle and abducting the lady of the keep, might you not have entered Wellesworth by the front portal? Lady Eleanor can be difficult, I do know that, but you could have stated your objections to her actions, perhaps gained some recompense for the broken betrothal.”
    “You consider me an unreasonable man, my lady?”
    I start to deny the suggestion, but the words seem caught in my throat. Reasonable lords do not scale sheer walls and snatch defenceless women from their beds.
    He gives a low chuckle. “I can see how you might have arrived at such a conclusion, my lady, and I would sympathise were our betrothal not a matter of some considerable importance to me. Your brother is my friend, and a marriage between our families is a dear wish of his. I confess, too, that the alliance will do my own fortunes no harm, though that