La Flamme (Historical Romance) Read Online Free Page B

pondered his feelings. "To me, Eugenia, love and honor are one and the same."
    He watched as her lip curled and an expression not unlike a predatory cat's masked her face. "Spare me your boyish romanticized illusions of love," she said. "And you have no honor!"
    "I admit that I have not acted honorably with you. All the blame is mine, and I can only apologize if I conducted myself badly. It was never my intention to hurt you."
    "Hurt me. You tore my heart out! I was going to give myself to you tonight."
    Garreth looked at her with pity. "And I had come here to tell you that we could not see each other again."
    She was frantic now, her hands like claws, clutching at his shirtfront. "No! That cannot be! We were meant to be together. You must not leave me!"
    He pried her fingers loose and walked toward the door, only to pause in the archway. "I wish you happiness, Eugenia."
    She was gasping for breath. She wanted to see him dead! "And I wish you and your new bride a life of misery." Her breasts were heaving and her lips curved in anger. "If possible, I'll send you both to hell, no matter how long it takes!"

 
     
    4
     
    Eugenia Meredith was becoming more agitated by the moment. She had been waiting beside her disabled coach all afternoon. She was chilled, dusty, and hungry for that matter, but she would not leave until she had accomplished her objective. She must get inside Woodbridge Castle.
    No little chit was going to take Garreth away from her. And if she could not have him, no one else would.
    Her scheme to gain admittance to the castle was ingenious. She had instructed her driver to stop within sight of the estate and remove a wheel from her coach in such a manner that it would appear they'd had an accident. Of course, when someone from the castle recognized her plight, she would be invited to rest there until her coach was repaired.
    Once a man on horseback stopped to lend assistance, but when Eugenia discovered that he was merely a traveler on his way to London, she refused his help.
    It would soon be dark and she was becoming desperate. Eugenia had decided to send her footman to ask for assistance, when she noticed a girl walking across the meadow and assumed she was a servant. She had her footman attract the girl's attention.
    "You there, girl," he called out through cupped hands, "come here at once."
    Sabine stopped, undecided as to what to do. After a moment, she limped toward the coach. When she reached the road, Eugenia motioned her closer.
    "Are you from that castle?"
    Sabine immediately saw the broken wheel. "Yes, madame, I am. It appears that you need help."
    "Then hasten to your master and beg his aid. Hurry, girl, it'll soon be dark, and I am weary and in need of nourishment."
    Sabine agreed with a nod. "If it is your wish, you may accompany me across the meadow to my home—it is but a short distance. Or, if you prefer, I can send someone to fetch you."
    The girl's cultured speech caused Eugenia to give her a closer look. She wore a brown woolen gown with a wide lace-trimmed collar and elaborate lacework on the cuffs and hem. Her red hair was pulled away from her face and secured with pearl-studded combs. Her brown boots were of the finest leather. This was no servant girl as she'd first thought; perhaps she was a member of the family.
    "Are you mayhap a relative of the earl of Woodbridge?" Eugenia asked in a more courteous manner.
    Sabine had been admiring the woman's yellow gown with its gold trim. It was a most elegant creation, and the woman herself had the kind of beauty anyone would admire.
    "I do have the honor of being Lord Woodbridge's daughter, madame."
    Eugenia gave her a tight smile. "How fortunate for me that my coach broke down near your home. I would be delighted to accompany you across the meadow, although my shoes were not meant for walking."
    "Do not be concerned, madame. I shall hasten to my father and he will send a coach for you."
    "I know little of your family," Eugenia said slyly.