Ravished Read Online Free Page A

gentle.”
              Alex glanced at the
antlers on the wall, not quite believing her.
              “Remember when you
said to me I should explore my horizons?”  She looked innocently at her father
who, by this time, had cooled to a slow simmer.
              He sputtered, but
she continued, “There is so much to see at the fair and when I heard the
servants speaking of it, I knew this was just the sort of activity you would
approve of.”  Lord Derwin guffawed.  Un-perturbed, she said, “The fair was
glorious ... but on the way home some dreadfully smelly man that I had ignored
at the fair accosted me and had the gall to demand my purse.  I, of course,
told the gentleman that I would do no such thing.  He became quite
cross.” 
              Alex thought cross did not accurately describe the man but wisely kept her own counsel.
              “A lady simply
cannot abound anywhere these days.” Constance tilted her chin up.          “Oh,
Papa.  You would be so proud!  If it were not for Lord Montague ... well
... I shan’t have known what I would have done.  He bested that dreadful man
with his sword, just like in your stories, Papa.  He rode his beautiful steed
into the clearing like an avenging angel.  I nearly fainted, I was so relieved
to see him.”
              Eyeing Alex
appreciatively, noticing her for perhaps the first time, he said, “It seems we
are indebted to you ... my son.”
              Before Alex knew
what was happening, he embraced her and pounded her with good fatherly humor on
the back with breath-taking force.
              “It ... it was
nothing, my lord.  Any true gentleman would have done the same.”  For this
comment Alex was the lucky recipient of another back-bruising hug.  With
effort, she caught her breath.
              “Oh, my boy.  I
have not heard of such chivalry since my father’s days.  It does me good to see
a man after my own heart.  Chivalry is not dead!” he said with a raised
fist, as if challenging the gods to dispute him.
              “I knew you would
be thrilled.” Constance smiled prettily at Alex and her father.
              “You must allow me
to extend my hospitality to you.  I will brook no argument,” he said,
attempting a stern face, a smile threatening.
              Bronson had remained
in the background during the exchange, silent, but not forgotten, leastwise not
by Alex.  She studied him from the corner of her eye.  His anger and disgust
was a palpable thing.  If she were to have any trouble, it would come from him,
she knew.
              It seemed hours had
passed since her arrival at Derwin Hall, but in a short amount of time she had
already sealed her fate, caught in a mire so like quicksand it was shocking. 
Of course, she could turn this to her advantage.  Before her adventure, she had
learned her cousins’ castle was not far from this place.  Lord Derwin would
undoubtedly know of his neighbors.
              The situation was
not completely abhorrent--Saints!, what could she be thinking?  She was far
outnumbered here, her danger of being exposed had increased exponentially.
What’s more, they were seeming enemies of her family, though she’d give her eye
teeth to know why.
              No, she could not
stay.  When the first chance to escape arose, she would take it.  Until that
time, she could not appear rude, lest she arouse their suspicion.
              “If it would please
milord, the honor is all mine,”  she said, a hand placed over her heart as she
made a sweeping bow.
              Bronson grunted
from the corner, the arrogant son of a jackal.  Doubtless he would take
pleasure in her exposure and certain torture to follow.
              “Good my boy.  My
sons welcome you as well.”  He gave Bronson a meaningful look.
              “W-we have not had
formal