Rowena Through the Wall: Expanded Edition Read Online Free Page B

have disgraced me and the memory of your mother. God help you."
    Grandfather gave me a tortured look. "Rowena, I am in despair at how we have treated you. But there is no other way to fix this. You will be married at noon. Forgive us all."
    Looking a hundred years old, he strode out the door. All the air seemed to whoosh out of the room with him.
    I was so embarrassed, I wanted to die. Or at least wake up.
    "That went rather well," Ivan said with satisfaction.
    I stared at him in disbelief. "You wanted us to be found?"
    Fastening his belt and looking too darn pleased with himself, he said, "It's better this way, with him as witness. There can be no doubting the word of the Earl of Huel. And best that it wasn't Cedric, because then there would have been a fight. Although I wouldn't mind having a good go at him."
    He leapt onto the bed and drew me to him. "Rowena, we are so good together, even better than I could imagine. You are beautiful, too beautiful to be real, and I worship you. We will be married at noon. I will protect you forever." He kissed me, a deep languorous kiss that reached right down into my womb.
    "Dawn is breaking," he said, pulling away. "Get dressed, my love, and I shall see you downstairs in one hour. There is something I must do." He blew me a kiss from the doorway and then he was gone.
    I sat up, clutching the sheets to my neck. How did that man have so much energy after all we had been through? Honestly, I could've slept for days. I looked around for the cat and found her pawing at the drapes beside the window. Below the drapes, the toes of two dirty boots moved slightly.
    Great. There had been another witness to the night's activities.
    I sighed. "You can come out now."
    The boots stopped moving.
    "Any time now," I said dryly.
    The drapes parted, revealing a red-faced Richard.
    "How long have you been hiding there?"
    He looked away. "Before Ivan arrived to protect you."
    "Damn," I said, recalling that faint breeze earlier. "Well, I hope you got an eyeful."
    "Yes, Ma'am."
    "Ri chard, I―" To my horror, tears rolled down my face.
    "Please don't cry, Rowena. I didn't mean you any harm. I only wanted to make sure you were safe. I didn't mean to watch, but …" His voice trailed off. "The men talk all the time about being with a woman, and I have never…"
    To my despair, the tears continued to fall.
    "Ivan's a good man," Richard said. "The best. I know it was wrong of him, but he loves you, I'm certain. He'll make you a good husband."
    I wiped my nose on the sheet. "I'm so embarrassed. What must you think of me?"
    Wanton hussy was the phrase that came to mind.
    "I think you're wonderful. I only wish I were five years older, like Ivan."
    My heart gave a tug. "That's sweet."
    "Please don't tell anyone I was here. Ivan would kill me."
    "I won't. But don't you ever do that again."
    He nodded, his face still red. "You look like her, you know."
    "My mother?"
    "Yes, according to the painting in the Earl's bedroom. Except your hair is redder. Hers was more bronze."
    "And I'm a little bigger," I said in a flat tone.
    Richard blushed again. "Maybe, but in a good way."
    "Turn around while I get up. I need to get dressed."
    He did so, and I climbed out of bed. I'd already set out my mother's emerald dress the night before. It seemed fitting for today. I slipped it over my head. It barely fit. I sure wouldn't need a pushup bra.
    "Here, can you do me a favor and lace up the back?"
    I could feel Richard's warm fingers pulling, drawing the two laces together at the top.
    "It won't quite close," he said.
    "That's okay. My hair will cover it."
    I turned to look at my reflection in the long mirror. The dress fit snugly under my breasts and flared out in a flattering circle to the ground. The arms were long, bell shaped, and the neckline was a deep U, almost too deep. I couldn't bend over without spilling out.
    "I'm glad we're friends, Richard."
    God knows, I needed a friend.
    As I reached up to pat his shoulder, I heard a