The Price of Freedom Read Online Free

expected this; she had expected gratification, fulfillment, completion.
    Instead she felt robbed.
    PAPA WASN’T FEELING WELL the next morning and sent a servant to ask Kathryn to come to him after mass. Though the guilt continued to nag as she walked to the chapel for mass, she pushed it aside. They were in love, Papa had obviously given Rodney his blessing, and God would surely forgive her. When such thoughts did little to pacify her conscience, she vowed to resist Rodney’s temptation again until they were properly wed.
    To her surprise, Rodney attended the service and sat next to her. She smiled in satisfaction. Already their impending marriage was working good in his heart. He whisked her out of the chapel as soon as the last prayer was finished. “Rodney!” she said with a giggle, “what is this rush?”
    With a nervous smile he said, “Come. I’ve talked Cook into packing us a picnic.” He took hold of her elbow and propelled her toward the stable.
    She wrested her arm from him and stopped walking. “I must speak with my father, Rodney.”
    He scowled but quickly recovered with a charming smile. “Your father will understand if he is no longer first in your affections, love. And I am most anxious to get you alone again.”
    Rodney swung her into his arms and around a secluded corner, kissing her so passionately that she forgot about Papa, forgot about her decision to hold Rodney off until they were married. This pursuit, the thrill of desire—it was a difficult thing to say no to. No wonder the betrothed often gave up on their intentions to wait! She smiled in flirtatious, silent agreement and Rodney beamed his pleasure.
    Hand in hand they ran to the stable and were about to saddle a horse when Cook’s son, Fergus, came into the barn.
    â€œYer father wants to see ye, Lady Kathryn.”
    Rodney stepped between them. “The lady and I are going on a picnic. Tell her father she will see him when we return.”
    Fergus looked at Kathryn with uncertainty and said, “My lady?”
    Before she could respond, Rodney grasped her elbow with more force than was necessary and she nearly yelped at the pain of his grip. She attempted to pull free but he didn’t let go. “Rodney, you’re hurting me.”
    Fergus stepped closer. “My lady, are ye all right?”
    She nodded to Fergus but one look at Rodney’s furious expression and she wondered for the first time if she was, indeed, all right.
    Rodney said, “Be gone, boy. The lady will attend her father when we return.”
    Fergus stepped closer yet and stared meaningfully at Rodney’s hand where it still clamped fast to her elbow. Boldly he glared at Rodney. “I’ll not leave until ye release Kathryn’s arm and allow her to talk with her father. I don’t take my orders from ye. I take them from the earl.”
    Kathryn and Fergus had been friends all through their growing up and sometimes she and Fergus forgot that he was a servant. But Rodney wasn’t likely to forget the distinction and Kathryn knew she must defray the tension between the two men.
    â€œI’m all right, Fergus.” She turned to Rodney and said, “I will only be a few minutes with Papa. Then we can go on our picnic.” She smiled brightly, but Rodney continued to glower. His grip loosened but his resolve did not. “You’ll obey me now, Kathryn.”
    Shocked at his tone of voice, she stared at him. Fergus unwisely pushed at Rodney’s arm. “The devil she will. Who are ye to order Lady Kathryn about?”
    Shrugging off Fergus’s hand, Rodney declared, “I am the man who will be her husband.”
    â€œYe forget I was tending to the earl when ye spoke to him last evening. He didn’t seem too keen on a wedding.”
    Kathryn gasped. She fought for air, for understanding. “Is that true, Rodney? Papa did not give us his blessing?”
    Rodney