The Price of Freedom Read Online Free Page B

offense against her father and against God.
    She looked at Rodney now and he seemed unaffected by her distress. She had given herself to a man who had no honor. He was smiling and she realized that his seduction had been planned all along. To ensure that she would have to marry him. Did he even love her? She doubted it. The thought of it, the breath-stealing ache of knowledge, threatened to take her to her knees. Her virtue, gone. Forever. And to a man who didn’t truly love her!
    But Kathryn knew that she must accept some responsibility for what she done. Rodney was not solely to blame. And she wanted no more bloodshed or violence.
    â€œIt isn’t me you want, is it?” she asked, sure that her heart couldn’t hurt worse. She fought to keep her chin up, her eyes steady. She had to face this.
    â€œMarrying you will be no hardship, Kathryn. And it will bring me a title and wealth. The fees from the river crossing alone will make us very wealthy.”
    The river crossing. Papa and Rodney discussed the issue more than once and Papa was quite opposed to the idea. No wonder he hadn’t given Rodney an answer until he was certain how Kathryn felt. Papa would not stand in the way of her happiness, she knew. But she seriously doubted that Rodney would make her happy. Not if he could harm someone the way he’d just lashed out at Fergus. Not if he could lie to her with his words and with his body in order to claim what he wanted. And she’d fallen for his lies, fallen as far as a women could fall.
    But did she have the courage to turn Rodney away after last night? No other man would claim her, a used woman! But what was the alternative? Life with a man she could not trust?
    Calling on God for the strength to see this through, she said with a shaking voice, “Leave Homelea, Rodney. I will not agree to marry a man who has so little honor.”
    â€œDon’t be foolish. You cannot undo what’s been done. I will speak to your father.” He spun on his heel and stalked toward the keep.
    She ran after him tugging his arm until he shook her hand off and stopped. “My father will not make me marry against my will, Rodney.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œIf you tell him what we did, I will paint you as the worst sort of seducer of an innocent maid. I will not agree to marry you and you will have gained the animosity of the Earl of Homelea. Papa is old and in poor health, but his name still counts for something at Edward’s court.”
    Her last words got Rodney’s attention—he valued his relationship with England’s king above all else. “Are we to forget all that transpired between us, Kathryn? I care for you, though you seem to find that hard to believe.”
    How she wanted to believe him.
    â€œIf you find yourself with child, send for me.”
    She recoiled. “With child?”
    â€œYes, it isn’t beyond possibility. I am not completely without honor, Kathryn. If there is a child I would want to do the right thing, despite our differences.”
    He sounded so sincere, so . . . hopeful. But of course, he sounded hopeful—a babe would give him exactly what he wanted—a way to force her to his will. A way to claim her and Homelea.
    His charming idea for a picnic suddenly looked far less innocent. “Our picnic today—’twas just a way to get me alone and charm me into ensuring there would be child, wasn’t it?”
    He did not deny it.
    Devastated that she’d ever thought herself in love with a man who would use his own child to further his ambitions, she said, “Leave before I tell my father what a charming deceiver you are.”
    â€œVery well, Kathryn. I will go quietly, this time. But rest assured I will return one day to claim Homelea.” He strode to the keep to retrieve his baggage.
    To claim Homelea. Not to claim Kathryn, but the title and the land.
    With a heavy heart Kathryn returned to the stable to help