Unspoken Love Read Online Free Page B

realized the consequences if she didn’t cooperate. She didn’t want to upset her father and see him regress. As crazy as it seemed, her father would probably be thrilled at the news. Just last week he had offered to find her a suitable husband and even suggested Blake Preston as a possible suitor. Her father was forever meddling in her affairs, but she knew he meant well. She recalled telling him that Blake and she were friends. Now, standing before her is a gentleman of some wealth who could offer her security.
    She gazed up at Nicholas. He focused on her with intensity, waiting for an answer. She made one more effort to keep him out of her life. “Surely you can find someone more compatible. If you recall, Mr. Grant, I was an innocent victim the other night. It was you who detained me in bed in an attempt to defile me.”
    “But you, dear Jennifer Morgan, came to my chamber and got into my bed wearing only your unmentionables. That’s not very becoming of a lady of respectability.”
    Jenny cringed at his stinging words and again thought of Molly’s warning. I am not a harlot ! A vexed expression stole over her features as his proposal drummed in her head. He is demanding that I become his bride !
    “Do you realize what you are asking of me? To leave my home and take up residence with you?”
    “I do.”
    “How do I know Father won’t have a relapse if I tell him I’m engaged?”
    “Wouldn’t it bother him more if he thought you had been in bed with me?”
    She knew Nicholas was immovable. An idea inched its way into her thoughts. If she did, in fact, marry Nicholas and he paid her for being his temporary wife, she would have enough money to open the women’s boutique she had been dreaming of. After some serious contemplation, she sighed with resignation. “You win,” she said, barely above a whisper. Her manner changed, and she eyed him with contempt. “Don’t think to exercise any husbandly rights. I fully expect to leave this marriage as I came.”
    Nicholas tossed his head back in laughter. His throaty deep voice caused Jenny’s face to cloud with anger.
    “Don’t worry your pretty little head. I’m entering into a business venture with you. I don’t need to marry someone to sleep with them.” She reflected on their arrangement as he continued, “We’ll go to your father’s home together, and you will introduce me as your fiancé. Tell your father we will marry within the week.”
    “A week?” Jenny exclaimed.
    “Correct.” He grinned. “Did anyone ever tell you the tip of your nose twitches when you pronounce certain words?”
    “We have more important things to discuss than my nose.”
    Nicholas chuckled and gazed down at her.
    “I like your spirit.” He softened toward her, but only for a moment. “Let’s get going. The sooner I marry you, the quicker I gain my rightful inheritance.”
    Hurt and angry, Jenny’s thoughts ran rampant as she guided Bessie up the steep lane leading to the farm. As the wagon wheels churned homeward, she reflected on her dilemma. When she had set out for Greenville the other day, she certainly hadn’t expected a marriage proposal from a stranger! How could she go through with this farce? Nicholas was forcing her to take sacred vows that only those in love should pledge. He would have his way, and she could do little about it for she loved her father above all else and would not see him suffer.
    When they arrived at Jennifer’s home, William, the stable hand, came from the barn. Jenny sent the dedicated worker a genuine smile. He treated her as if she were his own kin. “Hello, Miss Morgan, welcome home,” he said kindly. He nodded to Nicholas, then guided Bessie to the stables. Unhitching her from the wagon, he loudly remarked, “Land sakes, Bessie, you look like you’ve been wallowing with pigs! You got mud caked from one end to the other! I’ll be all day scrubbing you down.” He reached into his pocket, brought out an apple, and shined it on