The Crimson Bed Read Online Free Page B

tone that offended her, 'I don't think we should mention it yet. I've told you enough times. Please say nothing about it. Promise me?'
        'I have promised, Alfie, a hundred times, but I can't see why .'
        'You know what your father is like. He thinks you're still his baby girl and would put a stop to our meeting together even with a dozen chaperones. It's getting harder to elude your frightful Miss Perrin as it is. Thank God, the wretched woman is visiting her mother today.'
        'Oh, Alfie, Miss Perrin is a dear, kind lady! Don't be so unkind.'
        'Unkind! You don't know the half of it. I'd like to wring her neck when I see her watching us so closely these days and pursing her lips the way she does. As for your father, he wouldn't even consider an engagement as yet. On top of that, Father as good as said Joshua Farnham had other plans for you. It quite troubled me, his saying that.'
        'Sometimes I think my parents never want me married at all,' said Ellie gloomily.
        'That's nonsense and you know it is, my love. The simple fact is that you're still too young. Plus, I have to prove myself a little, you know, get myself a career, show your father what I'm made of and all that. . . mustn't I?'
        'You don't need to, Alfie. Papa knows you. He knows you'll be Lord Dillinger one day and Oreton Hall will be yours. Why on earth would he expect you to prove anything to him as if you were some penniless fortune hunter?'
        Alfie took her hands in his and turning them over planted a kiss in each palm. He said solemnly, 'I have to prove myself. Myself to myself. Myself to the world. Don't you see that?'
        Ellie pouted and pulled her hands away.
        'No. I don't see it. You've passed your exams beautifully; you always excel at everything you want to do. You'll go into politics and probably end up being Prime Minister if you put your mind to it. You will always win, always. I certainly don't want proof of anything you can do because I know full well you're good, brave and clever. What I want is proof of your love.'
        'God, I've proved it enough times, haven't I? Haven't I proved I'm a man?'
        'Oh!' She shook herself free of him and rose from the grassy knoll where they sat. 'You think that's proof! Well, a man might think so but you can do – that – with anyone. Prove your love by asking for my hand.'
        'I can "do that with anyone"!' Alfie said, stung. He rose to face her. 'Damn it, Ellie, that's a terrible thing to say. As if I go whoring every other Sunday! We were both virgins and you're the only girl I've ever lain with. I swear it. You believe me, don't you? So don't insult me like this. Isn't the pleasure and joy we've known meaningful to you, then? Is it just that I'm one day to be Lord Dillinger that you care about?'
        'No! You know it isn't! That's not important to me, Alfie. I love you... '
        'I don't believe you.'
        She had offended him and reached out a hand to touch his arm. He turned away, looking hurt and angry. They understood one another so well. Why were they now at odds, squabbling over something that was surely important to them both? It was nothing less than their whole future together.
        'Alfie, don't turn away from me, it makes me so miserable and sad when you do that,' she pleaded. 'You know I love you. You're like my life-blood, my heart and soul. Of course, our loving has been beautiful, forgive me. But I'm always afraid of being caught. I want it to be right, to be legal, to be in... in the Crimson Bed!'
        He turned and laughed at this, taking her into his arms again, pressing her close to him and kissing her. 'In that old monster,' he murmured, 'we're not having that in our house.'
        'Why not? We must, it's an inheritance in the female line. One day I'll pass it to my daughter.'
        'Y our daughter?' he teased. 'Won't she be mine too?'
        'Oh, of course, you fool,' she