A Most Inconvenient Wish Read Free Page A

stepped forward and pulled her against the warmth of his body. His arms wrapped around her, trapping her against his hard body. He held her there, perfectly still. Panic rolled over her like a cold wave of seawater. Terror fueled her fight as she shoved at him, punched him, shoved at him to free herself from his grasp. “No.”
    He released her immediately.
    She hated the look on his face. She’d seen that look countless times, the pain, confusion, even anger. She stepped back from him, her chest heaving from terror, and moved toward the safety of the door. “Stay away from me.”
    He held up his hands. “I’m not going to hurt you. I promise.”
    She looked out at the rain. The storm raged outside as her fear raged inside her. She had thought she was beyond being afraid of such situations.
    â€œSophia, sweetheart, move away from the door. You might get hurt if you stay there.”
    His voice was soft, gentle, sad. Sophia’s mind knew not to be afraid of Ian. In the three years she’d known him, he had never been anything but a gentleman. She stepped back into the center of the small shed but still kept some distance between them.
    â€œDo you want to talk about it?”
    â€œNo.” Angry tears burned her eyes. She thought she was beyond this. She thought she had control over her reactions.
    â€œYou’re still freezing. At least take my coat.” Ian removed his damp wool coat. “May I put it around your shoulders?”
    She nodded. He stepped close to her slowly and draped the coat around her shoulders.
    â€œThank you.”
    Slowly, her fears started to calm. Her teeth stopped chattering and she started to feel warmer. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œThere is nothing to be sorry about. I’m sorry I frightened you.” Ian was leaning against the wall of the outside of the building. “I would not have hurt you.”
    She pulled in a deep breath. “I know that, Mr. McDonald.”
    The questions were there on his face. He wanted to know why she had reacted this way. She didn’t want to discuss it, especially with him. She turned to continue watching the storm, focusing on the time between the lightning flashes and the thunder, anything to avoid that expectant look on his face. Sophia opened the door just a bit to peer out. “I think the storm is finally passing. We should be able to leave in just a few more minutes.”
    â€œMatthews tells me you are expecting guests from Town. When do they arrive?”
    A safe topic. She almost sagged with relief. She felt humiliated enough without having to explain it all to him. And he would eventually demand an explanation. He wouldn’t be able to let it go until he knew all her secrets. “Tomorrow, I believe.”
    â€œHow many in the party?”
    â€œIt shall be Lord Bateman and his sister, Lady Catherine, and two others.
    â€œA small party, then. Good.”
    Sophia was looking forward to seeing Lord Bateman, but Catherine Grayson was the most unpleasant person. Sophia knew she herself could be unpleasant occasionally, but not mean like Catherine. There were many young ladies who were terrified of Catherine. She could make or break their Season with just one cutting remark. Lady Catherine disapproved of Lord Bateman’s attentions to her.
    â€œDo all dark, closed spaces affect you like that?” Ian’s voice cut through her thoughts.
    Drat; he wasn’t going to let it go. Sophia had no intention of discussing such a personal memory with him. “That is part of it.”
    â€œIs the other part me?”
    She could hear the distress in his voice. “It’s not personal.”
    â€œYou fought to get out of my arms. How can it not be personal?”
    â€œIt is an old wound—do I have to open it up here and now?”
    He winced at the sharpness of her tone, but perhaps he would get the point that she had no intention of discussing this with him