The Star-Crossed Bride Read Free

countess. It was his duty, his obligation to her for the disaster he had brought into her life.
    He dismounted and sent the horse that he had let from the local inn back home with a sharp slap on its rump. He turned back, careful to leave the path and keep out of sight of any vigilant servants. With a sigh, he climbed a tree which gave a good overlook of the castle and the gardens which Emily had always been partial to. He did not think it necessary to watch the drive, for rumors had reached him that Lady Emily was a virtual prisoner here, though a petted and cosseted one. While she was not allowed off the grounds, the milliner, the seamstress, the bootmaker, all came to and fro to prepare her the finest trousseau for this latest wedding preparation.
    If she did not show herself in the gardens before nightfall, perhaps he could determine which room of the castle was hers. He would not climb through the window, as Rapunzel's prince had done, but surely he could find some other way of gaining entrance in order to warn her? He remembered the utter venom of her mother's final words to him.
    Would she truly ruin Juliet's chances? He could not be certain of anything except that he must warn Emily, and he must not be seen doing so.
    * * * * *
    "Have you taken leave of your senses completely?"
    "I have only just returned to them, Mother." Emily had known this would be a difficult interview with her mother, but she could not understand the countess's sudden fury. Usually her temper was slow to build — she rarely expected her only daughter to defy her and it generally took time until she understood that Emily would not be easily swayed to the countess's way.
    "You are to marry Lord Granbury in a month's time. He has been unbelievably patient to wait the year of your father's mourning for you, considering your past. Do you believe your reputation can stand another such scandal?"
    "My failed elopement is only a rumor, Mother, it was never confirmed. Neither Valentine nor the duke would be so loose lipped! As for the deaths of my former affianced, that cannot be put at my feet. Lord Matterington was, after all, quite elderly and poor Dibby was in his cups from his first day in long pants — it is only a wonder that he did not tumble from his horse sooner."
    "You are a fool if you think the rumors of that scandalous elopement are not heeded. And though you may well be blameless in the deaths of those poor men, your connections will never be forgotten. After all, most women manage to get themselves properly affianced and wed the first time they try. All Society waits to find out whether this marriage happens or not. And you want to call it off because you do not like your groom. Nonsense."
    "There is something evil about the man, Mother, not just unlikable. I believe he is dishonorable."
    "Has he done something to make you believe such a thing?"
    That was the problem. Granbury had been nothing but a gentleman. There was no reason for her skin to crawl when he was near. But it did. She could not see that argument swaying her mother, however. "No. It is a look in his eye. A way of speaking that seems to make things more confusing rather than clear, as they should be." She set her lips stubbornly, determined to make her mother understand. "I want an honorable husband. One that I can trust. One that I can come to love." Like Valentine. Not that her mother ought to hear her say such a thing out loud, else she'd likely lock her in her room and hold the ceremony tomorrow lest Emily find some way to escape.
    "Honorable? My dear, there is no such thing as an honorable man. You are much better off with a title and a fortune." She paused and peered sharply at Emily. "Has something happened . . . recently . . . to make you change your mind so disgracefully?"
    Emily squirmed under her mother's gimlet glare, wondering what awful thing the countess suspected her daughter of this time. "No, Mother. I have only just got over my grief at Father's passing."