The Stolen Bride Read Free Page A

disconcerting. “Could you tell me a little more about Stenby Castle?” she asked quickly. “Jane has conveyed some of its history in her letters but I have a very unclear picture. Is it truly medieval?”
    He settled in his seat and stretched his legs. Beth had to move slightly to ensure her skirt was not in contact with his boots. When she thought of her previous journeys on a crowded stage, her unease with the slightest contact seemed ridiculous.
    “That’s difficult to say, Mrs. Hawley,” he replied easily. She knew he had noted her move and was amused. A truly infuriating man. “Most of the external walls date back to at least the fourteenth century but the Kyles haven’t done without their comforts. Arrow slits have become windows, fireplaces have been improved. Walls have been covered with tapestries, paneling, and wallpaper. Apart from the Great Hall, which is hardly used, the house appears very like any gentleman’s seat.” He leaned forward and she hastily leaned back.
    He was merely gazing out of the window.
    “If you look carefully,” he said, “you can catch your first glimpse of the place through those trees.”
    Forgetting her concerns Beth quickly moved forward to share the view.
    “Over on that rise,” said Sir Marius close to her ear.
    Then Beth saw Stenby Castle in the distance, crenelated gray stone walls softened by greenery and set with glittering windows. As the coach bowled along, she sat and watched the place gradually fall behind a screen of trees. She became aware of Sir Marius’s breath warm on her cheek.
    Startled, she turned to face him and surprised a look of enigmatic amusement. She drew back into her seat feeling far more flustered than was reasonable.
    “A charming prospect,” she said hurriedly.
    “Decidedly,” he drawled. “But not in the common run.”
    “Of course not. Most earls do not have castles for their principal seats.”
    “Certainly most people prefer the younger, the more fashionable standard of beauty,” he said in a manner she could only take as teasing, though she could not see what there was to joke about.
    “Do you think so?” she queried. “I thought there was a decided taste for the Gothic these days.”
    “Gothic?” he echoed with a grin. “Do you really think that description fair?”
    Beth could not remember ever having been so off-balance. She was used to handling events with calm competence and yet this man, in some way, was making her feel dizzy. He was also talking nonsense.
    “I know some people use ‘Gothic’ in a pejorative sense, Sir Marius,” she said sharply, “but surely it can be used more exactly. A medieval castle must have elements of the Gothic.”
    “Time will tell,” he drawled. “It certainly promises to be an entertaining visit—” He broke off as the horses were suddenly pulled up.
    As soon as the coach stopped he swung open the door. “What’s amiss?”
    “Coach off the road, Sir Marius,” said Kinnock. “Grigson’s just gone to see if they need help.”
    Sir Marius turned back. “I’ll see what’s going on,” he said and jumped down onto the road.
    Not at all unwilling to stretch her legs, Beth followed. He turned back and moved to help her down.
    Beth felt a decided reluctance to allow him to swing her to the ground, but it would be a long jump for her and she could hardly order him to let down the steps. Two strong hands nearly spanned her waist, and she was lifted down as if she were a feather. She was used to being small, but this man made her feel positively childlike and she didn’t like it one bit. At least he didn’t linger to tease her again but went straight to the other carriage.
    It appeared to be a hired coach, not new or smart. It had apparently lost a wheel on the bend and toppled. The driver was struggling with the panicked horse and Grigson moved quickly to cut the tangled harness. Sir Marius went over to the coach and Beth followed.
    “What passengers?” he called out to the