Going Rogue Read Online Free PDF Page A

lately. There’s been quite the demand for our services with the war and all.”
    “America,” Derek repeated. He couldn’t imagine a more ideal location in which to start his new life.
    “Yes, America,” the man said again. “We have one more position to fill. But I’ll warn you now—we’re not your typical shipping company.”
    Derek took a deep breath. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered anymore.
    “When do we sail?”
    Meredith ran to her room, tears threatening to spill over at any moment. She slammed the door closed, then crumpled to the floor, clutching the ring within her fist. She opened her hand and admired the piece of green cut glass at its center, then slipped it on her finger. Light reflected off the gold, two crests engraved on either side, a brief glimpse into the future she might have had with the man who loved her.
    The man she loved.
    No reason to hold back any longer, the tears flowed freely now. She was safe inside her room, hidden away from the judgment of her aunt, of the Ribbons.
    Derek’s familiar blue eyes evoked a flood of memories that had all but washed away her last semblance of reason. It had taken every ounce of strength she possessed not to cling to him, to beg him never to leave.
    Turning him away had been the hardest thing she’d ever done—but something she knew was necessary. That day on the stairs, he’d not only stolen a kiss, but her entire heart. She would have stayed with him forever if he’d asked. But he hadn’t. Instead, he’d insisted she go to London, just like her mother had. She hadn’t wanted to leave either one of them, but deep inside she knew it was the only way. Her own father had died during her infancy and her mother’s second husband just up and disappeared one day, leaving behind nothing but a stack of debts and a heap of bad memories. There would be no one else to come to their rescue.
    She’d done what was best for her family, even if that meant giving up her past for the hope of creating a future for her and her mother. She’d severed her friendship from Derek just like Aunt Cynthia had encouraged her to do; cleanly and completely in order to spare herself any more pain.
    A knock at the door startled her. She quickly stood, wiped at her face, then hid her hands behind her back. “Come in,” she announced.
    Cynthia strode into the room. “Darling, I saw him leave. Are you all right?” Her aunt opened her arms wide in invitation.
    Meredith took a step back, avoiding the embrace. “Couldn’t be better.”
    Cynthia set her hands atop her shoulders. “You did the right thing—I’m proud of you.”
    For having done the right thing, Meredith was quite certain she’d never felt worse.
    “Have you been crying?” It was more of an accusation than a question. “You’re not crying about that boy are you?”
    She shook her head. “It’s just a bit of homesickness, that’s all. Sometimes I miss my life there,” she mused. With Derek . “Maybe if I could go home, just for a few days . . . to see my mother?”
    Cynthia cupped her cheek. “I don’t think that’s the best idea. You’re just now hitting your stride with the Ribbons and you’re close to becoming one of the most desired women in all of London. Think of all the suitors—gentlemen who could easily take care of you, your mother, and me. With my guidance and your beauty, you’ll do better than any woman in this family ever has.”
    “Even better than Aunt Lydia?”
    Cynthia dropped her hand. “You’re far better than Lydia ever was. She squandered every opportunity and betrayed her family, something I know you’ll never do.”
    Meredith didn’t need her to elaborate. She already knew the story well, having heard it countless times before.
    “I should be getting back downstairs,” Meredith said, forcing a smile for her aunt’s benefit.
    “Of course.” Cynthia placed a light kiss on both her cheeks. “Do try and cheer up. Perhaps later I can take you shopping? That