Love Me Always Read Online Free PDF Page A

laughed again, falling back on the seat and clutching their sides.
    “You cannot tell anyone,” she reminded.
    “Oh no, Catherine,” Ian promised. “This one will remain with us until our dying day.”
    She smiled. “Good. I’m blessed to have you as friends.” She waited until they had stopped laughing, then asked, “Now tell me what kind of sordid pranksters were you?”
    She sat back in her seat and listened as they each related a tale or two. She was also happy to know they weren’t like the snobbish men of wealth she’d heard stories about. Men like Nicholas. Suddenly, the image of Nicholas with dreamy eyes and tender smile interrupted her thoughts and her heart picked up a different rhythm. She thanked her lucky stars he would never look at her that way.
    * * * *
    Shouts and laughter boomed from the coach, and Nick cringed. His brothers made an obscene amount of noise, which meant they found their soon-to-be aunt very amusing. Regret stabbed at him whenever he heard the musical sounds of merriment, and at times he wished he could join them. He couldn’t. Because he was the eldest, he must take charge. Somebody needed to keep this caravan going. It fell upon his shoulders, as it always would, especially once his uncle died.
    Since Grant hadn’t fathered any children, Nick was next in line to inherit the dukedom. He wasn’t worried about stepping into his new position, but he doubted he could handle it with as much skill as Grant had. Nick hoped he could contain his out-of-control brothers and keep them from gambling away their allowances.
    Nick paused in thought and chuckled to himself. What was he thinking? His uncle was a great businessman and had tripled the family fortune since Nick was a small lad. Grant had taught Nick well, and he was confident he could continue to build his inheritance.
    But where would Catherine live after his uncle died? Nick certainly didn’t want her living in the same house with him and his brothers. What a scandal that would make. It wouldn’t matter to society if she were their step-aunt. Catherine’s young age and beauty overrode that. Yet, he couldn’t toss her out and send her elsewhere to live.
    For Nick’s own well-being he couldn’t have her that close knowing she would always be out of his grasp.
    A commotion behind him pulled him from his thoughts, and he turned. The coach stopped and his brothers climbed out. This would be a good time to have a talk with Catherine to tell her of Uncle Grant’s condition.
    He pulled his horse around and to the coach before dismounting. He ignored the drawn brows from his brothers, and tossed one of the servants the reins. Nick walked to the vehicle and peered inside. Once Catherine saw him, her cheeks darkened. His presence must still rattle her. They were evenly matched then.
    “Good afternoon,” he greeted nicely. “Is it permissible to ride with you for a spell? It’s most important we discuss some things before we reach home.”
    She nodded.
    He climbed in and sat on the seat across from her. Mrs. Berkley gave him a curt nod, then turned and looked out the window.
    For the first few moments, silence crackled through the air as he searched for the words to say. Catherine squirmed in her seat, then straightened her back and lifted her chin.
    She cleared her throat. “Are we almost there?”
    He tried to ignore the heavenly lift of her voice. “We’ll arrive at the estate first thing in the morning.”
    Her eyebrows drew together. “Do you plan on traveling through the night?”
    “No, Miss Martin. There are too many highwaymen ready to nab wealthy people once the sun sets, and I don’t plan on giving them that opportunity. We shall stop at an inn.”
    “Oh.”
    “Miss Martin, the reason I need to talk with you is—”
    “Please, call me Catherine like you did when we were younger.”
    He really didn’t want to think about those days, but nodded. “As you wish.” He swallowed hard. “Anyway, the reason I need