Love Me Always Read Online Free PDF

to talk with you is because I feel it’s my responsibility to inform you about my uncle.” He paused briefly to collect his thoughts. “Has anyone told you he’s ill?”
    She nodded. “Gregg and Ian mentioned he’s been under the weather lately, which is the reason he couldn’t come for me himself.”
    “Unfortunately, it’s more serious than that. I don’t think Gregg or Ian know exactly how ill our uncle is.”
    “How serious is he?”
    Nick pushed his fingers through the thickness of his hair and relaxed against the seat, meeting her big, questioning violet eyes. “Uncle Grant is dying.”
    She sucked in her breath. Even Mrs. Berkley snapped her head his way.
    He continued in a softer tone. “He has been sick for the past year, and his health is slowly declining. Lately, he’s been so gravely ill he’s needed the constant care of his personal nurse.”
    “Why?” Catherine’s voice broke.
    “For some reason, the disease is slowly taking away his sight.”
    Her hands trembled so she clutched them together and held them against her stomach. “How…how…long....”
    “I don’t know and neither do the physicians.”
    She shook her head. “If he’s dying, then why...why does he still want to marry me?”
    He shrugged. “I cannot answer that. My uncle realizes he’s dying, but he will not listen to me. I have tried to get him to see the situation he’s placing you in, but he refuses to listen. He says he wants his last days to be shared with a beautiful woman who will make him happy.”
    An ashen color crept over her cheeks and her eyes grew wide.
    His heart clenched. She did care about his uncle. What an idiot Nick had been to assume otherwise. Grant had spoiled her as a young girl, even sent her to the best finishing school England had to offer.
    “Catherine, might I ask you a personal question?”
    “Yes.”
    “I have already mentioned I could hear your voice raised in anger when I first arrived at your cottage.”
    The color moved to cover the rest of her face, going a shade darker.
    “Although I couldn’t hear every word, I received the impression you were not pleased with something.”
    Mrs. Berkley straightened and cleared her throat. He really wished she’d leave, but he didn’t want his ears verbally boxed again. Catherine glanced at her companion before meeting his eyes.
    “Indeed, I was displeased.” Her voice softened.
    “What are your feelings in regards to marrying the duke?”
    She lowered her gaze as she grasped her hands so tight her knuckles turned white. “I’m extremely disappointed to think my parents arranged my intended marriage without my consent.”
    He nodded. “As I’m certain you have surmised, I also disapprove of my uncles forthcoming nuptials. But I need to know if you will put your fears and anger aside and make Uncle Grant happy in his final days.”
    He snapped his mouth closed. What had he just asked? Did he really mean that? Yet as much as he disliked seeing the girl of his childhood dreams marry someone else, Grant Fielding’s happiness was most important.
    She blinked her wide eyes. “I—I—I was led to believe that my visit would be to see if the duke and I suited.”
    “Yes, I know, but if the marriage takes place, will you then try to make him happy? I remember several years back when we had come to visit and he brought you gifts. Just seeing your smile brightened his day.”
    Tears formed in her eyes and her jaw tightened. “Yes. I shall try my best to please him.” Her voice shook.
    Nick released a heavy sigh and squeezed her clasped hands. “Thank you, Catherine.”
    “May I now ask you something of a personal nature?”
    Wary about her request, he slowly nodded. “Proceed.”
    “I know I have done something to upset you, but for your uncle’s sake can you at least try and be civil toward me? Can you not look at me without scowling?”
    He snatched his hand away. He couldn’t promise that. Hiding his broken heart behind the wall of