Sweet Silken Bondage Read Online Free PDF Page B

a charade of
happiness for their guests with the smiling, gloating
Nathan at her side. When the crowd of well-wishers
who'd gathered around the happy couple had dispersed, she'd been helpless to object as the blondhaired American businessman had maneuvered her
out onto the patio for a few minutes alone. Reina had tried to maintain her calm, but when Nathan had
boldly kissed her and then attempted to caress her, she
had fought him tooth and nail. Reina had had her fair
share of kisses from her many suitors, but there had
been something about Nathan's touch that had repulsed her, and she wasn't quite sure why.

    Reina grimaced inwardly now, as the memory of his
derisive laugh and taunting words "Don't worry, Reina, I
can wait for our wedding night. You'll be mine soon enough!"
echoed threateningly through her. Again, Reina shivered, and, realizing that Maria was talking to her, she
dragged her thoughts away from the misery of that
night.
    "I don't understand how you can say Nathan Marlow
is disgusting," Maria was saying. "I've seen him, and
he's not an ugly man."
    "If you think he's so handsome, you marry him!"
Reina told her heatedly, knowing she would never be
able to stand having him touch her again.
    "Reina! You know I'll never marry! I was just saying
that Nathan's not unattractive. He's rich, too, isn't he?"
    "I don't need money, and I certainly don't need a
husband!" Reina faced her friend, her eyes flashing
with indignation. "I just don't know how my father
could have done this to me! How could he have pledged
me in marriage without first considering my feelings?"
    "It's true, this doesn't sound like your father," Maria
agreed, puzzled. "Did you try to talk to him about it?"
    "I tried, but he wouldn't listen!"
    "What reason did he give you for his sudden decision
that you should marry?"
    "That's what's so strange. He wouldn't give me a
reason. He just said that it was time I got married and
that Nathan was perfect for me. I'm only nineteen,
Maria, hardly a spinster!" Reina agonized. "I've always
dreamed of marrying for love, but now..."
    "Is there some other way you can make your point
with him?" Maria suggested hopefully, trying to dis courage her from this wild scheme she'd concocted.
Yet, even as she tried to dissuade Reina, she knew her
obstinate friend was not about to be deterred.

    "No, I've tried everything already. When Father
locked me in my room and-"
    "I don't believe it! He locked you in your room?"
Maria was shocked. She had known Luis Alvarez all
her life, and it was not like him to be so harsh with his
daughter.
    "Yes, and he threatened to keep me there until I
agreed to do as he ordered." Reina felt suddenly tired,
and she sat down on the small bed. "I stayed there for
one whole day, but it didn't sway him at all. When I
tried to talk with him again, he still refused to listen to
reason. That's when I knew I had to do something
drastic just to let him know how serious I was."
    "So you came here..."
    "It took me almost a full day of traveling by horseback, but it was worth it. Father will never look for me
here, and, with this disguise, I should be able to make
it safely to New Orleans. I have friends there who'll
help me."
    "You're planning on traveling to New Orleans
alone?"
    "I am." She bristled at her friend's unspoken criticism. Nothing was going to stop her from escaping the
fate her father had planned for her, nothing!
    "But you can't!" Maria insisted, coming to sit beside
her. "It isn't safe for you to travel unescorted."
    "God will be my escort," she replied with flourish.
"I'm a nun now, remember? No one's going to bother
me."
    "I wish I could be as sure as you are."
    "You can be sure, Maria. Nothing's going to happen
to me." A rueful smile curved Reina's lips as she stared
down at the relatively shapeless garment she wore. She
had always prided herself on her extensive wardrobe,
making it a point to be perfecdy gowned for every occasion.