The Prince Kidnaps a Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

strong, with long arms—the kind of man no fool would attack without a pistol or a gang, and even then he would make trouble. His size probably contributed to his safety more than his poverty.
    “I don’t want to go alone.” He sighed and shuffled his feet. “I like to talk, and I hate it when there’s no one to listen.”
    It was almost completely dark. She should go in. Yet she stood limply holding the trowel, wondering how and when the idea of traveling with Arnou had occurred to her.
    “You could come with me.” He spoke so softly, so hypnotically, he might have been a voice in her mind. “I would protect you.”
    “Why would I leave the convent?” How odd to think that Arnou, of all people, could guard her from harm. Yet right now, she almost believed it.
    “Why would you want to stay? Someone’s after you here.” His deep velvet tone seduced her into a feeling of security. “It would be safer on the road. For you. For everyone. You should go.”
    Was he giving her advice? And in such a tone? Jerking her head up, she stared searchingly at him. She couldn’t see the details of his face, but something about the way he stood... He seemed to have a natural arrogance, a balance and a build natural to a fencer or a lord. Was he more than the humble fisherman he appeared?
    “This wool is itchy. I wish I had a different shirt.” With a whimper, he stared down at his chest and scratched heartily. “Do you have clothes left after the fire? Because I need a cloak for travel and maybe I could have yours. I’m scared of this place. When will you talk to Mother Brigette for me?”
    “I’ll talk to her after matins.” Sorcha stripped off her gloves and prepared to dash toward the dining hall.
    “ Merci, Mademoiselle. ” He grinned engagingly.
    She saw a flash of strong white teeth.
    He walked to the door.
    Almost without her volition, she called, “If I went with you, you’d have to swear with your hand on the Bible that you’d treat me honorably and do all in your power to protect me.”
    “I’ll swear, of course.” He sounded bewildered and hurt by her suspicions. “But I don’t hurt girls and I would never let a companion come to harm.”
    “Good.” Perhaps her courage would rise in his company. “In the morning, I’ll let you know if I decide to join you.”
     
    With her hands folded on the desk before her, Mother Brigette listened quietly as Sorcha proposed her plan. When Sorcha was finished, Mother Brigette studied the princess who had been her charge for so many years. She had seen her grow from an adolescent who cowered at a kind reprimand to this beautiful young woman, untried by life. The years of simple living had given Sorcha a serenity that glowed like pure candle flame beneath her pale complexion. Her beautiful copper-colored hair hung in a thick braid down her back, and her blue eyes showed no awareness of self. Mother Brigette and the other nuns had raised Sorcha to be one of those rare and noble beings, an innocent who saw the best in everyone.
    Perhaps, knowing what Mother Brigette knew of the world and of Sorcha’s eventual fate, that had been a mistake. But Sorcha’s grandmother had been her first teacher, and she had added the necessary reason and intelligence.
    Unfortunately, the princess was completely untested and now... well, now she would have a trial by fire. Mother Brigette had no way of foretelling what would happen to her, but she could protect Sorcha on her first steps into the world.
    “So you wish to cross the channel and travel to France with Arnou the fisherman,” Mother Brigette said. “Whose idea was this?”
    “It was mine.” Sorcha sat in the hard chair, her feet firmly on the floor, her chin lifted as if proud to point out her own bravery.
    “I see. How intelligent of you to take the initiative.”
    “Yes.” Sorcha smiled, a shy, proud smile that Mother Brigette hated to subdue.
    But she would. “You have to go, it’s true. But while I admire your