The Reluctant Bride (Regency Undone) Read Online Free PDF Page A

carelessly back against the door, placing one hand either side of her so that she could not escape.
    ‘Not so fast little one,’ he taunted softly.  ‘You’ll have to do better than that to avoid your fate.’
     ‘And what do you intend to do now?’ she spat.  ‘Force me into submission despite your promises?’
    His hand moved to undo the pins in her hair so that it tumbled free and unhindered around her shoulders.  He seemed mesmerised by it. 
    ‘I do not think somehow that will be necessary ...’ he murmured, tangling his fingers in the soft strands and tugging gently. ‘You are a passionate woman, Sophia, and I do believe your body is not as averse to mine as you might wish me to think.  I believe when the time comes ... you will be begging me to take you.’ 
    ‘ Pah!  In your imaginations, Sir!’  
    She stiffened as he suddenly leaned into her, closing the gap between them.    ‘Wh ... what are you doing?’
    She felt his hands sliding down the folds of her dress, reaching round to where the material clung to her buttocks.  She went rigid as he drew her into him.  She knew little of these things – only what her friend Isabelle had told her – and that had terrified her.  What a fool she had been to so aggravate him!  She needed to diffuse the situation; gain herself some time. 
    ‘My Lord!  Ralph ...I beg of you ... I ... I will try to get used to you I promise.  I ... I will make more effort ... I just need ... time.’
    ‘Your time has run out...’ 
    His voice was husky, his eyes intent as they stared into hers, and then his lips were lowering to hers, covering them in a warm searching kiss.
    ‘Open your mouth to me,’ he muttered against her lips.
    She yanked her head to the side, trying to ignore the strange sensation that was invading her lower limbs where he was pressing into her. 
    ‘Never!  If you are a man who breaks his word better I find out now,’ she spat. ‘So I may be better prepared for what to expect from the rest of my marriage!’
    He captured her face in his hands forcing her to look at him.
    ‘And are you a woman who breaks her word Sophia?  You promised to be my wife, to bear my children – that was our agreement.’
    ‘But you said there was no hurry.  You said you had no particular desire to make love to a woman whose heart was given to another.’
    It wasn’t exactly true - she had no heart to give.  But it had served her purpose to let him believe that – it had made her feel that at least she had some control over the new life that was being thrust upon her.   Some power over the man who otherwise held all the cards.
    ‘I find I have changed my mind,’ Ralph countered carelessly.  ‘And whilst I agreed I would not force you I did not say, that I might not offer a little … encouragement to speed the process up.’
     Sophia hesitated, relieved that at least they were talking now rather than … than …
    ‘I will keep my word,’ she said hastily.  ‘Only ... please ... I need just a little more time.’
     ‘ Ye Gods .’
    Ralph banged his head on the door frame in frustration.  ‘You would drive a man to distraction with your wiles.  I have been patient enough Sophia.  And how am I to know I can trust you if I do as you ask?’
    The look she gave him was steady despite the hint of desperation in it.  ‘I give you my word Sir – and I will keep it.’
     
    She was beguiling him .  Just like the owner of those other blue eyes had done all those years ago.  He shouldn’t listen ... shouldn’t give her this power over him.
    He closed his eyes, his pent up frustration raging.  But his anger was evaporating and with it came the realisation that a step had been taken after weeks of impasse – even if it was a very small one. 
    And the thought of her coming to him willingly ... perhaps letting him show her how the act of love-making could be enjoyed...
    ‘ Very well,’ he bit out stiffly. ‘I will give you a little