The Seduction (Unexpected Circumstances #2) Read Online Free PDF

you…um…ready to enter, my lady?” the guard questioned quietly.
    “Yes,” I replied, my voice equally as soft.
    He nodded once, then met his counterpart at the center of the doors and swiftly pulled them apart.  I took one last deep breath, tried to hold up my head, and walked quickly into the grand room.
    As soon as I entered, all eyes turned to me, and the room was drenched in complete and total silence.
    Not knowing if the quiet was to be expected or not, I continued walking swiftly, but as my eyes met the expressions of some of the people in the room, my stride began to slow as a chilling sense of dread started at my shoulders and cascaded over my body, making me feel heavy, as if I had donned a suit of armor.
    Indeed, I was beginning to wish I had.
    On the far side of the table, away from the others, was Kimberly with Nelle at her side.  They had both changed their dresses and now wore matching cream and rose-colored dresses with high collars and long sleeves.  Nothing but the very tops of their necks was exposed.
    As soon as I saw them, I knew.  I knew before I ever shifted my gaze to Ida’s shocked expression, the look on the face of the King of Silverhelm, the wide-open mouth of his queen, and my husband’s furious eyes.
    “Excuse me a moment.” Branford’s dark voice floated over the table and down the hallway to my ears.  He stood, tossing whatever had been in his hand down to the table as he shoved his chair back, circled the end of the table, and stalked toward me.  I took an involuntary step backwards as he approached and cringed as he reached me, took me roughly by the arm, pulled me down the hallway, and yanked me through the doorway.   Once we were in the corridor beyond, Branford turned abruptly, his fingers digging into the flesh of my arm through the sleeve of this obviously inappropriate dress, and hauled me up the stairway toward the private wing of Branford’s family.
    “There can only be so many accidents , Alexandra,” he hissed low in my ear.  “I don’t know what it is you are trying to accomplish, but we’re going to have to have a little discussion regarding your loyalties.”
    And that is when I knew some people truly couldn’t be trusted.

Chapter 2—Profusely Apologize
    Branford half walked, half dragged me back to our chambers as my mind whirled.  His harsh words under his breath sent shivers down my spine—and not the same kind of shivers I had experienced the night before.  I couldn’t speak.  I couldn’t swallow, and I could barely draw breath.  I couldn’t hear every word he said, growling under his breath, but what I did hear chilled my heart.
    Scheming.
    Traitorous.
    Liar.
    When we reached the door to our rooms, Branford threw it open and pushed me inside.  My body screamed for me to run—either back out the door or at least to the other side of the room—but my mind knew the action would be fruitless.  With a push from Branford’s palm on my back, I was jarred against the wall in the morning room.
    Before I could turn, I heard Branford’s roar followed by a crashing sound, and I nearly threw myself right out the eastward-facing window.  He had lifted one of the couches and thrown it into the wall near the fireplace, breaking off chunks of the wooden legs and causing it to collapse in a heap.  I could see his hands grabbing for the small table next to the door right before he flung it toward me.  It splintered into pieces against the stone, and I finally found my voice long enough to scream.
    “I just want to know how”—Branford snarled as he slowly stalked closer—“how in the world did you do it?  How did you get me to pick you?  Did Edgar plant nothing but spies in his audience?  Tell me!”
    He grabbed a large log from the stack near the fire and flung it into the shutters of the window, causing further damage as he marched across the room.  He towered over me as I raised my arms up to protect my head and face.
    “Please,