The Wagered Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

would elope.
    A
niggling doubt pinched her heart at the thought of hurting her father and
making a bigger mistake than he would with her life, but she had to do this.
She would not marry some lord who only wanted her for her money. She would not.
    "My
lord, someone will see us."
    Elizabeth
stopped outside the stable, recognizing the sensual female voice immediately.
Lady Odette—of all people!
    Smells
of horses and hay filled Elizabeth's nostrils as she peeked through the crack beneath
the hinge in the stable door. Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of a tall
gentleman with his arms wrapped tightly around Lady Odette's curvaceous figure.
    "One
little kiss, Dettie," he pleaded with a hint of amusement lacing his
voice.
    Dettie?
The odd silkiness of the man's tone sent Elizabeth's face flaming with embarrassment.
Yet she stood frozen, watching as the man leaned toward Odette and pressed his
lips to hers.
    Odette
giggled, pushing the hair from the man's face where dark coffee-colored locks
curled boyishly at the nape of his neck. "Stephen, you odious man."
    The
man's hearty laugh echoed in Elizabeth's ear and shot straight to her stomach.
Even from this view, she could see that he was extremely handsome.
    And for
some insane reason, whether it was the musical sound of his voice or the sudden
stab of jealousy in her own heart, Elizabeth fervently wished that the man
would know Lady Odette for what she was before it was too late.
    She
hadn't seen Odette since leaving the seminary two years ago and hoped never to
see the loathsome creature again. But Stephen looked as besotted as a little
boy receiving his first pony.
    Elizabeth
couldn't take her eyes off him. Long muscular legs filled a pair of buckskin
breeches as he stood back and studied Odette in amused silence. He crossed his
arms over his wide chest, pulling his deep brown jacket tight against his
shoulders. But it was when he grinned, baring a set of beautiful white teeth,
that Elizabeth's heart stopped.
    This was
no mere boy. This male specimen was a man of power and determination.
    Putting
a hand to her mouth, Elizabeth stumbled back not wanting to see this supreme
male make such a fool of himself. Odette could lure a man into a lion's den if
she wanted to.
    Elizabeth
knew she should leave, but this would be her only chance to snatch the rope the
groom had told her would be hanging beyond the door.
    She
hurried around the back of the stables, her mind trying to block out the
mumbled conversation inside.
    When the
voices finally ceased and she heard footsteps heading away from the stables,
thinking all was clear, she peeked in the back door and made her way inside,
stepping tightly about the hay. Still hovering in the shadows, she eyed the
rope hanging in the shaft of the sun's rays directly beyond the door—exactly
where the groom had said it would be. Her heart lifted. Then, without warning,
a strong arm grabbed her and whirled her around, hauling her up against a hard
chest.
     "Back
so soon?"
    Shocked,
Elizabeth found herself speechless as she was pulled further into the shadows.
It was Odette's suitor! Her heart hammered wildly as she fought to maintain a
calmness she didn't feel. Did he know about her elopement?
    "Nothing
to say, little one? Coming back for another kiss?"
    Before
she knew it, warm lips pressed against hers. She pushed her hands frantically
against the muscled chest that held her. The scent of bayberry assaulted her
nose, making her all too aware of the man holding her. Little one? Was
he making fun of her height and girth? She may take an extra roll at breakfast,
but this man had no right to speak to her that way.
    "Unhand
me, sir!"
    With a
jerk, he drew her into the dappled sunlight and immediately dropped his hands.
"I thought you were ... never mind."
    The
truth of the situation finally hit her like a fireball to her face. He thought
her Odette!
    "I
beg your pardon, Miss—"
    Elizabeth's
lips thinned as dark brown eyes laughed back at her.