Captive Bride by Johanna Lindsey Read Free Book Online Page A

back of the tent, with a single jeweled goblet and a goatskin bag on top. Many small pillows in bright colors were scattered on the two couches and on the floor beside them.
    Christina watched her captor. The tall man had his back to her as he removed his kufiyah and robe. He laid them on top of the cabinet and poured something from the goatskin into the goblet. He wore knee-length suede boots, a short tunic, and loose-fitting trousers tucked inside his boots.
    Christina was startled when the man spoke to her in perfect English.
    "I can see that you're going to be very difficult to manage, Tina. But now you're here and you know that you belong to me, perhaps you will not try to run away so often."
    Christina couldn't believe what she heard. The man turned around to face her. Her eyes widened in shock, and her mouth fell open.
    He burst out laughing. "I've waited a very long time to see that expression on your face, Tina, ever since you left me that night in London."
    What was he talking about? He must be crazy!
    Her cheeks flushed red with anger, and her body shook with rage. "You!" she screamed. "What are you doing here, and how dare you kidnap me and bring to this Godforsaken place? My brother will kill you, Philip Caxton!"
    He laughed again. "So you're no longer afraid of me, Tina. That's good. I don't think I would care to hear you begging and pleading with me for mercy."
    "I would never give you that satisfaction, Mr. Caxton." Christina stood up and faced him, her hair flowing to her hips. "Now would you kindly tell me why you've brought me here? If it's ransom you're after, my brother will give you anything you want. Only I'd like the matter handled quickly, so I may leave this place and your company."
     
    He smiled at her. His unusual eyes held her hypnotized. Why did he have to be so damned handsome, she thought irrelevantly.
    "I suppose I should enlighten you about why I've brought you here." Philip sat down on the couch across from her and motioned for her to do the same. He drained his goblet, and studied her intently before continuing.
    "I don't usually explain myself to anyone, but I suppose I can make an exception in your case." He paused, as if to find the words he wanted to use. "Christina, the first time I laid eyes on you at the ball in London, I knew I wanted you. So I tried it your way. I declared my feelings to you and offered you marriage. When you refused, I decided to have you my own way, and quickly. I arranged for your brother to be sent to this country the night you refused me."
    "So it was you who had my brother sent here!" she gasped.
    "You will not interrupt again until I am finished. Is that clear?" Philip asked brusquely.
    Christina nodded her head, only because her curiosity demanded she hear him out.
    "As I said, I arranged for your brother to be sent here. It was only a question of knowing the right people. If you had decided to stay in England, I wouldn't have had too much trouble taking you away to my home with your brother gone. You would have found it easier to escape me there, but I could have had you sooner. Here you will have less chance to get away from me. It's the way of the land here to take captives, so don't expect any help from the people of my camp." Philip smiled wickedly at her. "You're mine now, Tina. The sooner you realize that, the better it will be for you."
    Flying off the couch, Christina paced the floor in fury. "I cannot believe what you've told me! How could you possibly imagine that I'd marry you after what you've done to me?"
     
    "Many!" he laughed. "I offered you marriage once, I will not again. I don't have to marry you to have you in this land!" He came to her and took her in his arms. "You may call yourself my slave, but not my wife."
    "I will be no man's slave! I'll kill myself before I'll submit to you!" Christina screamed, and fought to escape his embrace.
    "Do you think that I'd let you kill yourself, after I've waited so long for you?" Philip murmured