Giselle's Choice by Penny Jordan Read Free Book Online

mixed with anger and a sense of betrayal. ‘What I know is that I married a man who swore to me that he would never want to rule this country.’
    â€˜I still don’t want to rule it. This isn’t a matter of whatI want, Giselle. It’s a matter of what I must do.’ What had happened to his plans of proudly placing before Giselle a carefully planned strategy for what he hoped for their future and the future of the country? ‘You said that Aldo’s death meant that the country would need a strong leader,’ Saul reminded Giselle.
    â€˜Yes, I did,’ Giselle was forced to admit. ‘But I didn’t mean that you should take over from Aldo. How could you think I would mean that when you’ve always said that it was the last thing you’d want to do? I meant that the country needed to elect a democratically chosen strong leadership? How can you sit there and tell me that you are going to step into Aldo’s shoes? It goes against everything you’ve said to me—everything I’ve believed and trusted about you. I feel that I can’t have ever really known you.’ The strength of her emotions made her voice tremble and filled her eyes with tears.
    Saul felt his heart sink. Deep down inside, wasn’t this what a part of him had secretly feared? Even if he had hidden that fear and convinced himself that Giselle must know what Aldo’s death would mean.
    â€˜I can’t believe you’ve chosen to do something like this,’ Giselle told him. ‘I didn’t choose to do it,’ Saul said quietly. ‘Before he died Aldo begged me to give him my promise that I would. For the sake of the country, Giselle.’ Saul continued when she simply looked at him in angry rejection. ‘He said it was a matter of duty to our people and to our shared ancestry. I realise that this is coming as a shock to you, and that’s my fault, but please try to see the positive side of things.’
    â€˜What positive side?’ Giselle was trembling with rage and dismay. ‘You assured me that ruling Arezzio was the last thing you would ever want, and now you’re telling me to look on the positive side? The positive side of what, Saul? You lying to me? Deceiving me?’
    â€˜I haven’t lied to you or deceived you. When I said that, I meant it.’
    â€˜But now you’ve changed your mind? Just like that? Without a word to me?’
    â€˜It isn’t just like that. I never expected Aldo to die before me, but he has. This country needs us, Giselle. There’s so much we can do here—for the people and for the country. They need our help. We can build schools, educate the people, send them to the best universities in the world. We can build a country that values its people, that supports and encourages them.’
    The passion and enthusiasm in his voice fell against Giselle’s heart like physical blows. ‘You’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you?’ she accused him. ‘You’ve decided what you’re going to do. So much for our marriage being an equal and true partnership. When it comes to the things that matter most you didn’t even stop to think about consulting me.’
    â€˜I’ve already told you—I thought you’d guessed. Giselle, I need you to support me in this. I’m sorry if you feel I’ve failed you. That wasn’t my intention.’
    Saul desperately wanted her to understand, and to share with him his determination to find something positive in the dramatic change in their future. He hated seeing her so upset, knowing that he was the cause ofher distress, but at the same time part of him felt that she could have been more appreciative of his position.
    She obviously didn’t intend to be, though, because she said bitterly, ‘How can I trust you any more when you’ve made such an important decision about our shared future without saying a word to