Samantha James by His Wicked Ways Read Free Book Online

him so. “I will not ride,” she said again. “I will walk.”
    His gaze dipped to her toes, bare and pink beneath the ragged hem of her gown. Some of the sizzle had departed his features. A brow arched high. Indeed, he appeared almost amused…Meredith was not sure which she preferred.
    “You wear neither slippers nor sandals nor boots.”
    His unnecessary observation made her feel quite the fool. She angled her chin. “That is true.”
    “I warn you now, we will soon be leaving the Borders. We will not be traversing through soft, grassy meadows.”
    If her chin tipped any higher, her neck would surely snap! “’Tis kind of you to inform me.”
    His eyes narrowed. “You’re very defiant this morn, aren’t you?”
    “Nay, sir, ’tis not defiance.”
    But in so saying, so it was…and they both knew it. Meredith held her breath, wondering wildly what he would do. Given the circumstances, she was surprised he had not brushed aside her protest and proceeded to bodily place her upon his horse. Indeed, his reaction was remarkably restrained given the fact that he had snatched her from her bed.
    ’Twas only later she realized she should have been wary.
    “Your feet will be bruised and cut.”
    “Your concern overwhelms me. But do not worry. What pain I may suffer shall be offered as penance for your sins.”
    The sweetness of her tone goaded him—as she had meant. Nor was there any doubt she referred to his abduction of her…Thus began the battle between them. Meredith could not deny that were this a test of strength, he would undoubtedly emerge the victor. Yet there was a part of her that would not bend to his will as readily as she had already done.
    Something flitted across his face, something that might have been anger. But he spoke neither in fierce admonishment nor in anger—indeed, he did not speak to her at all! Instead he crossed to Egan. Laying a hand on his shoulder, he bent his head to the scarred man’s ear. His instructions, whate’er they were, were quick and brief. In what seemed like mere seconds, Egan and Finn had gathered up their belongings and ridden away.
    Meredith stared at the spiral of dust kicked up in their wake, then back to Cameron.
    “Where are they going?” Her tone was sharper than she intended.
    “Back to our home.”
    Her mouth was dry as parchment. “And what of you?”
    “Do not worry”—his mouth twisted into a leer—“we shall soon follow.”
    Meredith spoke her thoughts aloud. “You sent them away, didn’t you?”
    “That I did, lass. That I did.” He was suddenly far too relaxed, his manner far too easy.
    “But now we are alone!” She colored when she realized how foolish that sounded.
    She could not cast aside the sudden fear that clutched at her. Her thoughts were a wild jumble within her head. Her fears leaped apace with her heart. He had sent Egan and Finn away…yet why should he? Could it be he had another purpose in mind? Her breath came jaggedly. Would he rape her? Use her to slake his own base desire? Take her now that the others were gone?
    She reminded herself he did not want her—he’d expressed his distaste quite plainly. Yet Meredith was not so innocent. She knew of the dark desires of men; she knew of the lust that drove them to think of naught but the lance between their legs. Nay, she was no innocent. A man need not feel desire or love to take a woman, to force a woman to his will… against her will. To some it was but a punishment. Was this what he intended? Did he seek to defeat her in the one sure way that man would ever defeat woman?
    No. Surely he would not dare such a thing against a woman who had sought to be a nun…
    But she was not a nun, nor would she ever be. Not now.
    And he was a man who would dare anything. Had he not already? Why, he’d dared to invade the sanctity of the priory!
    Or if not that…would he kill her? Yet if all he sought was her death, surely he’d have done so long before now…and before his men.
    Her