The Forced Bride by Sara Craven Read Free Book Online Page B

wondering what on earth was keeping Simon all this time. Maybe the cottage wasn’t
    available after all, but there would be others.
    And maybe she was wrong to involve him. After all, he’d had one run in with Raf Di Salis already and could well be
    targeted again, when her husband came looking for her. Perhaps it was the thought of that which was making him so
    morose—and odd.
    She was on her way to the door to say she’d changed her mind when he returned.
    ‘The booking’s all made, starting from the day after tomorrow. The caretaker in the village will be informed and have the
    place ready for you.’ He gave her a sheet of paper printed with a detailed description of the cottage and how it could be
    reached. ‘The nearest station is Kilrossan,’ he said. ‘Let Mrs McEwen know the time of your train and you’ll be met.’ He
    paused. ‘I made the reservation in your maiden name. I hope that’s all right.’
    ‘Entirely appropriate,’ she said. ‘Under the circumstances.’
    She was half-expecting him to offer to go with her. She would refuse, of course. Her marriage vows might be totally
    meaningless, but, unlike Raf Di Salis, she intended to keep them, even for the short time that was left. And, to give Simon
    his due, he seemed to accept this, even if he didn’t completely understand.
    But then, she thought, I’m not sure I understand myself.
    She said, ‘I’d better go home and start packing. Although I’ll have to be careful or Penny will get suspicious.’
    ‘Tell her what she wants to hear,’ he said. ‘Let her think you’re going off to meet your husband, but that it’s all to be a
    huge surprise.’
    ‘Now why didn’t I think of that’ She went to him, lifting her face for his kiss. ‘Will you be all right—if Raf comes asking
    questions’
    ‘He won’t,’ he said. ‘His pride would never stand for it.’
    ‘I’ll miss you. Let me know as soon as the coast’s clear and I’ll come back.’
    ‘And I’ll miss you too.’ His mouth was suddenly hot and passionate on hers. It was the first real sign of emotion he’d
    shown that morning and Emily tried to respond with equal ardour. But it wasn’t easy when she felt so apprehensive, and
    eventually she freed herself gently.
    ‘I’m sorry, darling. I can’t seem to think of much beyond getting away from here.’
    As they walked to the door, his arm round her shoulders, she said, ‘By the way, what’s happened to the candlesticks’
    ‘Candlesticks’
    She pointed at the fireplace. ‘The lovely silver ones that used to stand right there.’
    Simon shrugged indifferently. ‘Aunt Celia probably put them away before she left. They’ll turn up.’
    She looked sideways at him. ‘You sound miserable again.’
    He looked past her. ‘Scotland’s a long way and two weeks can seem like for ever.’
    ‘They’ll soon pass,’ she said. ‘Then we’ll be together again. And for always this time.’
    As her car moved down the drive she turned to wave, but there was no one there and she realised that Simon had gone
    back in the house, closing the door behind him.
    As if, she thought, he could not bear to see her go. Yet, instead of being pleased, she found suddenly that she was
    shivering. And wondered why.
    So far, so good, thought Emily as the express train ate up the miles between London and Glasgow.
    Getting away from the Manor had been altogether easier than she’d expected. Penny had swallowed her ludicrous story
    about meeting Raf in London and beamed at Emily’s blush, even though it was inspired by guilt rather than anticipation of
    a blissful marital reunion.
    And yet the housekeeper knew that Emily and Raf had never so much as shared a room when he stayed at the Manor.
    Unless she thinks he pays me secret visits when the lights are out, Emily thought, grimacing inwardly.
    In fact, the only time Raf had ever entered her bedroom at all had been on their wedding night. And that for the briefest
    possible time.
    Her father