Unbidden (The Evolution Series) by Jill Hughey Read Free Book Online

there straight back to Alda.
    “Fire and smoke, Theo, what sort of woman is this?”  David asked tiredly . “I have had less protest from men I have been killing than from her.”
    Theo scratched his ear . “She certainly quitted the quiet girlish stage since her father died.”
    The three watched her for a moment . She strode across the nearly empty square making straight for the south gate. David would go after her. Of course he would. He allowed himself a brief study of her ground-eating pace. Her cloak billowed out behind her and her ankles showed just a bit below the hem of her tunic. A slight smile quirked his face. She would be a handful, but he liked her.
    His attention jumped to a figure moving quickly to her right, from the direction of the chapel. It looked to be not much more than a boy, barreling toward Rochelle with the clear intention of intercepting her. Almost on instinct, David strode forward. He had no doubt she could hold her own for a moment against the little whelp, based on her sharp tongue and the strength with which she’d shoved him earlier. He resisted the urge to tackle the interloper, keeping his pace to a brisk walk.
     
    Rochelle heard someone call her name. She turned, first aggravated, then surprised to see a young man who owned an estate bordering Alda. It took her a moment to recall his name. “Sewell?” she said in disbelief. “What are you doing here?”
    “I had to come . Since my father died last spring, they summoned me in his place.” 
    “I was sorry about your father,” she said.
    He nodded in acknowledgement, his lank brown hair hardly shifting against an unfortunately pimply complexion. He had obviously availed himself of the shops in Aix to dress as a proper dandy, with all the wild colors of Theophilus but none of the good taste. He’d filled out since she’d last seen him yet appeared scrawny and insubstantial compared to the three fully grown men who’d just surrounded her.
    “What happened in there, Rochelle?  I heard Louis say your name. By the time I worked my way up to the front, everything was over.”
    “The emperor has decided I should become betrothed….”
    “Ooh, marry me!” Sewell gushed impetuously, gripping her hand with damp fingers.
    Rochelle cringed while trying to extricate her hand . “It is generous of you to offer, but I have no intention of marrying anyone.”
    At her shocking words, Sewell released his hold . “B-but if Louis said you are supposed to –“
    “Then she would be very arrogant to think she could do anything different . Am I correct, young man?”
    Rochelle knew without looking that the Bavarian had walked up behind her to listen to her private conversation .
    “Y es.”  Sewell began to nod his head vehemently. “You cannot ignore the emperor. You do not just say ‘no’ to him and go about your business.”  He paused for a moment to nod at the wisdom of his own words. “Besides, you are a girl. You have to get married sometime.”
    David chuckled . Rochelle felt like stamping her feet but constrained herself to a quick huff of breath. “I do not have to get married. I am perfectly capable of running Alda without a husband, as you well know, Sewell. Our tenants produce just as well as yours!”
    Sewell scoffed . “Of course you do. Yours is the biggest estate. You have the best land and your father was rich. There is no magic in it. It does not prove anything.”
    “Oh!” Rochelle protested.
    “Sewell, my young gallant,” Theo piped up. He’d joined them along with Doeg. “If you are trying to charm the lady, you had best not insinuate she has been resting on her laurels.”
    A flush of red crept up Sewell’s neck.
    “A rich estate, say you?” Doeg asked.
    “Yes,” Sewell confirmed grudgingly, then his face brightened . “And it only makes sense to join our lands together!  I am certain Louis would see the wisdom in it.”  He grabbed Rochelle’s hand again. “Say you will, Rochelle,” he