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

urged breathlessly.
    Rochelle saw David’s eyes narrow to a glare . She briefly considered letting her hand be held by Sewell’s sweaty fingers just to feed David’s irritation. The thought repulsed her. She tried to pull away without struggling. “Sewell, I cannot.”
    “Let go of her, boy.”  David delivered the order quietly.
    Sewell’s gaze left Rochelle’s face to turn to David. He cautiously unclenched his fingers, letting his arm drop slowly to his side as though afraid to make any sudden movements.
    “She cannot marry you because she is marrying me,” David continued.
    “You!  Is that why everyone was yelling about a Bavarian?”
    David inclined his head slightly.
    “I am not marrying anybody!” Rochelle interjected. She needed time to think and who could think with four men braying in a circle around her?
    “Why you?  Why not a local?” Sewell asked, as though Rochelle had not spoken.
    “We do not have time for this,” David said flatly. “Come, Rochelle, we are expected in the chapel. ”  He grabbed her elbow again.
    “Would everyone. Stop. Tugging . Me!” she intoned between clenched teeth.
    The men stared at her . She was quite right, of course. As a young woman, no man other than a family member, husband, or betrothed should put his hands on her, and then only in the most chivalrous way.
    She shoved her fisted hands to her hips and glared at David . “I told you. I am going to talk to my mother.”
    “No . We are going to meet with the clerk who is by now waiting for us in that chapel.”  David pointed insistently at the large bronze door.
    They appeared to be at a standoff.
    Doeg rocked lightly on the balls of his feet. “Walk with me,” he said to Sewell, his chilly manner allowing no room for refusal. David’s brother led the troublesome neighbor away, leaving only David and Theo facing Rochelle.
    Theo cleared his throat . “Rochelle. Be reasonable. There is no way to avoid this marriage.”
    “Ther e is always a way, if  you will give me some time to think.”
    “I know this seems very abrupt to you, considering your mother did not share my entire message. Louis made this decision weeks ago. He summoned me to meet him here before he had even left Nijmegen.”
    “You have to reason with him, Theophilus . I had no idea of his intentions for me. I just need a few months to consider. Certainly you can make him understand.” 
    “Months!  I will not even try . He does not care what your mother did or did not tell you.”
    Rochelle crossed her arms stubbornly.
    “Think of what your father would do,” Theo cajoled. “He would do anything to keep your family at Alda.”
    Rochelle turned on Theo with venom in her eyes . “Do not try to sway me with memories of my father. I realized after he died that he would never be back to advise me. Believe me, I looked for signs.”  Her voice cracked on the last words. She had been lost at sea after his death, suddenly bearing the immense responsibility of their tenants and farms, trade and upkeep. She squared her shoulders. “I must make the best decision I know how to make. I cannot believe that my marriage has any bearing on the future of the empire!”
    Theo opened his mouth to reply. David lifted his hand to silence him. He faced Rochelle, crossed his own arms over his chest in a mirror of her posture and asked, “What system of decision-making do you normally employ?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “How do you make decisions?”
    Rochell e inhaled shakily. “First, I examine the problem thoroughly. Second – and I usually wait until late in the day for this part – I consider possible solutions. And third, I enact my solution, usually the next day.”
    “Do you always have the luxury of a full day to make a decision?”
    “No, but –“
    “Excellent, because you do not have that luxury now . It is good to know you do not require the time in every circumstance. Do the facts of a problem enter into the second phase, or do