WitchofArundaleHall by Jennifer Leeland Read Free Book Online Page A

dissipated. “I’m not sure you know what
a monster truly is. It does not matter. You will be my wife.”
    She tipped her chin and glared at him. “And you can sleep
with whomever you wish?”
    He stared at her. She thought that he’d— The idea was
ludicrous and he couldn’t help himself. He laughed long and hard, the first
humor he’d felt in weeks.
    Sarah, however, was not amused.
    Perry shook his head. “I have never slept with Madame de
Laval and have no intention of being her lover.”
    Sarah froze. “But she said— She implied that you’d made
arrangements,” she said, her blue eyes clouded with confusion.
    “I planned an evening for your pleasure.”
    She glared at him. “To give me to strangers?”
    “When I asked Leo if you had a preference he said you
enjoyed watching threesomes.” He raised an eyebrow. “I’m well aware that my
partial claiming has left you…wanting.”
    The sound of his future bride’s gasp only made him want her
more. Her face flushed with color and she was breathless when she spoke. “I
require no extra effort on your part.”
    “And yet I will be at your service,” he said, the apparent double
entendre making her swallow nervously.
    For a moment her lips parted and her eyes glazed, and he
thought he’d won. But she was made of sterner stuff. “I will break the curse
and you will no longer be obligated.”
    Did she believe that was why he offered to give her
pleasure? If she thought breaking the curse was going to change their bond one
iota, she was sadly mistaken. “I promise you that I will keep my word. But I’m
giving you fair warning, bride. Once you are mine I will keep you, Claiming or
not.”
    Her gaze jerked to his face, her eyes wide. “But if I break
the curse, you will be free, able to start a new life.”
    She was convinced that if it wasn’t for the curse he
wouldn’t want her. There was no way to convince her but to show her his
devotion. “You are my new life, Sarah Ayers.”
    It was clear she didn’t believe him, but the carriage
stopped. He exited and helped her down. She seemed small and fragile in the
ivory dress and white slippers. Her hand gripped his arm. “Is my brother to see
me to the altar?”
    “No. I relieved Mr. Ayers of his obligation. Jaimison did a
little digging while I was…indisposed.” That was a delicate way to put it. While
Perry had shook and trembled, tied to a bed, barely conscious of reality,
Jaimison had sought out Sarah’s people. One man had seemed to feel kindly
toward a young girl left without mother or father.
    They entered the church and Sarah’s hand jumped beneath his,
a small sound of happiness escaping her lips. “Dr. Vanguard,” she said, and
rushed forward.
    Jaimison had discovered that Dr. Evan Vanguard had been
Sarah’s tutor when she was a young girl. He was an older gentleman, near
seventy years old, his gait slow and his knuckles gnarled with age.
    Sarah rushed to the older man and clasped his hands in hers.
“How good of you to come.”
    “Your young man was persuasive,” Dr. Vanguard said, giving
Perry a sharp glance. “He seemed to think I would be needed.”
    “Oh yes,” Sarah said, her voice shaky. To Perry’s surprise,
she turned to him and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her lips to his
cheek. “Thank you.”
    Before he could respond she stepped away and locked arms
with her old tutor. “Lead the way, Dr. Vanguard.”
    Perry watched his future bride stride through the narthex,
his hand on his cheek where she’d kissed him.
    * * * * *
    The ceremony had touched Perry in a surprising way and he
found his tenderness toward Sarah increased as they exited the church. She said
a tearful farewell to Dr. Vanguard and took Perry’s arm to step into the
carriage.
    She was his. The sense of relief was incredible. He could
protect her now. The beast beneath his skin wanted to howl and the man was
elated. Tonight he would show her his passion, his need for her.
    Madame de Laval’s