Page 77 of His Sinful Touch

“Yes, he talked more and more about Peter and me marrying. He went from suggesting it or explaining how beneficial and easy it would be to trying to talk me into it. We quarreled a bit about it a time or two. That was another reason why I wanted so much to accept Lilah’s invitation to visit her. I needed to be away from them. It was so cloying, so suffocating there. I felt quite guilty about it, given all they’d done for me. But, deep down, I yearned to get away from them, to be on my own. Free and independent. I wanted to see things. Do things. Make decisions for myself. Buy the clothes I wanted.”

“Of course you did.”

“So that afternoon, I told Mr. Dearborn that Lilah had invited me, and I wanted to go. He brought up all the usual arguments, and when he wasn’t able to persuade me not to go, he suggested I postpone my visit. He wanted me to think about whether it was really what I wanted to do. I told him I didn’t want to wait. We quarreled more than we ever had before. And finally he said I couldn’t go. He wouldn’t let me. I was furious, and I told him he couldn’t stop me, I would go anyway. He said he was my guardian, so he could refuse permission. He knew what was best for me and he had a duty, a responsibility. Then, as if offering me a treat, I suppose, he said that I could go to London with Peter after we were married.”

“And you told him you were never going to marry Peter.”

“Yes. I had never been so blunt before, but I was terribly angry. I told him I was going to leave when I turned twenty-one and I would move to London if I chose to. We had a bitter quarrel, and at one point he grabbed the letter and it tore. That was why I had only that one torn sheet. He crumpled up the rest of it and threw it in the fireplace. Finally, it all ended with him telling me I was spoiled and silly, and I must go to my room and think about my behavior.”

“As if you were ten.”

“Yes. I was so incensed that I ran up to my room and slammed the door. I was going to just pack my bags and leave. And then...I heard him turn the key in the lock!”

“What did you do?”

“I was determined not to stay there. I packed my case. I knew I must wait until everyone went to bed before I sneaked out. I planned to climb down—there was a balcony off my room, and at the end of it was a trellis of roses. I’d always been pretty agile at climbing when I was young. I was going to put on my riding gloves to protect myself from the thorns and climb down the trellis, take my horse from the stable and ride away, catch a train to London. The maid brought me supper, and I ate it. I wrapped up the roll and put it in my case to have something to eat later. Then I sat down to wait for everyone else to retire. I began to feel very sleepy.”

“He put something in your food.”

“I think so.”

“Did he say anything about Andover? Or Winchester?”

“No, not that afternoon. I suppose he may have mentioned them in the past, but just in a general way. I don’t know why he would have taken me there. Why take me somewhere else at all?”

“Maybe he thought the local vicar would not participate in such a sham.”

“True. And I think Mrs. Dearborn might have balked at that. I do think she liked me and enjoyed my company. Besides, the servants would have talked about it. It would have been all over the village.”

“Do you remember anything about your journey?”

“I have a very vague memory of being in a coach.” She paused, thinking. “Not really a memory of the coach but of that motion, and I woke up a little once. The motion had stopped. I could hear voices outside and there were lights...” She shook her head. “That’s all I remember. It’s not very helpful, I’m afraid.”

“Perhaps you’ll remember more. You didn’t remember this at first. If you relax and don’t try to force yourself, just let your mind drift...”

She closed her eyes. After a moment, she said softly, “I fell.”

“From the window?”

“No. Not that kind of falling.” Eyes still closed, she went on, “Stumbling and falling. Someone grabbed my arm. I felt weak and dizzy, and everything sort of swirled around me. I think I remember someone shaking me, and I—I might have said something. That man who kept talking wore a white collar, and he’s—I can see his face, but it’s very vague. He’s rather young. He’s smiling at me, and I feel as if I’m about to be sick right there in front of him.” She opened her eyes and shrugged. “That’s all.”

“It’s all right.” Alex took her hand. “Don’t worry. You’ve remembered a good deal more. Would you recognize the man who wore the collar?”

“I’m not sure. Possibly. But I...was unable to focus. That’s what’s so frightening about those memories. I couldn’t make myself look at things. I couldn’t concentrate. I couldn’t wake up. Oh, Alex.” Sabrina jumped to her feet and began to pace, wrapping her arms around herself. “I think I must have married him. That was surely a wedding!”

“No, that wasn’t a real marriage. It was clearly without your consent. You were drugged, incapable of making any decision. That makes it a fraud. Coercion.” Alex took her arms and peered intently into her face. “Sabrina, listen to me. Do not worry. I swear to you on everything I hold dear, I will not let him have you. You will not be his wife—even if I have to make you a widow.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

SABRINA STARED AT HIM. “Alex, no! You can’t.”

“I can. I will. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you from that bastard.”

Sabrina supposed that such a declaration shouldn’t fill her with warmth, but it did. She reached up, cupping his face with her hands. “No. I won’t have you taking that burden upon yourself. I won’t let you risk the gallows for my sake. But thank you.” Tears glittered in her eyes, threatening to spill over. “Thank you for offering.”

She went up on tiptoe and kissed his lips. Words of love filled her throat but died unsaid as Alex deepened their kiss. Caught in the wonder of his mouth on hers, his hands gliding over her, she gave up all worry and fear, forgot all pain. There was in this moment only Alex, no other world but in his arms.

When at last he lifted his head, Sabrina pulled away. His arms tightened for an instant, then let go. She took his hand. “Come.” Turning to look back at him over her shoulder, her lips curved up in a seductive smile. “I think it’s time we went to bed, don’t you?”