The American Bride - By Karla Darcy Page 0,64

eyes roamed insultingly down her body as if to emphasize his comment. Tears started in Cara's eyes and she bent her head so that he would not see her disillusionment. He reached out a hand to stroke the distressed girl then pulled it back. He would show no pity to the deceitful chit.

"I do not know how many days I will be gone but when I return we will make some kind of arrangement. Despite the fact that you have spent the better part of your time in my employ trying to deceive me I would like your word that you will not leave here."

Nostrils flaring in anger Cara glared up at him, refusing to answer. Their locked glances held for what seemed hours but was probably only a minute. Sighing in annoyance Julian squinted through narrowed eyes at the exasperating girl.

"Be reasonable, Cara. I have forbidden you the use of the stables. Even Glum, whose loyalty I would have staked my life on until you came charging into my singularly uneventful existence, wouldn't dare to defy my orders this time. I suppose you might as a last resort walk into the village. Even for an amazon such as yourself I wouldn't recommend it." He smiled down at the demurely bent head. "With your limitless ingenuity you might contrive to steal a horse. With you, I have discovered almost anything is possible. I would truly dislike locking you up until my return."

As the girl still remained obdurately silent Julian's voice took on a coaxing tone. "Promise me you will not steal a horse to make your escape."

Thrusting her hand into her pocket, Cara touched the comforting security of her grandmother's letter. Although in her pride she would have preferred to remain silent, she suspected that Julian would never permit her to leave the room unless she promised him something. She had no intention of being locked up. She hoped that by appearing to be resigned to her fate he might not look further into her easy acquiescence. Forcing her voice to a colorless tone, she raised her face to Julian.

"I promise I will not steal a horse." Cara's voice trembled, adding credence to her words. She gritted her teeth as Julian, after searching her face, grinned in triumph.

"Thank you, Miss Farraday. I will accept your word. Until my return."

Julian opened the door to let her pass, bowing graciously. It took all of Cara's self-control not to kick him as he stood gracefully balanced on one leg. Her foot literally itched to make contact with his shin and she had to force herself to hurry past him before she succumbed to the overpowering urge. Unaware of her thoughts Julian chuckled as she flew up the stairs, running as though pursued by demons.

Regaining her room, Cara closed the door, pressing down the desire to slam it shut so that the sound would reverberate through the Hall. She leaned against the wood , her breath coming in gasping little pants. She was trembling with anger and crossed her arms over her chest holding in the scream of rage that threatened to overwhelm her. How dared he? she fumed. Squeezing her eyes shut she tried to breath calmly, forcing her disordered emotions into some sort of reasonable thought. The heartbeat pounding in her ears began to ebb to a more even rhythm. Pulling herself away from the support of the door, she crossed the floor to the window seat, flinging herself down on the cushions.

Leaning her forehead against the cool glass she stared over the gardens toward the lake. Bleakly she viewed her future which to her agonized mind held less hope than when she had started her masquerade as governess.

Cara loved Julian wildly, passionately and without reservation. She was aware of his faults, yet he had begun to represent for her the ideal husband. She had thought several times that he had reciprocated her own feelings of affinity. In her more hopeful moments she had even imagined that one day he might love her.

The scene in the library came back to her in all its stark reality and she flinched at her own innocence.

She herself had planned to enter into the arranged marriage with a spirit of resolution that working together they might have a successful union. She had been willing to try at least. But it was apparent to her that Julian had no such idea; he did not even plan to keep his marriage vows. He had all but declared that