Secrets of a Runaway Bride by Valerie Bowman Page A

here.”
    Annie took a deep breath. She’d carefully considered what she would say. Desperate times called for desperate measures and all that. She would come right out with it. “Do you want to marry me, Arthur?”
    Arthur squeezed her hand again and gulped. He looked genuinely shocked. “Of course I do, Anne.”
    “Then why have you not offered for me?”
    Arthur turned away and shoved his fingers through his hair. “Ever since we tried to run off to Gretna Green, my father’s been very disappointed in me. He says I should take time to consider my behavior carefully and I tend to agree. There’s no rush, is there?”
    Annie’s throat tightened “But you said your father had got over his doubts about me.”
    Arthur faced her again. “He was worried about your lack of dowry before, that’s true. But he knows you have a large dowry now that your sister has married Lord Colton. Now that everyone knows Lord Colton is so wealthy.”
    Annie scanned Arthur’s face. “Then what’s the problem?”
    He nodded. “Father doesn’t think it’s a good idea to rush into anything. A marriage, that is. And you know as well as I, it’s not just my father who stands between us. After what happened on the road to Gretna, I know Lord Colton has his doubts about me. Then there’s the matter of my sister. She needs me right now. I must look after her.”
    Annie took two steps toward him. She wanted to reach for him but checked the impulse. She threaded her fingers together instead. “Don’t you love me, Arthur?”
    “Of course I do, Anne, but if we’re to marry, what does it matter if it’s this year or next?”
    Annie shook her head. “What does it matter?” she repeated brokenly. “I want a marriage, children. Those are the most important things to me, Arthur. I thought you wanted those same things too.” She put her hand on his shoulder, and when he looked down, she searched his face.
    Arthur must have heard the pain in her voice. He reached over and squeezed the hand that rested on his shoulder. “Oh, Anne, it is. And I do. I promise. I’ll speak to my father again. I’ll convince him. Don’t worry.”
    “And I’ll see to Lord Colton,” she promised with a nod.
    “It will be all right, Anne. You’ll see.” Arthur pulled her into his arms. “Besides, it seems I may have some competition in Lord Ashbourne.”
    Annie couldn’t help her unladylike snort. “Lord Ashbourne?”
    “Yes. First I find you in his arms on my back porch and tonight he told me in no uncertain terms to stay away from you.”
    “Oh, that, it’s just that—” Annie stopped herself. A slow smile dawned across her face. She could tell Arthur that Lord Ashbourne was merely carrying out a favor to her sister and Lord Colton, or she could let him think he did indeed have competition. Just what he might need, in fact. What was the harm?
    “Are you jealous?” she asked, a catlike smile pinned to her face.
    “Should I be?” Arthur pulled her even closer and a shot of happiness spread through her limbs. Oh, he was jealous. Perfect.
    Annie tilted up her chin to look into his eyes. She searched his face. This was it. The perfect opportunity. Finally. “Oh, Arthur, kiss me, please.”
    Arthur gulped, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. Looking very earnest, he blinked several times.
    Annie closed her eyes and leaned up on her tiptoes. He was going to do it. Arthur Eggleston was going to kiss her. She sucked in her breath. She tilted her chin. She puckered her lips. Oh yes, this would be her very first kiss from her one true love.
    “Now this I do hate to interrupt,” a cocky male voice intruded. “But I’d hardly be doing my duty as a chaperone if I did not.”

 
    CHAPTER 7
    Jordan Holloway emerged from the shadowy side of the house, his eyes fixed on his unruly charge.
    Eggleston’s hands fell away from Annie’s arms. He cleared his throat multiple times and moved several paces away from her as quickly as possible.
    “Uh,