Wolf Bride (41 page)

‘Hugh, please . . .’ she whispered, and shook her head. ‘My answer must be the same as my father’s. It is over.’

Stiffly, Hugh bowed, then took his leave of them. She could tell by his expression that he had no plans to return.

The barn seemed a smaller, colder place once he had gone, and even the sunshine pouring through the open doors could not warm her as it had done before.

Susannah shivered, wrapping her arms about herself. Was she a fool, turning down his proposal? Hugh Beaufort could make her happy in bed at least, even if her heart would mourn when she considered how he had been forced into their union, offering her his hand in marriage as an honourable gesture. Yet if Hugh truly cared for her, would he have allowed her father to turn him away so easily?

‘I should have you whipped too,’ her father said bitterly. She spun on her heel, knowing she must face his wrath unprotected now. ‘I thought you more innocent than your sister. I kept you away from court as long as I could, so you would not lose the sweetness of your nature. But you behaved like a whore with that man.’

‘Yes, I did,’ she agreed angrily, not caring who else might hear. ‘So perhaps I should marry him.’

His blow caught her across the face and Susannah fell to the ground, half-stunned, her cheek aflame.

‘You will marry my good friend Sir William Hanney, who has been asking for your hand since you were fourteen years of age. And you will give him children, just as your sister is giving her lord an heir.’ He was shouting now, his face mottled red, although he must have known he could be heard from outside the door, where she could see a number of the manor servants loitering, no doubt hoping to hear what had fired their master into this temper. ‘I have held Sir William off long enough, out of sympathy for your innocence. But it is high time I gave you to him, for you are no longer the child I remember.’

She turned over, staring up at her father. Her cheek throbbed, and she guessed there would be a bruise there by the evening. How dare he strike her? Rage at his brutality flamed through her too, swift as a forest fire, stripping away any sense of caution.

‘Then he will be sorely disappointed in his bargain, sir,’ she gasped out. ‘For I am no longer a virgin.’

Her father’s eyes almost started from his head at this bold admission, and he made a choking noise, his face dark with fury. But to her amazement he did not relent from his decision, sweeping past her with a look of withering contempt, as though she were indeed a whore.

‘Then I suggest you learn to feign the loss of your maidenhead,’ he threw back over his shoulder, ‘and swiftly. I have heard tell of unchaste brides strangled on their wedding night for failing to convince their husbands of their innocence.’

When her father had gone, Susannah struggled to her feet and stood a while staring at nothing, her cheek still on fire from his blow. He had a heavy hand. There would be worse to come for shaming him, she thought. Far worse. And then an elderly husband who would . . .

But she could not continue that thought, closing her eyes instead. It did no good to dwell on her fate. Even if she had accepted Hugh, her father would never have released her to marry him, and she was not able to marry without his consent.

There was only one choice open to her. She would have to run away from home again. Only this time she must ensure she was never found. For under law she could be brought back to her father’s home and either made to marry Sir William – if he would still have her – or forced into a nunnery. It was a cruel prospect. She would miss Eloise terribly, and it would mean a hard life ahead for her, a life of poverty and fear. Yet what else was there to do if she wanted to be free?

Reaching into her pocket, Susannah drew out the ring Hugh had given her, and turned the stone to the sunlight, admiring its fiery red glow. It was a small thing, but it belonged to her. Whatever happened, however desperate life became for her, she must never sell this ring, never lose it, never part with it until she died.

Hugh Beaufort had given her this jewelled ring after that long night in the forest.
Not as a promise, but as a gift.
That night had been the wildest, and most pleasurable, of her life. Susannah clenched her fist about the ruby ring, and remembered . . .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My grateful thanks as ever go to my fantastic agent Luigi Bonomi, not to mention the wondrous Alison and Ajda at LBA. You have made all this possible. Also to the team at Hodder & Stoughton, and in particular to editors Kate Howard and Lucy Foley for their insightful comments and marvellous enthusiasm from the very start.

Many thanks to all the Tudor fans on Twitter and Facebook who have kept me chatting as well as working, ahem. To my family for putting up with my distracted behaviour when trying to meet deadlines, such as putting the car keys in the fridge. And to Wolf and Eloise for being such a brilliantly lusty Tudor couple, and for allowing me to tell their story.

And lastly my love and eternal thanks to my husband Steve, who has more than once provided the inspiration for this love story . . .

Hugh and Susannah’s story continues . . .

REBEL BRIDE

LUST IN THE TUDOR COURT

England, 1536

HE IS UNDER HER SPELL

Hugh Beaufort, favoured courtier of King Henry VIII, likes his women quiet and biddable. Susannah Tyrell is neither of these things. She is feisty, beautiful, opinionated and brave. And Hugh is fascinated by her – despite himself.

THEIR LUST IS UNDENIABLE

When Susannah pulls her most outrageous stunt yet and finds herself lost in the wilds of England, Hugh must go to her rescue. Neither of them is prepared for the dangers that lie in wait. But most dangerous of all is their desire for one another. Alone together in the forest, far from the restraints of court . . .

THEIR PASSION KNOWS NO BOUNDS

Available early 2014

eBook 978 1 444 75245 8

Paperback 978 1 444 75244 1