The Sherbrooke Bride by Catherine Coulter

nice.” He pushed her back onto the bed, leaned over her, and said low, “You see this man, my girl? You do everything he wants you to do or . . . you know the punishment, don’t you? I would like to remain and watch, but I am sorely tired.” He straightened and turned to Douglas. “You are quiet. Don’t you think she is lovely? Not a virgin, but not overused either. She belongs to me, and now, because she isn’t stupid, she obeys my every command. Now you may enjoy her, but just for tonight.”
    He lurched out of the room. Douglas moved after him and listened as his footsteps receded down the corridor and then down the stairs. He listened to another door open and close on the second floor. Then he turned back to face the woman.
    She was standing now by the bed, trying to cover herself with her hands. Douglas couldn’t believe his good fortune but he wasn’t about to doubt it, not for a moment.
    His voice was urgent as he strode to her. “Is your name Janine Daudet?”
    She was small, very fair, her hair falling straight down her back nearly to her waist. She had light blue eyes, very blond brows and lashes, and she was lovely.
    â€œAre you?”
    She nodded, taking a step back.
    â€œDon’t be afraid of me. I’m here on behalf of Georges Cadoudal.”
    Douglas wasn’t able to keep his eyes on her face. He hadn’t had a woman in a while. His body was responding with deplorable enthusiasm. “Do you know Georges Cadoudal?”
    She nodded, still obviously afraid of him, not believing him for a moment, despite the flare of hope he’d seen.
    â€œI wish you to dress, quickly. I am here to take you away, to Georges. We must hurry.”
    â€œI don’t have any gowns.”
    Douglas looked around. “A cloak, anything. Come, we must hurry.”
    â€œI don’t believe you.” So there was some spirit left in her after all. She was nearly strangling on her fear but she still kept on. “I know that he gave me to you, he said so, and I know why he did it.”
    â€œIt’s because I won a wager.”
    â€œOh no.” She became even paler. Her rouged lips parted, then closed. She shook her head, then said in a rush, “He wants me to find out what you will tell Bonaparte when you return to Paris. He worries also that you are really a spy. I think he would prefer a spy to you being from Bonaparte because he fears Bonaparte will discover the wicked things he’s done.He told me I must discover the truth or he will kill my grandmother.”
    â€œAh.” Douglas smiled down at her and gently began to run his hands up and down her thin arms. So, the general hadn’t been drunk at all. The piquet, the wager, his loss, it had all been Belesain’s plan to trap him. Not bad.
    â€œEasy now,” he said absently, trying to calm her, all the while thinking furiously.
    â€œWhere is your grandmother?”
    Janine started. “She’s at the farm, two miles from Etaples to the south. He says that he has a man there watching her and that the man will kill her if I don’t do as he orders.”
    â€œIf I know Georges, he’s already taken care of any guards at your grandmother’s farmhouse. I am really here to save you. Now, let’s get you dressed in something. I am taking you and your grandmother to England.”
    â€œEngland,” she said slowly, her dark eyes wide with surprise. “But we only speak French.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. Many people speak French in England and you will learn. Georges lives there much of the time and he can teach both of you English.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œNo, I can say no more. Georges wishes me to take you to London. You will be safe there until he returns to fetch you. There are chores he must attend to here first. Will you trust me?”
    She looked up at him, worship and trust shining from her face and said simply,