Page 35 of Forbidden Earl

There was no way to escape Lucinda’s questions. Cassidy lowered her eyes. “How did you know?”

“I still have a video camera in his room.”

Her gaze shot up. Seriously? Who would do that? There was so much she wanted to say about that but all she managed was, “Why?”

“I’m going to marry Remington.” She answered like it was her destiny.

No man was worth kidnapping another person over. She held her thought and said instead, “He didn’t seem too interested the other day when you came by.”

The steering wheel began to shake uncontrollably as the car skidded on ice. “He’ll be desperate soon.”

The SUV jerked and spun out on the road.

“Watch out!” Cassidy said, with almost no hope to save herself, but held onto the seat in front of her to block any glass.

Her entire body shook as the car thundered into a tree next to the road. Cassidy braced and held her entire body tight as she heard the crack of tree limbs and metal all around her.

Then stillness ruled. Cassidy sat straighter once she could and saw Lucinda bleeding on her forehead. Cassidy unbuckled her seat belt and reached for Lucinda’s pocketbook. She found the keys to the handcuffs and unlocked herself. “Are you okay, Lucinda?”

Lucinda didn’t say anything. Cassidy quickly flipped through Lucinda’s bag and wallet for a clue on her plan, but she didn’t find anything. Lucinda moaned, and Cassidy’s pulse raced. Once she was free, she picked up the phone and quickly checked her wallet. She needed money if she wanted food or anything else, so she took the little cash that was there, but left the credit cards.

Lucinda still didn’t move but another moan meant she was alive. Cassidy opened her door—it was time to run before Lucinda came to. “Well, it’s been real, but I’m going.”

She ran through the thin strip of green trees that lined the highway and found a small side road. She’d have to find a house or a restaurant or something, but she kept her pace as fast as she could. She slowed down to text,Remy, please find me. I’m alone on a road in the South of France.

I’m flying there now.Remy texted back.Keep the phone.She could breathe easier though she could see her breaths as her feet in her tennis shoes numbed. Now all she needed was shelter or a place to hide to wait for Remy.

She texted back,Lucinda kidnapped me. Hurry.

Remy knew everything. Soon, she’d get out of this mess. She rubbed her arms to keep the gnawing bitter cold at bay and ignored the goosebumps on her bare legs.

Once she was home, she’d hug her parents, Remy, Gigi and even Chelsea. A shiver rushed through her and her skin turned bluish from the gusty winds whipping her body. The memory of Remy’s hot kisses last night had to be enough to keep her heart warm or she might die from exposure.

Chapter 16

Snow drifted down and Cassidy shivered, regretting her loose button down shirt meant to slip off easily without ruining her hair or makeup when she donned her wedding gown. She’d trade every pearl in her hair for a pair of jeans and boots.

In the distance, she saw the orange red flickers of flames lit in organized rows. Fire meant heat, even just a little, so she turned into a field. The dampness of the grass soaked her tennis shoes. As she drew closer she noticed there were grapes on the vines.

A vineyard? She hugged her chest and prayed the house or some form of shelter was nearby.

It was dark already in the countryside though the sun had just gone down. She heard workers in the fields, but no one was close enough to see. She called out, “Help,” as she ran down the line—nobody answered. Finally, at the end of a long row of grapevines, she saw a simple white wooden house with lights on inside and one on the porch. She banged on the blue wooden door. “Please let me in. It’s cold.”

She heard the door unlock and shuffled her feet to stay warm—then a man with kind brown eyes opened the door wide. “Who are you, mademoiselle?”

Her teeth chattered as she focused on the fireplace behind him. “I’m Cassidy Bright. I’m really cold and I need help. I was kidnapped from my wedding and escaped the crazy woman who wanted to marry my fiancé.” Her teeth clacked together hard. “I need a place to be warm while Lord Sky comes from Avce to get me.”

“That’s a lot of information. Your lips are blue!” He motioned for her to come in and she inched her way toward the warmth of the fire as he said, “We’ve been up lighting fires to keep the grapes warm. I was putting my mother to bed as she took sleeping pills or I’d still be outside with my men tending the grapes.”

The fires had saved her from shivering to death while she waited for Remy. At least he was coming, but here she’d wait in warmth. Her teeth stopped chattering. “It’s how I found you.”

“What can I do for you?” He glanced down at her. “Other than offer you warm clothes. It’s cold out there.”

The man was sweet. She nodded. “Thank you so much. Can I use your phone? Mine died and I need tell my fiancé where I am. I’ll get out of your way and wait near one of your fires until he gets here.”

He motioned toward the table that still had platters of food. Chicken, and a bowl of green salad. “Yes, of course, call! Please share our dinner while you wait.”

Her face heated. Remy said he was close. She hugged her waist. “I don’t want to impose.”

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