Page 12 of Annabelle Enchants the Rejected Earl

Thump,thump.

Thump,thump.

“Oh, I think youwillwait for him here, and I also think that you will tell him that you do want to marry me. I am aware that you are not too keen for ourunion.”

Annabelle bit down on her bottom lip as she tried not to shake with fear at Watson’s commanding tone. She would not put up with this for all her life, shehadto find a way out somehow. This man was far too horrible forher.

As she racked her brain for a way to escape, she felt a sudden shift in the air. It was almost as if all the coldness had been sucked out of the room and normality and warmth hadreturned.

Somehow, in a heartbeat, Watson was back across the other side of the room giving her a respectable distance. It was almost as if the heated exchange between them had not happened, throwing Annabelle completely offkilter.

“Ah, there you are, Annabelle,” her father’s voice called through, clearing up any confusion she felt. “Thank you for coming to join us, I have been getting to know your future husband and I have to say he is a very nicegentleman.”

Future husband...that felt ominous, but Annabelle was too stunned to comment onthat.

“Erm, yes, th... thank you for bringing medown.”

Upon his request, she took a seat and behaved like the Lady her father needed her to be, but inside she felt herself flap messily. The deeper she got into this, the harder it would be to extract herself. She needed to actnow.