Page 2 of Captive Bride

A THOUSAND TWINKLING stars could be seen on this clear summera??s eve.

A warm breeze softly tossed the treetops, giving a glimpse here and there of a full, rounded moon lighting the landscape.

But the peace of the beautiful English countryside was broken by the Wakefield coach rumbling over the empty, dusty road.

Inside the large, richly upholstered coach, John Wakefield stared pensively at his own reflection in the window. A lone candle standing in a sconce on the opposite side cast a subdued light over the deep-blue-velvet interior of the coach.

He just might enjoy this trip to the city, John thought, he knew Crissy would. He turned to look at his sister, who was sleeping undisturbed on the seat across from him.

Christina Wakefield had changed from a mischievous tomboy into a strikingly beautiful woman, all in the short year that John had been away from home.

He had been shocked to see her so grown-up on his return a month ago and still couldna??t get over the incredible change.

Her figure had filled out to stunning perfection, and even her face had changed so that John hardly recognized her.

He studied her face now, as she lay dreaming sweetly.

Gracing her high cheekbones were thick lashes that seemed to have grown longer in just a yeara??s time.

Her straight, narrow nose and rounded chin seemed more pronounced now that she had lost her youthful chubbiness.

John knew he would have his hands full trying to keep the young bucks at bay when they reached the city.

Crissy had wanted this trip to London for her eighteenth birthday, and John had found no reason to deny her wish.

Christina Wakefield had always been able to get what she wanted, he mused.

She had had their father wrapped around her little finger, and now she had done the same thing to himself.

Well, he didna??t mind. John enjoyed giving in to his sister: she was all he had left.

He remembered clearly that fateful day four years ago when Jonathan Wakefield had died in a hunting accident.

John had to inform Crissy of their fathera??s death, for their mother took it so badly that she died three weeks latera??from grief, the doctor said.

But even with Johna??s own grief, he somehow managed to help Crissy through her suffering.

Crissy spent most of that time riding wildly across their estate on her black stallion.

John let her do this freely day and night, for she had told him only three months earlier that she could forget her troubles by riding with the wind.

John wanted to laugh at her then, for what troubles could she possibly have at her age? Well, he had learned soon enough that troubles come to all ages. The riding helped Crissy through her grief, and she returned to normal sooner than she might have after suddenly losing both parents.

It was up to John to raise Crissy after that, but he couldna??t have done it without the help of Mrs. Johnsona??Johnsy, they called her.

She had been their nanny when they were children, but now she took care of Wakefield Manor and supervised all the servants of the estate.

John could still see Johnsy shaking her finger at him before they left for London, her brown eyes wide with concern.

a??Now you be keepina?? an eye on my baby a??ere, Johnny boy,a?? she had reminded him for the third time that morning.

a??You dona??t be lettina?? a??er go fallina?? in love with none of those London gentry.

I dona??t care for the likes of those London dandies with their uppity ways, so dona??t you be bringina?? any a??ome! a??

Crissy had laughed and mocked Johnsy as she got into the coach.

a??Shame on you, Johnsy. What would I be doina?? fallina?? in love with a London dandy when I a??ave Tommy a??ere waitina?? on my return?

a?? Crissy threw a kiss at Tommy Huntington, who had come to see them off.

Tommy lowered his head in feigned embarrassment, but John could tell that he wasna??t happy about Crissya??s journey to the city.

Tommy lived with his father, Lord Huntington, on a neighboring estate.

Since there were no girls of Crissya??s age living nearby, she and Tommy had been constant companions since childhood.

John and Lord Huntington had always hoped they might marry someday.

But Tommy, with his sandy brown hair and light brown eyes, was only six months older than Crissy and was still just a boy in Johna??s eyes.

Crissy was now a young woman, however, and of an age to marry.

John had hoped that Tommy would mature as soon as Crissy, but perhaps she would wait for him if she loved him.

Who knows how the mind of a woman works, John thought absently.

He didna??t even understand Crissya??s feelings for Tommy: whether she felt only friendship for him, or something more.

He must remember to ask her about it later, but she would probably be so busy the next few weeks that he wouldna??t have a chance.

John smiled, imagining the surprised faces of the young men who would seek her out when they discovered that Crissy was not only beautiful but intelligent as well.

John chuckled to himself, recalling the heated argument that their parents had had over Crissya??s education.

They had compromised, and Crissy was schooled like any man but was also taught the feminine arts of sewing and cooking whenever their mother could find her.

Yes, Crissy was educated and she was beautiful, but she had her faults.

Her downright stubbornness was one fault that she had inherited from their mother, who would stand her ground on any subject if she felt herself in the right.

Another fault was her quick temper, for she could get angry over the smallest thing.

John sighed, thinking how hectic the next two weeks would be. Well, it would only be two weeks. He dozed off then, as the coach continued along the lonely road to London.

Christina and John Wakefield were still asleep when their coach pulled up in front of the two-story house on Portland Place. The sun had just edged over the horizon, turning the sky from pink to soft blue, and the birds were singing cheerfully.

Christina awakened when the driver opened the door of the coach. a??Wea??ve arrived, Miss Christina,a?? he said apologetically, and went to take down the luggage from the back of the sturdy vehicle.

Christina sat up and straightened her hair, which had fallen in long tresses all about her. She smoothed her dress and glanced at John, who was still sleeping soundly across from her, his blond hair lying softly across his high forehead.

She shook his leg gently. a??John, wea??re here! Wake up!a??

Slowly John opened his dark blue eyes and smiled, running a hand through his hair as he sat up straight. Christina noticed that his eyes were bloodshot. He must not have slept very long last night. She was surprised that she had slept so soundly.

a??Come on, John! You know how excited I am,a?? she pleaded.

a??Slow down, young lady,a?? he laughed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. a??The Yeatses are probably still sleeping.a??

a??But I can unpack and get settled in, then spend the day shopping. You did say I could have a new wardrobe, and what better time to buy it than my first day here? Then I can wear my new clothes during our stay,a?? she said happily as she jumped out of the coach.

a??Didna??t that etiquette instructor teach you anything at all, Crissy?a?? he scolded her, shaking his head at her breach of propriety. a??I know youa??re excited, but next time wait until I help you down from the coach.a??

They walked up the few stairs to a pair of large double doors, and John knocked loudly. a??The whole house is probably asleep,a?? he said, knocking again.

But the doors swung open wide, surprising them both. A small, chubby woman with red cheeks and graying hair smiled out at them.

a??You must be Christina and John Wakefield. Come ina??come in. Wea??ve been expecting you.a??

They entered a small hallway carpeted with an Oriental rug, with a stairway at the end. A mahogany table stood against one wall, laden with small, lacy figurines.

a??I am Mrs. Douglas, the housekeeper. You must be tired after your journey. Would you like to rest a bit before startina?? your day? Mr. and Mrs. Yeats are still abed,a?? she said cheerfully, leading them to the stairs.

a??John probably could use more sleep, but I would just love a hot bath and then some breakfast, if it isna??t too much trouble,a?? Christina said as they reached the upstairs landing.

a??No trouble at all, miss,a?? Mrs. Douglas said. She showed them their rooms and left.

The driver followed them up with the luggage, and then went to tend the horses. John excused himself, saying a nap was just what he needed, when a young maid entered with water for Christinaa??s bath.

a??I be Mary, the upstairs maid,a?? she said shyly as she pulled out a large tub and poured the water in. a??If therea??s anything you be needina??, miss, just let me know,a?? she added.

a??Thank you, Mary.a??

Christina surveyed the room. It was small compared to her bedroom at home, but beautiful.

A gold plush carpet covered the floor, and the gold-canopied bed had a small marble-topped commode on one side and an ornate chest of drawers on the other.

A green-velvet settee stood in the corner by the single window, which was draped in light-green velvet, and a gilt-framed mirror leaned against another wall.

Mary finished putting away the clothes Christina had brought with her just as more water arrived, and Christina was finally left alone. After pinning up her hair, she undressed and sank into the steaming hot water. She leaned back and relaxed.