Bride School: Lizzy (The Brides of Diamond Springs Ranch 2) by Bella Bowen

Author:Bella Bowen [Bowen, Bella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mrs. Carnegie, Bride School, Ranchers, Spirited Brides, Diamond Springs, Ranch, Western, Victorian, Historical, Forever Love, Frontier, Wyoming, Western Territory, Country, Short Story, Chosen, Boston, Western Bride, To Young, Troublesome, High Society
Goodreads: 25658586
Publisher: LL Muir
Published: 2014-07-18T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Jacob travelled back to Boston with Caroline, but it was a much quieter trip. He hadn't allowed her to talk about Mrs. Carnegie or Elizabeth Tanner. Each time she brought the conversation back to either of those women, he would stand up and walk the length of the train. Sometimes, he found another place to sit for a while. She learned, eventually, that if she didn't want to sit alone, she had to keep her thoughts to herself.

Jacob kept his thoughts private as well.

Mrs. Carnegie was a wise woman. She'd had one particularly wise suggestion for him—that he try to remember Elizabeth Tanner as a child. His journey would have been easier if only he'd been able to follow that advice. And sometimes, he succeeded enough to sleep.

There were other times when it was better to think of her fitting perfectly into his arms with her lips clinging to his. At least those images helped distract him from his discomfort when he woke in the night, stiff and sore from the cramped quarters. It made it impossible to sleep, but infinitely more pleasant.

Until his memories circled around to the point where he understood Elizabeth was not for him.

It was true. She was unsuited for his life in Boston. High Society ruled more than just his sister. It dictated his business, his success. Most contracts were signed the day after an important social event if the two parties had rubbed elbows near the dance floor the night before, or had a chance for a brandy and cigar away from the women. A man's character was proven by the way he was perceived by his peers. A ball was a fine way to see who was, and was not, respected.

Heaven help him, he owed much of his business success to Caroline.

Too bad she wasn't a man. He'd be able to hand over the business to her and let her do with it what she wanted...while he pursued other interests.

It was a particularly vivid dream on the train one night that placed him in the middle of Indian Territory, in a cabin, pointing rifles through little holes in the shutters, defending his home and family. Elizabeth stood beside him, reloading his guns while he emptied them. She showed no fear and chatted amiably about Mrs. Carnegie's Ranch and how lucky they were she'd been taught to load a gun.

Jake gave her a quick kiss and went back to shooting, only their cabin wasn't surrounded by Indians anymore—they were surrounded by waltzing couples who were trying to choke them to death with the dust they kicked up.

He woke gasping and wondered if he was suffering the same sensations women suffered when tied too tightly into a corset.

The next day, he thought it best to wean himself off Elizabeth’s image and determined not to think about her for the entire day. And he only had to remind himself two or three...hundred times.

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