A Runaway Bride to Cherish by Emberly Hart

Author:Emberly Hart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mail order bride, arranged marriage, historical western romance, action and adventure romance, western romance american frontier
Publisher: Emberly Hart
Published: 2023-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Anna had not seen William so relaxed. His shoulders slumped as he reclined against the back of the settee and his long legs were stuck out before him, crossed at the ankles. His fingers were wrapped around a small glass of brandy, identical to the one he’d given her but she had not taken a sip of yet.

Two lamps burned in his study, and she had lugged the ledger books in here and spread them on his desk to look over with him, but he had invited her to sit and then had not moved himself.

“How is our clean little implant to the saloon?” he asked.

She tipped her head to the side with a smile. “Well, he smells better. He’s been quite busy taking orders from the saloon man, sweeping and hauling away glasses for him, as well as assisting the kitchen maids.”

“Good. And where have you given him to sleep?”

“He is on a pallet on the kitchen floor for now. But...” She chewed her lip, wondering how far she was overstepping to speak her mind on this matter.

“But what? You have never held your tongue around me, Miss Winters. Do not withhold it now.” His eyes sparkled though she saw the fatigued lines on his face, as if it had been days since he’d slept properly. Of course, the previous night he’d fought for both their lives, and that had most likely kept him up far too late.

“I wondered if I could move the desk out from beneath the stairs, sir. If I move it just under the window in the corridor, I have more natural light, but I could also have a curtain put up in the niche and that could become Sully’s space.”

He eyed her for a long moment. “You are a curious woman, Miss Winters. Tell me, are you trained as a designer of homes?”

“No, sir.”

“Nor a bookkeeper, nor a washerwoman.”

“No.”

“You do have an impressive mind. Why is it you wish to bury it by getting married?”

She blinked. “Bury it? Why ever should that happen?”

He grunted. “You know little of men, I’m guessing. They will wish you to support their ventures and not think for yourself.”

“But...” She opened her mouth, considering what he was saying. “You do not mind me thinking for myself.”

“I am not all men, Miss Winters. Are you certain you wish for marriage? What could you gain that you do not have here? Room to sleep, work and breathe?”

In the saloon, the strains of piano notes filtered on the air and some rowdy laughter followed.

“As enticing as this place is, Mr. McCoe, I wish to be married. To have a husband and a family.”

He cocked his head, dark eyes drilling into her. “You desire a home of your own. And children.”

She looked down at her hands. “Yes.”

Suddenly, he shot to his feet. “I cannot provide those, Miss Winters.”

Her jaw dropped. “I was not asking you to, Mr. McCoe.”

He turned to the desk, and she got up, thinking him ready at last to go over her findings.

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