Page 2 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
She fluttered her hands. “I understand you want a wife to run your home and bear children for you.” Her cheeks were so red they must burn like they were on fire. “Did you not say you weren’t interested in a romantic union.” She drew herself up straight and faced him without flinching or blinking. “I am here to fulfill your requirements.”
The older man moved closer, his face set in concerning lines as he watched the goings on.
Riley held her gaze in what he hoped was a challenging way. Maybe she’d retreat in embarrassment. Her cheeks reddened even more but she stood her ground. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for her predicament, but he wasn’t sorry enough to marry her. “I’ve changed my mind.”
The color in Miss Mullen’s cheeks faded leaving her pale.
He narrowed his eyes. Was she going to faint at his feet? The older man must have had the same worry for he stepped forward and grasped her elbow. “Miss, perhaps you should sit down.” He guided her to the nearest bench. When she was seated, and her color had returned, he turned to Riley.
“Allow me to introduce myself. Alfred Black, at your service.” He gave a courtly little bow. “I have served the Mullen family since before this young lady was born. I am here to protect her and see to her interests.”
Understanding the subtle threat behind the courteous words, Riley nodded. “It’s good she has you to watch out for her.” Did Alfred Black understand what Riley meant? That taking care of the young lady would continue to be the older man’s task.
Miss Mullen rose, inserting herself between the two men. “No one need to take care of me. I came to do a job and I mean to do it.” Her eyes blazed.
Gray eyes. How unusual. A marked contrast to her brown hair which was so dark it was almost black. Riley jerked his thoughts together. “Miss, I’m sorry but I planned to marry Sylvia Thorton. Not a substitute. The train will return east later this evening. You need to go back home. Again, I’m sorry.” He pulled out his money purse intending to give her return fare.
She held up her hands. “I have no need of your money.”
Just as he thought. She came from the rich upper class. What fool notion made her think she was suitable for life in the West, let alone on a ranch?
His boots thundered against the boards of the platform as he strode away. He jumped down the steps and boarded the wagon that he’d brought to take home a wife and her belongings. For a moment, his hands hung down between his knees.
Seems it was too much to hope for a woman who would belong on the ranch. A woman used to hard work. Used to cooking and cleaning. One who could live without stores to visit and entertainment to enjoy. A woman who would choose to share his world.
Miss Mullen even brought a servant with her. As if he needed any more evidence that she wouldn’t be suited to his kind of life.
An almost forgotten emotion threatened to close his throat. He swallowed it down. He wasn’t about to let the past control him.
Neither was he going to repeat it.
* * *
Olivia staredafter the departing man. He sat in the wagon not moving. Had he changed his mind? But no, he flicked the reins and drove away without a backward look.
Without even giving her a chance.
“Miss?” Alfred waited for her to decide what to do, his expression anxious.
Inside her head, a scream begged to be released but remembering a proper young woman does not give vent to her feelings, she sighed softly.
Mr. Riley Shannon said there’d been no letter meaning, of course, the one Sylvia had written informing him of her changed mind had not arrived.
It was Sylvia’s idea that Olivia should take her place.
Life in Kellom had become intolerable since she’d found Gerald with another woman and had subsequently, broken off their engagement. Almost immediately afterward, nasty, ugly rumors began to circulate about Olivia. To her sorrow, she found many were willing to believe the worst of her. Olivia’s reputation lay in tatters. She was shunned from social gatherings. Crude men felt free to make crude remarks. Her heart broke over and over at the situation. All she wanted was peace and acceptance and she wasn’t finding that in Kellom.
Start over, Sylvia had said. In the west. On a ranch. It sounded remote. Ideal even. Sylvia had shared the details of her agreement with her future husband.
He doesn’t want romance. Simply a housekeeper and someone to give him children.
Olivia was prepared to do both. A new life in a new setting was exactly what she needed.
But he’d rejected her without allowing her to prove she could do what he expected. Her cheeks burned as they did every time she thought of the second part of his requirement.
Alfred stood patiently waiting for her directive. “Perhaps it’s best to do as he said and return.”
“I’m not going back there.” Not to face the way people turned away from her and whispered behind their hands. She’d seen the accusation in their eyes even as their rejection stung clear to the marrow of her bones. How could people she’d considered to be friends believe vile stories about her? She didn’t even know everything that was said, and Sylvia assured her she didn’t want to.
