An Unexpected Husband (The Colorado Brides Series) Read online

  I’d hardly pried my eyes from the ring, feeling a combination of elation and joy all mixed in with an absurd need to cry. The happiness I felt nearly overwhelmed me. “He’s forgiven.”

  “Ah, saved by jewelry.” Jack patted Brandon on the shoulder. “Good show, my man. She’ll hardly remember waiting now.”

  “I bought it in Georgetown off the owner of a mine there, as part of our negotiations. It belonged to his late wife’s mother.”

  “It’s so beautiful.”

  “It’s a bit loose. We’ll have it adjusted after the honeymoon.”

  My head snapped to attention. “Honeymoon?”

  “I thought we’d take a little trip to Golden, where I can mix business and pleasure, if you’re agreeable.”

  “Just the two of us?”

  “Of course. I don’t wish to be away from Rosalind longer than a few days. I’ve already missed her terribly this week.” He drew me to him, his lips brushing my cheek. “I do want to kiss the bride, but I’ll wait until later,” he whispered.

  A tingle ran down my spine. “I want to kiss my husband. I was so worried about you. I hope you never frighten me like that again.”

  “I’m sorry, my love.”

  Knowing that everyone was watching us, I stepped away from him, leaving an inch or so between us. “I hope you’re not too tired for the reception.”

  “I’ve not had food since yesterday. I’ll go wherever they’ll feed me.”

  “We should leave right this minute then,” I laughed. I glanced at Fanny, who stood nearby, while Jane held Rosalind. “Let’s not linger. Poor Brandon’s fair to starved. He needs supper.”

  Fanny hugged me. “Congratulations, Mary. You make a lovely couple. I want to have a better look at that ring later. It’s dreadfully pretty.”

  My sisters embraced me. “You’re the loveliest bride I’ve ever seen,” gushed Susanna. “I want a rich husband too. Does Brandon have a younger brother?”

  Fanny gasped, shocked at the impertinence of the sixteen-year-old. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that, you little imp.”

  She pouted prettily. “I’ve seen what’s available in this town, Fanny, and I’m most displeased. I would like a handsome and rich husband like Mary. I do prefer to travel by stagecoach. Wagons give me splinters.”

  My new husband threw his head back, roaring with laughter. The members of my family had begun to file out of the church, waiting to throw rice outside, but Susanna had our undivided attention.

  “I have to apologize, sir,” said Fanny. “I have virtually no control over what comes out of her mouth, although a good rinse with some soap may be necessary.”

  “She’s charming,” he said. “It’s not offensive in the least. She’s a young woman who knows her own mind. I wish you luck in your search for a suitable husband, my dear. I’m sorry I don’t have a younger brother. I’d gladly introduce you, if I did.”

  Susanna crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s too bad.”

  He laughed again, “She’s quite determined. Should I pity the man she sets her sights on or will he be lucky?”

  I grasped his arm. “Let’s not ponder it at the moment. It’s two years before Fanny will allow her to marry. I can only hope that time will result in greater maturity.”

  “Now she looks down her nose at me, because she’s married.”

  “Oh, stop it, girls!” admonished Fanny. “This is Mary’s special day, and I won’t have any arguing. Is that clear?”

  “I suppose.”

  “Come, my dear,” said Brandon. “Let’s not keep everyone waiting. I’ve already done enough of that.”

  I linked my arm through his. “I’m ready.”

  His grin was endearing. “So am I.”

  The End

  Epilogue

  We extracted ourselves from the reception shortly after we had eaten a slice of cake. Brandon had held Rosalind in his arms, happy to be reunited with his child, although he would be parted from her for a few more days. Megan and Elizabeth would see to the baby’s welfare, while we were on our honeymoon.

  By the time we had slipped into the waiting stagecoach, the snow had begun to fall in earnest, the flakes thick enough to blanket the ground. Poor Brandon, exhausted from having ridden through the night, leaned against the leather-paneled wall with a heavy buffalo fur draped over his thighs and slept. I didn’t mind in the least that he had succumbed to exhaustion, and the fact that Nathan and Samuel had plied him with whiskey did not help either.

  While my husband slept, I stared at his handsome profile, admiring the look of a beard that had grown out over the last week. He’d been in the mountains working, and he had not been able to take care of himself properly. The gentle rocking of the carriage lulled me into sleep as well, although I was not entirely comfortable, being tied into a restrictive corset. By the time we had arrived at our lodgings, servants ran out to get our things.

  Brandon woke. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I didn’t mean to ignore you, my love.”

  “It’s fine. You needed rest.”

  He gazed out the window, although the glass was foggy with condensation. “It’s snowing.”

  “Yes, for several hours now.”

  He took my hand, bringing it to his mouth. “I’ll never be able to apologize enough for keeping you waiting today.”

  “Stop that. It’s not necessary. You arrived just fine. We’re married now, and that’s all that matters.”

  “What a fine start, though. I’m…” he yawned, “going to try to wake up.”

  “I’ll have them bring a bath and food. The only thing that matters is that you’re alive and well and with me.”

  He grinned. “That sounds wonderful. Let’s hurry inside. It’s freezing.”

  The building in question was in the center of Golden, a two-story inn with lights blazing from all the windows. We had arrived in the middle of the night, and it was fortunate that the staff had anticipated us. I asked for a bath and food, and, nearly an hour later, things began to arrive. The room was furnished with heavily carved dark oak, while a large fire added warmth to the space. The bed was surrounded by drapes, to ward off the chill.

  Once a tub had been brought up and filled, Brandon divested himself of clothing, while I nursed a cup of tea. He was seated by the time I turned to face him. “How is it?”

  “Surprisingly hot.”

  “Shall I wash your hair?”

  “That would be nice.”

  “Would you like some tea?”

  “Yes, but not right now.” He’d taken a block of soap into his hands. “This might just wake me up.”

  I eyed him, gazing upon his chest, which was smattered with thin patches of dark hair.

  “You shouldn’t look at me like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “Hungry.”

  That was mildly astonishing. “I look…hungry?”

  “You like the way I look.”

  “Well…” oh, goodness, “I…do.”

  “I’ve seen you in your nightgown. I’d…like to see you out of it.”

  “Sir.” Embarrassment registered.

  “Come wash my hair, Mary. The sooner I’m clean, the sooner I can get out, unless you care to join me.” An eyebrow lifted, as a wicked grin emerged.

  “I’ve had a bath, but I’ll manage your hair.”

  “I’m disappointed, but perhaps tomorrow night, when you’re not as shy.”

  “Perhaps.”

  Pouring water over his head, he used the soap on his hair, lathering and scrubbing. When he had finished, I handed him a towel, and he emerged, drying off before the fire. I’d begun to remove my gown; the task of undoing dozens of buttons and hooks and eyes was tedious. By the time I had removed the corset, I had begun to feel like myself again, relieved at being able to breathe deeply. I rarely wore a corset, and I couldn’t imagine having to live in one as restrictive nearly every day. I stood in my chemise, unbraiding my hair.

  “You look love
ly.” The tenor in his voice was husky.

  I glanced at him over my shoulder, seeing him with only a towel and damp hair. “So do you.” As he approached, a shiver went down my spine, but it wasn’t unpleasant in the least. “Your hair’s still wet.”

  “It’ll dry.”

  We were merely inches apart. “It’s very late.”

  “Yes, it is. We should get in bed.”

  “You’re not tired anymore?”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  Oh, dear. My moment of reckoning had arrived, but I was eager to uncover the mystery of it all. “Well then, what shall we do?”

  Grasping the edge of the blanket, he let the towel drop, and I averted my eyes, as he slid between the sheets. “Come here, Mary.” I went to him, as his warm hand closed over mine, bringing me to him. “I hope you realize that I’m allowed to kiss you whenever I wish now.”

  “Yes, sir—Brandon.”

  “You had best call me only Brandon from here on out.”

  “What about sweetheart? Can I call you sweetheart?”

  “Yes.” I found myself in his arms, my hand resting on his bare chest. He grasped my nightgown, tugging it upwards. “I think you’d be far more comfortable without this on.”

  Our legs became entwined, while I offered little resistance to his determined efforts to remove my clothing. I still had the blanket as a shield, while it lasted. The garment was over my head within seconds, as his mouth latched onto mine, eliciting a deep and thrilling kiss. I drove my fingers through his damp hair, inhaling the faint aroma of soap.

  “Oh, God, Mary,” he breathed against my throat. “How I adore you.”

  “I was so worried you’d never come back.”

  His eyes found mine. “I’m sorry, my love. It was only the weather.”

  “But it’s dangerous in the mountains, especially at this time of year.”

  “I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I hate that I caused you to worry so.”

  “How many days do we have together?”

  There wasn’t an inch of space between us. I marveled at the itchy quality of his body hair, as it rubbed against my naked skin. He was hard and contoured where I was soft and pliable, but I relished this difference, finding it fascinating. I wanted to explore him…every inch of him…thoroughly.

  “As many as you want.” His tenor had grown husky. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Oh, my goodness.” My belly had erupted with pleasurable tingles. “Kissing is a good start, and then…”

  “Yes?”

  I lowered my mouth to his throat, where I kissed him, inhaling a manly, soapy scent. “I can’t say.”

  “My shy little angel.” His arms closed around me. “Why don’t you show me what you want. Speaking isn’t really necessary.”

  “No,” I kissed his chin, “it’s not.”

  “We can talk…later.”

  “Hum…”

  Join Carré White’s Mail List

  http://carrewhite.wordpress.com/

  http://twitter.com/CarreWhite

  Other works by Carré White

  The Colorado Brides Series

  ***

  An Unexpected Widow

  An Unexpected Bride

  An Unexpected Annulment

  An Unexpected Mother

  An Unexpected Love

  An Unexpected Husband

  Prairie Madness

  The Arizona Brides Series

  ***

  An Audacious Spitfire

  More in this series coming soon

  Contemporary New Adult Romance

  ***

  Sonoran Nights

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Epilogue