Click for: One Night With a Sweet-Talking Man ||His Boots Under Her Bed
The Lawman Said "I Do" || The Frasers: Clay

      On the way back they stopped at a fresh water spring to rest and water the horses. Caroline spread out a blanket and unpacked the basket.

     "This was the best I could do on such short notice," she said as she laid out thick slices of bread, cheese, and fruit.

     After they ate and drank their fill of the cool spring water, Nathan stretched out in the shade and fell asleep. It wasn' t long before Garrett and Buffer curled up beside him and did the same. Jed sat silently watching Caroline repack the basket.

     She could feel his stare, and felt a heated tingling in the pit of her stomach. "You' re staring at me, Mr. Fraser," she said, without raising her head.

     "I' m enjoying the view."

     The sensuousness in his voice was seductive, and she felt a hot flush of response to it. She knew if she looked up, she would see the desire in his eyes. As flattering as it was to be wanted by a man as attractive as Jed, she dare not look at him.

     Sitting down, she leaned back against a tree trunk. "This is my favorite spot. I come here often."

     "Alone?" he asked.

     "Yes, whenever I feel the need to be alone. It' s always peaceful and quiet here."

     "You still shouldn' t wander these hills alone."

     "Nonsense. I know this area like the back of my hand."

     "So you' ve got everything you want right here in the Napa Valley."

     "I'm contented here, if that' s what you mean. But I would hope that one day I would marry."

     "Is there a man in your life?"

     "That' s a very personal question. How would you like me asking you the same thing?"

     "I apologize. It' s just that I can' t visualize a woman as desirable as you without a special man in her life."

     "Right now I do have one. Matter of fact I have two." She glanced at the sleeping pair.

     "You need more than that, Caroline."

     The soft lilt of her laughter was like the riffle of a harp. "No thank you. I have my hands full enough with just the two of them."

     "I mean you need a man to take care of your needs. To remind you of how beautiful you are, how pleasing it is to listen to your voice or hear the sound of your laughter."

     She could listen to him for hours. His voice was hypnotic, drawing her deeper and deeper into the spell he wove so artfully with his words. She yearned to close her eyes and succumb to the picture he painted.

     For she was human. As much a woman as any of those vainglorious twits in Virginia he' d seduced. Just because she wasn' t as giddy and flirtatious as they didn' t mean the female in her didn' t respond to his magnetism. And in truth hadn't she often thought in the past nine years of what it would be like to be held and loved by a man she loved?

     Regardless of her needs of which he spoke—and she admittedly often fantasized over such needs—all paled at the thought of the consequences that could follow if she surrendered to such whimsy. So she knew she dare not because the man in those fantasies must not, and could never be Jed Fraser.

     And no matter what the temptation, she must hold firmly to last night' s decision, and not weaken from that resolve.

     "And what of your needs, Mr. Fraser?"

     "I thought we had a first-name agreement."

     "Do you have a special woman in your life, Jed?" A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "I know they were tripping over their party pumps in Virginia."

     He couldn' t help grinning. "Now how would you know that, Caroline. I don' t recall you ever attending a party in Virginia."

     "Ladies do talk."

     "Shame on you; I' m surprised. You don' t strike me as the kind to kiss and tell."

     "You' re right; I' m not. I merely listen."

     "All joking aside, did you really hate Virginia that much?" he asked.

     "Does it really matter to you?"

     "If you mean is it any of my business, I would have to say no. But there' s so much bitterness at times in your voice when you mention the word that I hate to think you can' t put it behind you and get on with your life."

     She thrust out her chin. "Perhaps for your remaining stay we would be wiser not to mention the word. She stood up and went over to the spring. For a long moment she gazed into the water, her arms folded across her chest. Then she turned back with a smile.

     "You' ve avoided answering my question, Jed. Is there a special woman in your life?"

     "Very much so."

     "That doesn' t surprise me. Are you married?"

     "You could say that."

     "Now who' s being evasive, either you are or you aren' t? But I won' t pry any longer. It' s none of my business." She started to walk away.

     "I' m married to the sea, Caroline." She halted and turned back to him. "I' ve loved her from my youth. No woman could ever hold my heart and soul the way she does."

     "That' s very poetic, but quite unrealistic. You spoke of my needs, and then allude that yours are intangible...incorporeal. I don' t think so, Jed. Your conduct reflects that your needs are no less...earthy...than mine. But I don' t delude myself into believing I could never love a mortal man."

     "I don' t deny you' re right, Caroline. I would like to believe that there is the one woman for me out there. I just haven' t met her yet. Maybe my next port. Or the one beyond that. And perhaps I misspoke earlier. I meant to imply that because of my preference to go to sea, and thus be gone most of the time, I would make a poor excuse of a husband to a woman foolish enough to love me."

     "I would imagine that would be for the woman to decide. I never heard my mother express such regrets."

     "And you, Caroline. Did you regret your father' s lengthy absences?"

     "I thought about him often and missed him when he was gone. But, on the other hand, it made every moment he was home more precious to me. I know as a child then, and a woman now, I would never wish for any other father."

     "I' m not referring to a father, Caroline. How would you feel if it was a husband, the man you love?"

     "I couldn' t bear not being with him, and would never understand why he wouldn't feel the same about me. I guess I' m too possessive...too selfish. Other than the love of God, I couldn' t tolerate anything other than the love of his family in the heart of the man I marry.

     "To wake in the morning and close my eyes at night with him beside me, and not have him off on some distant sea or foreign country.

     "I want to see his clothes hanging beside mine in the closet, smell his pipe smoke in the evening as we sit in front of our fireplace talking over the day' s passing. See him holding our children on his lap as he reads to them."

     For a long moment she sat in reflection, then looked at him and smiled. "I' m afraid my answer to your question is indisputable, Jed."

     Her pause stretched into an awkward pause until she said, "I guess we should wake the others and be on our way."

     He nodded. "As you wish."

     He stood up and reached out a hand to pull her to her feet. His gaze never altered from hers as the warm grasp of his hand closed around her own. A sensuous message passed between them and she knew he had felt the same jolt of excitement from the contact. His mouth was so close she thought he was going to kiss her, and she braced herself for that assault on her waning resistance.

 

Excerpt from ONE NIGHT WITH A SWEET-TALKING MAN
© Ana Leigh, 2008 - All rights reserved
Pocket Star - a February 2008 Release
ISBN 1-4165-5136-0
Order a Copy

     Garth had returned to Rory’s rooming house, and when no one answered his knock, he’d spent the next quarter of an hour searching for her. He finally located her in the diner.

     For a long moment he watched her through the window. She looked like a schoolgirl, with her face scrubbed clean and her long hair tied back with a blue ribbon. He felt the heated surge to his groin. Every time he saw her, his desire grew greater.

     She appeared to be deep in thought as she gazed into space and raised a cup to her mouth to sip from it. The sight of it evoked a memory of Lissy and Becky sitting at the kitchen table the morning he said good-bye to them several weeks ago. Despite that tough façade she presented, Rory was very much like them.

     Sure, she was used to a different kind of life, but she wasn’t any less vulnerable and feminine. And she probably harbored the same kind of dreams as his sister and his brother’s wife. And all three weathered whatever life threw at them with an amazing innocence—and a damn lot of grit.

     Rory fascinated him. He liked her humor and the sound of her laughter. And every time he looked at her, his groin told him that wasn’t all he liked about her. Yeah, he wouldn’t mind sticking around for a couple more days—but right now, getting hung up on a gal didn’t fit into his plans. A good time was all he had in mind.

     Her expression suddenly changed, and he couldn’t help grinning, because whatever she was thinking caused her to thrust that pert little chin of hers up in the air.

     He opened the door and went inside. “Good morning, Miss O’Grady,” he said with a wide smile.

     “Good morning and good-bye.” She resumed drinking her coffee.

     “I’ve been peeking in store windows looking for the prettiest girl in town. I finally found her. May I join you?”

     She glanced up at him. “Did I ever mention I can’t abide cheery people in the morning until at least my second cup of coffee?”

     He removed his hat, pulled out a chair, and sat down. “And how many cups have you had?”

     “Only one.”

     He motioned to the nearby waiter.

     “Pop said you left early,” she said, after the waiter refilled her cup.

     “I’m an early riser.”

     “I usually am, too. I don’t know what got into me,” she said.

     He leaned back in the chair and stared at her.

     Finally she sighed and put down the cup. “Okay, what’s on your mind, Fraser?”

     “I was thinking how cute you look this morning.”

     “Cute?” She laughed infectiously. “Nobody’s called me cute since my mother died. Don’t tell me that line worked for you before, Fraser?”

     “Well, how else would I describe you? Curls the color of cornsilk, eyes as blue as a summer sky, and cheeks as rosy as a ...ah...”

     “Rose,” she gibed. “Please, Fraser, I just ate; give me a chance to digest my food.”

     “You feel like taking a walk, Rory?”

     “Where to?”

     “Some peaceful place where we can be alone.”

     She arched a curved brow. “And you only have talking in mind?”

     “Why would you doubt it? I do have talking in mind, but since I met you, I’ll admit I always have another thought on my mind. Afraid to take the risk?”

     Despite her common sense, Rory was flattered by his continued attraction for her. And since she enjoyed his company, she felt confident enough to be reckless when she saw the challenge in his brown eyes.

     “I know just the place,” she said.

     She led him to a shaded hillside overlooking the ocean, deserted except for some seagulls sunning themselves on the rocks below. They sat down and for a long moment gazed at the waves crashing against the rocks.

     “It’s nice here,” he said. “Kind of as if you’re in a different world, isn’t it?”

     “I discovered it a couple weeks ago,” Rory said. “I come here every day now to escape for a few hours. Just the seagulls, the ocean, and me.”

     He stretched out and tucked his hands under his head. “Do you ever plan on settling down, Rory?”

     “Certainly. And I hope it will be sooner, rather than later. But I don’t think I’ll be that lucky. What about you?”

     “Much later, rather than sooner. I’m just getting started,” he said. “Where are you planning on going when you leave here?”

     She gazed pensively at the blue waters of the Pacific. “Wherever the road leads, I guess. Do you have a wife or sweetheart waiting for you back in Virginia?”

     “No wife. No sweetheart. I never came near to wanting either. Now the war’s over, my folks are gone, and my brothers and sister have gotten on with their lives, so now I can get on with mine. What about you, Rory? Ever been married or in love?”

     “No.”

     “How long do you expect to move around with your father?”

     “I always figured on doing so until something or someone came along that appealed to me more. That hasn’t happened yet, so I’ll stick with Pop until it does. He and I get along well, and we’re both pretty much our own person.” Her eyes danced with deviltry. “Although he does accuse me at times of being as bossy as my maternal grandmother.”

     “What happens if you fall in love, or get married?”

     “Then I guess we’d have to go our separate ways, because I doubt a husband would want him to live with us, any more than Pop would be willing to give up his wandering ways. He’s a nomad at heart—and very set in his ways. I love him dearly, though, and his illness really has me scared. I wish he would decide to settle down, but it’s not his nature. Whatever you do, don’t mention your gold mine to him, or he’ll grab a pick and be off with you. You’re both dreamers.”

     He sat up and she sensed what he was about to say. Before he could, she said, “So, you’re getting ready to leave. Today or tomorrow?”

     “Tomorrow morning.”

     “I could tell you were holding back something you didn’t want to tell me. Why not? For the past two nights, I’ve been telling you to get out of this town. As soon as Pop gets his strength back we’ll be saying good-bye to this place, too, and believe me, it will be the happiest day of my life.”

     “I hate to say good-bye to you, Rory.”

     She forced a smile. “You’d have to sometime anyway, so better sooner than later. Besides, you’re not going to find gold in this town.”

     “How can you be sure? I might be looking at it right now.”

     Her eyes flashed with amusement. “Those are pretty sweet words, Garth Fraser, but I’m still not going to go to bed with you.”

     “I’m not saying it just to get you into bed, Rory; I mean what I said. There’s something very different about you from the other girls I’ve met in saloons. And even though we’ve known each other for just a short time, I want you to know you can always count on me as a friend.”

     “Although I believe you’re sincere, Garth, I think some of what you feel is more gratitude than friendship.”

     He picked up her hand and clasped it between his own. “Of course I’m grateful to you; you saved my life. But I meant what I said. As much as I want you physically, I want you as a friend just as much.”

     She laughed lightly. “So that’s why you went upstairs with Shelia.”

     “Will you forget that, please? My brain was between my legs, Rory.”

     “I already figured that out—and it still is.” She slipped her hand out of his.

     Garth clutched his hands to his chest dramatically. “You wound me, lady. It’s my heart that I’m thinking with now. Surely you must have a soft spot for me. How can you just say good-bye and that’s the end of it, when you know how much I want to make love to you?”

     “Some good-byes are more painful than others, and I admit I’ve come to like you very much—but I have no intention of letting you make love to me. So please don’t make this any harder than it is.”

     He threw his hands up hopelessly. “Okay, I admit it. I had a score to settle with Bates and Skull and some unfinished business with you. So I sure wasn’t going to run away. There’s no doubt they’re gone now; and try as I might, it looks like I’m not getting anywhere with you, either—so I guess I have no excuse to hang around any longer. But I expect to have the last laugh, when I hit my strike and split it with you for saving my life.”

     “And just how do you expect to find me if you do?”

     “Not if, when. I’ll be so rich then, I’ll be able to put a dozen bloodhounds to sniffing your trail.”

     She laughed gaily. “Well, I’ll look forward to it. And you surprise me, Mr. Fraser. I didn’t expect you to surrender so easily.”

     He rolled over on his side and pulled her down beside him. “Lady, if you’re flirting with me, I could read a lot into that statement.”

     “Such as?” she asked, with a coquettish toss of her head.

     Lying back, he pulled her across him and searched her face with a seductive gaze. “Like I said, we’ve some unfinished business, Rory O’Grady. And I’ll find you again wherever you go.”

     “Even when you’re as rich as Croesus,” she teased.

     “Richer,” he murmured.

     “You are making this good-bye painful,” she whispered. Dipping her head, she kissed him.

     “Oh God, baby,” Garth murmured, when she broke the kiss and raised her head. He slipped his hands into her hair and pulled her back.

     “Don’t get your hopes too high, because it won’t do you any good. We’ve got company,” she said breathlessly. She nodded toward two children who had appeared on the top of the hillside above them.

     Garth sat up in disbelief. “Why, Lord? What did I ever do to deserve this?”

Excerpt from HIS BOOTS UNDER HER BED
© Ana Leigh, 2006 - All rights reserved
Pocket Star - a December 2006 Release
ISBN 0-743-46997-6
Order a Copy

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Excerpt from...
The Lawman Said "I Do"
book two in The Frasers series (Colt's story)
     by Ana Leigh

 

     Cassie decided to make her own departure as well, and rose to her feet. "Thank you for your help, Mr. Fraser."

     She had not taken more than two steps when he caught up with her. "Miss Braden, I think you shouldn’t attempt to walk. I insist upon driving you home."

     "That's really not necessary. My head is cleared now."

     "It’s settled. I owe you that for the inconvenience I've caused you."

     Nothing was settled as far as she was concerned. Particularly her climbing into a carriage with this persistent man.

     "Mr. Fraser—"

     "Colt," he corrected.

     "Ah, . . . Colt, the accident was my fault, as much as yours. It's not necessary for you to feel any obligation—"

     "The matter's settled." That forceful jaw she had rashly admired had settled into steadfast determination, and he grasped her elbow in a firm grip.

     Cassie soon found herself ensconced on the seat of the carriage. She felt more intimidated by this intimate proximity than she did by the size of him, even though he had to be several inches over six feet and almost 200 pounds of muscle and hard flesh. The pure male essence of the man was overpowering.

     He turned his head and studied her with a slow, sensual perusal.

     "Well?" he asked.

     "Well, what?" she challenged. Her belligerent tone dared him to make one suggestive remark. That's all she was waiting for; it would give her a good excuse to get out of the carriage.

     As if Colt had read her thoughts, he inquired in a concerned tone, "Feeling any better?"

     "I’m fine." Darn it, Cassie, why are you making a fool of yourself? "The pills helped," she added in a conciliatory tone.

     "I bet you haven't eaten any dinner."

     "You're right." Now tired and hungry, she realized the day had slipped away from her.

     "Well, bravo to you, Miss Braden. There’s nothing I admire as much as a good sport. To show you I’m the same, I’ll even let you pay for my dinner if you want to."

     She gulped in surprise. "Are you serious?"

     "Certainly. I’m very comfortable in my own skin, Miss Braden; I’ve got nothing to prove. That’s why firecracker females dressed in men’s clothing, bucking stallions, obnoxious children, and immature practical jokers don’t scare me."

     She couldn’t help matching his grin. He was the good sport he claimed to be. "Welcome to Arena Roja, Mr. Fraser. I’m glad we understand each other."

     His grin widened. "That we do."

     "I don’t think the town’s ever met anyone like you before."

     The room suddenly shrunk into an intimate corner booth that seemed to get even smaller when he leaned toward her and the full potency of his gaze focused on her.

     "Does that bother you, Teach?"

     She had backed herself into this corner, and she’d make the best of it.

     "I’d have to say Arena Roja is impressed. You appear to be a welcome fixture around here, Colt."

     It worked. He leaned back. "This is a small, friendly community."

     "But you’ve only been here for a day. You’ve hardly had a chance to get to know us."

     "Since I’m going to be the deputy for a week, I spent most of it meeting the local residents. I’ve always wanted to be a lawman, and this opportunity will give me some experience in upholding the peace in a quiet, little town."

     "The town’s not so quiet when the hands come in Saturday night. You’ll find that out on Saturday when they show up."

     "That’s even better. The experience will do me good."

     He raised his hand to attract Harry’s attention. "What would you like to drink? Wine? Perhaps a cordial?"

     "Nothing for me, thank you. But don’t let that stop you from having whatever you want."

     He ordered a glass of beer, then studied her like a cat eyeing a bowl of cream.

     She was certain he hadn’t invited her to dinner just out of the goodness of his heart! If he was looking for a "good time" girl, he was in for a big disappointment.

    "Deputy, I hope you understand there are no strings attached to this dinner."

    "Doggone it! I was hoping you had an ulterior motive."

    "Very funny, Deputy Fraser."

    Colt picked up her left hand in a warm grasp, and her pulses leapt to the touch. "I’m glad to see that there’s no ring on this hand, though."

    "I am engaged." She quickly withdrew her hand from his.

    "Really? Where’s the lucky man hiding?"

    "He hasn’t returned from the war yet."

    With an amicable grin, he leaned back again. "His loss is my gain, because engaged or not, I'm enjoying the company."

    She soon discovered he was a delightful conversationalist and listened to his amusing descriptions of the pitfalls to avoid when you’re too young to know what you’re doing, most of which he had committed.

    She found herself returning his entertaining chatter and disturbing grin with an amused chuckle or smile of her own.

    By the time coffee was served, a relaxed companionship had blossomed between them. Colt leaned closer.

    Cassie became very aware of the huskiness in his voice, of his head bent attentively above hers as they talked quietly, and the warm pressure of his thigh against her own.

    A long time had elapsed since she’d spent an evening with a man as attractive as Colt Fraser, and she felt a desire for him that she’d never felt for Ted. Yet she had only met this man the previous day!

    Alarmed by her secret thoughts, when he slipped his hand to her thigh, she snapped, "I'm an old-fashioned girl, Mr. Fraser."

    "What does that mean?"

    "It means I am not promiscuous.” Cassie lifted his hand off her leg.

    Weighing her through shuttered lids, he took a sip of coffee. "I'm impressed."

    She gave him a skeptical glance. "I just bet you are."

     "Why would you doubt it?"

     "Do you have any idea how many times some passing cowboy has tried to get me to climb into the hayloft with him? Why do you think I prefer to dress in men’s clothing?"

     Colt burst into laughter. "Are you saying that beneath that men’s shirt and pants lurks the heart of a frightened female?"

     The amusement she saw in his eyes was as compelling as his contagious laughter.

     "Hardly frightened," she countered good-naturedly. "Merely bored with men who think I can’t tell what their intentions are. For instance, yours."

     "Mine are clear, Miss Braden. I only have a week to get you into that hayloft before I leave town."

     "Then you’re squandering valuable time on me, Deputy. It would be better spent with one of the girls at the Alhambra." She stood up. "The dinner was delicious, but I must get back home."

     "Of course." He got to his feet and picked up the check.

     "We had an agreement. I’ll buy the dinner."

     "Next time."

     "What makes you think there’ll be a next time?" she asked.

     "You know as well as I that there will be, Cassie."

     "Is that a challenge?"

     "Honey, it’s been a challenge from the moment we looked at each other."

     He was right about that, she thought as he took her arm and they left.

     Once again the intimate confines of the carriage’s front seat made her disturbingly aware of him as he drove her home. There, he jumped off, lifted her down, and walked her to the porch.

     "I'll pick you up at eight o'clock for breakfast."

     Cassie didn’t want further contact with Colt Fraser; he was too dangerous. "That isn't necessary. I’ll be eating here with my sister."

     "She’s welcome to join us. Will you extend the invitation to her?"

     "Colt, I just told you I don’t intend to have breakfast with you."

     His deep-brown eyes locked with hers. "Do you really prefer that I don’t attempt to see you again? Why are you afraid, Cassie? Nothing’s going to happen between us unless you let it happen."

     "Why would you doubt it?"

     "Do you have any idea how many times some passing cowboy has tried to get me to climb into the hayloft with him? Why do you think I prefer to dress in men’s clothing?"

     Colt burst into laughter. "Are you saying that beneath that men’s shirt and pants lurks the heart of a frightened female?"

     The amusement she saw in his eyes was as compelling as his contagious laughter.

     "Hardly frightened," she countered good-naturedly. "Merely bored with men who think I can’t tell what their intentions are. For instance, yours."

     "Mine are clear, Miss Braden. I only have a week to get you into that hayloft before I leave town."

     The challenge again. "And you can be certain nothing will happen. I enjoy your company, Colt, but it would be wiser not to see you again."

     "Why?" he asked softly. "Is it me or yourself that you don’t trust?"

     He was too intuitive for his own good, but she refused to be intimidated by that dark-eyed gaze of his.

     "As I told you earlier, Colt, I’m engaged to another man."

     "So you are. You're also a very lovely and fascinating woman, Cassie Braden. I want very much to see you again."

     Mesmerized, she watched the slow, inexorable descent of his lips. He kissed her forehead—gently, tenderly and exquisitely excitingly, and then trailed light kisses down her cheek and claimed her lips.

     The kiss sent shivers of excitement to the pit of her stomach. All evening, with his head so close to hers, she’d wondered what his kiss would be like. Now she gave herself freely to the delicious sensation.

     "You really don’t want to say goodnight now, do you?" he whispered when it ended, his warm breath a tantalizing temptation at her ear.

     She was assailed with mixed feelings—anger toward him for being so aggressive and disgust with herself for allowing him to awaken desires that she had kept dormant for years.

     "I . . . ah . . . most definitely do. Thank you again for dinner. I hope the kiss was worth the cost of it."

     "I'll pick you up at eight o'clock on the dot."

     Maybe that cocky confidence of his worked with other women, but he was dead wrong if he thought his will was stronger than hers.

     "Good night, Colt."

     Cassie opened the door and went inside.

     Cathy was already asleep, so Cassie went to her own room. By rote, she got ready for bed. Every instinct she possessed warned her against Colt Fraser. Since Ted’s departure, she had found it easy to shun involvement with any other man—until now. She touched her lips, which still tingled from his kiss.

     Her attraction to Colt Fraser was a betrayal of her love for Ted.

     "And if I were ever to fall in love with someone else, it wouldn’t be a footloose womanizer like Colt Fraser."

     With that determination, Cassie closed her eyes.

 

Excerpt from THE LAWMAN SAID "I DO"
© Ana Leigh, 2005 - All rights reserved
Pocket Star - A January 2006 Release
ISBN 0-743-46996-8
Order a Copy

     Too excited to try to sleep a moment longer, Rebecca rose at four o’clock and peeked out the hotel window. Fires from a dozen blacksmiths’ forges blazed brightly, and the clanging of their hammers had sounded day and night from the time she’d arrived in Independence. Due to the wagon train’s departure, the hotel and general stores had remained open throughout the night for any necessary last-minute sales. She packed up her belongings and went down to the dining room.

     Rebecca had just finished eating when Clay and Garth came in. "Good morning," she said pleasantly.

     "Good morning, Becky," Garth replied, but Clay ignored her greeting. "All ready for the big day?"

     She smiled excitedly. "I’m about ready to burst at the seams."

     "I think we all are," he said. "Well, I promised to meet Scotty at the corral. I’ll see you later."

     "Why didn’t you wake us when you got up?" Clay asked, as he sat down.

     "I wasn’t aware waking you was my responsibility. I’m quite willing to cook your and Garth’s meals, but that’s where it begins and ends."

     "Your generosity is overwhelming, madam."

     She also needed to lay down one very important ground rule before the journey began.

     "Although it’s necessary to keep up an appearance of being newlyweds, that does not extend to sharing a bed together."

     Clay simply looked amused.

     Oh, the man was exasperating, but she had looked forward to this day too long to let him ruin it for her. She smiled sweetly at him. "Just so you understand, Clayton."

     He returned her false smile. "I think you’re the one who doesn’t understand, Rebecca. There are several obligations that go along with that marriage license you were so eager to . . . procure, one of which is conjugal rights. I intend to honor that obligation as well as my pledge to protect you."

     She stiffened. "I don’t require your protection any more than I need you in my bed."

     "You should have considered that before you took an oath to become my lawful wife."

     "Are you going back on your word, Clayton? We agreed to an annulment. If we become intimate, that would be an impossibility, and you know it."

     "The annulment was all your idea, Rebecca. I never agreed to any such arrangement. Through no desire on my part, we are lawfully husband and wife, and I honor any vow I make. So I intend to try and become a good husband to you, Rebecca, and I expect you to take your vow just as seriously. If you see that as a problem, dear wife, I’d advise you to think twice before we start this journey—because you will have to honor all a wife’s obligations."

     He stood up to leave. "I thought about this for a long time last night, Rebecca. I was damn angry over this trick you pulled, but after further thought, I came to the conclusion that this marriage might not be such a bad idea after all. A good-looking woman to cook my meals, wash my clothes, and warm my bed at night. Yep, it could make a long journey considerably more comfortable than I’d anticipated."

     "You southerners just can’t envision your lives without a slave, can you?" Rebecca was seething with anger, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing how much his words disturbed her.

     "You have about an hour to make up your mind, Mrs. Fraser."

     Oh, what a blackguard! How could Garth claim his brother was a fair and compassionate man? Clayton Fraser was a smug, arrogant despot.

     Well, he didn’t intimidate her. His honor! His oaths! His obligations! The man’s inflated opinion of himself was enough to turn her stomach. Well, he may have struck the first blow in this war between them, but the day hadn’t dawned when any Rebel secessionist could outmaneuver a born-and-bred Yankee like her!

 

Excerpt from THE FRASERS: CLAY
© Ana Leigh, 2004 - All rights reserved
Pocket Star - An April 2004 Release
ISBN 0-743-46994-1
Order a Copy

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