An Unexpected Husband (The Colorado Brides Series) Read Online Free PDF

better, I would’ve considered workin’ as a dancehall girl, but I didn’t get lucky enough on that score.” She downed the contents of her glass. “I think I need another. It’s tasty, isn’t it?”
    “Yes.” I began to giggle. “Goodness. I feel funny.”
    “But…” she stared out the window. “This is what I wanted you to see. I probably shouldn’t be drawing attention like this, but…tarnation, why not?”
    “Pardon?”
    “There. You see him there.” She pointed to a man walking down the boardwalk wearing a top hat. “Do you recognize him?”
    I squinted. “Mr. Carlyle?”
    “That’s him.”
    “He’s a saloon customer?”
    “No ma’am. This gets even better. Watch where he goes.” The man in question stepped from the boardwalk after having passed the saloon, crossing the street.
    “Where is he going?” I pressed my forehead to the glass, feeling its coolness.
    “You can’t see?”
    “I…suppose I can.” He’d disappeared into an establishment. “Is that…The Tainted Rose?” It was a parlour house of ill repute.
    “It sure is.”
    I gasped. “He’s gone in there?”
    “He went last night. I only started working here a day ago, so I’m thinkin’ he’s gonna visit them soiled doves every night.”
    “I shouldn’t know this.” I struggled for a moment, not knowing what to make of this latest development. He was a bachelor, as his wife had passed away. “I shouldn’t judge him,” I murmured.
    “What?”
    “It’s not for us to judge how he spends his time.”
    “I know that. I just find it amusing. He’s not the only rich fella who frequents that place. I’ve seen plenty of other—”
    “Shush! I don’t want to know.” I sent up a silent prayer that none of the Hoffman sisters’ husbands were ever seen there. “Ignorance is blissful.” I drank the rest of the wine, feeling decidedly relaxed. “Should I have more?”
    “Help yourself.”
    “Is this allowed? I mean, won’t we be chastised for…drinking?”
    “I’m done for the day.”
    “But I still have Rosalind, if she wakes.” I hiccupped, surprising myself.
    “She slept decently enough last night. She might wake in a few hours.”
    “Oh.”
    Megan closed the drapes, sashaying to the sofa, where she sat. A threadbare robe hid her nightgown. “This is the life. Here we are in a fine hotel room, with plenty of food and drink. I can’t say I’m not fortunate right now. It sure is better than where I was livin’ before.”
    “Where was that?”
    “In a flat with three other families over on McGaa Street. I saw the advertisement, and I applied as fast as I could.”
    Pouring another sherry, I joined her, crossing one leg over the other, revealing a pair of thick socks. “Besides farm work, I’ve never earned a salary. It’s very exciting. I’m bursting with ideas of how I’ll spend the money. There’s a pretty blue silk evening gown at the mercantile I’ve got my eye on. A matching cape would be divine.”
    “I’m just hopin’ to save enough for my own place. Clothing ain’t a concern. I don’t need to bother attracting a man, cause nobody would want me now anyway.”
    “I’m sorry, Megan.” It had been thoughtless to talk about something as frivolous as shopping, when she had two mouths to feed and no husband. “I wouldn't rule out the possibility of finding a husband. There are plenty of men in Denver City who need wives. I’m sure someone will catch your eye.”
    She snorted, laughing, “Easy for a pretty young thing to say.”
    I bristled. “I’m hardly pretty.”
    She shrugged, yawning. “It don’t matter anyhow. I’m off to bed. I might be up later for Rosalind.”
    “Good night, Megan.”
    “Don’t forget to turn the lamps down.”
    “I won’t. I’ll go to bed soon too.” I had another sip of sherry, feeling agreeably numb. Even my nose was numb. I giggled, marveling at how strange I felt. Finishing the contents of the glass, I left it with the other, reaching for a