Gillian: Bride of Maine (American Mail-Order Bride 23) Read Online Free PDF Page B

dress.
    “Rhys?”
    He sank back onto the bed and ran the back of his hand over the curve of her cheek. “Go back to sleep, Gillian. I have to tend the light.”
    She moved closer to him. “I could help. Just give me…” This time he cut her off with a kiss before pulling just far enough away so he could speak. He pressed his forehead to hers.
    “I want you to sleep tonight. You need your rest after giving yourself to me.”
    The heat in her cheeks rose to feverish levels, and she swallowed. “Okay. But next time, I’ll help.”
    He smiled and brushed a kiss on her forehead. “Next time.”
    With that, he pushed off the bed, yanked on a shirt, and was gone. Gillian snuggled under the heavy quilts, seeking the warmth now missing from their bed. In a desperate act, she moved to his side of the bed to absorb the heat he’d left there. She wasn’t sure if this was how it was supposed to be in a marriage like theirs, and wondered if other women so brazenly gave themselves just hours after meeting their men. Even as the thought crossed her mind, she couldn’t bring herself to care. They were married, and there was no sense in denying either of them this part of marriage. She snuggled deeper under the quilts and chuckled. Plus, she’d quite enjoyed it and knew she’d given Rhys pleasure as well.
    There was one moment during their time when a strange look had crossed his face like he pictured another. In a flash, it had disappeared, and he called Gillian’s name, but it still cut at Gillian’s heart. She knew from his letters…or the letters sent by the village…he’d been married before, and his first wife had played him false and divorced him. She didn’t want him picturing that witch’s face when he was with her. She came here knowing exactly what a lighthouse keeper’s life entailed, and she welcomed it. When she sent the first letter, she’d decided if she agreed to marry the man once they met, it would be forever. She’d given her vows to Rhys, and to Rhys she’d remain true all of her days.
    A twinge of guilt hit her in the stomach. She knew his past, but she hadn’t been as truthful about hers. Yes, she’d written about being from Maine and troubles at home sending her to Massachusetts, and the fire that had her searching for a new home. She hadn’t mentioned where in Maine she was from or who her father was. She’d have to set that right with Rhys, and she’d have to do it that very day.
    Rhys swore. He should have been tending the light an hour ago. And of all things, he shouldn’t have been bedding Gillian Darrow…he shook his head… Gillian Chermont. What had he been thinking? It was one thing to offer a woman a home, but tying her to him in the most base fashion after only knowing her a few hours was unconscionable. He’d wondered at her innocence when she’d been more than willing, but an innocent she was, and that was even more reason not to act like an animal who couldn’t control his needs.
    Did she really understand the life she’d just signed up for? A lighthouse keeper was tied to the light. Yes, Deacon would watch the light for him for a few hours here and there, but it was his responsibility and one he didn’t take lightly. He’d received commendations from the inspectors, and he took pride in his work. His pay wouldn’t stretch far. At $550 a month he was far from a wealthy man. The coal allowance along with the allowances for meat, provisions and, of course, oil for the lamp kept him comfortable, but there wouldn’t be much extra for new dresses or fancy bobbles. What had he done?
    Blast him, it had been wonderful though. Gillian was as giving with her body as she’d proven to be with everything. He’d never experienced such a night. That she’d slept snug against him and woke when he moved from her had broken through a wall he’d long been building around his heart. Miriam slept as far away as possible and never moved when he left the bed to tend the light. What was