Laurel: Bride of Arkansas (American Mail-Order Bride 25) Read Online Free PDF Page A

wisdom of confronting him about his behavior. Had he no manners? Didn’t he know how important a reputation was in any town, especially a small one?
    Once they were upstairs, he unlocked the door and followed her inside, but remained by the open door.
    “I’ll go over to the saloon while you get ready for bed.” He removed his coat and hung it on the back of the chair. “How long do you want me to stay away?”
    She stood facing the window that looked out onto the street, her thoughts in turmoil. She knew what he expected from her, she wasn’t naïve about the wedding night. But, after his ungentlemanly statement in front of their hosts and guests, how could he assume her to be willing? Her situation might be dire, but she wasn’t that desperate. She had to let him know from the start that he couldn’t treat her badly and receive privileges.
    “Laurel?”
    “I think, Mr. Benning, you should find another place to sleep tonight.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “I didn’t appreciate your comment this evening. It was crude, embarrassing, and unnecessary.” She jumped slightly as the door closed with a thunk.
    “Aren’t you being a little over sensitive?”
    “Am I?” She straightened her shoulders, folded her arms across her waist, and turned around. “We don’t know each other, so I don’t know if you were tired, trying to be funny, or just plain cranky. Whatever the issue, you put me in an untenable position for being new in Flat Rock Point.
    “My reputation has to be established and be above reproach for you, your daughters and myself. I’m not a prude and I enjoy a joke as much as anyone, but some things, be they direct or implied, should remain between you and me.”
    He examined his work boots and raised his gaze to meet hers. “All right, I apologize. I’ll think about what you said, and I’ll find a card game that’ll last most of the night. Sleep well.”
    “Won’t you try to sleep?”
    Glancing toward the window, he said, “Like you, I have a reputation to uphold. My friends at the saloon are expecting me to bed my wife and I can’t do that if I’m not here.”
    She gave that a thought and realized he was right. “I take your point, Griffin. You may sleep here.”
    Giving her a wicked smile, he grabbed the coverlet and a pillow off the bed and threw them in a pile on the floor beneath the window. He removed his boots, tossed his hat onto a chair, laid down and faced the wall. “Good night, Mrs. Benning.”
    He couldn’t have surprised her more if he’d wrapped the curtains around his head and danced around the room. She’d expected him to try to charm his way into her bed and, if she’d allowed herself to dwell on it, she might have been a little disappointed he didn’t. He was a handsome man and she was admittedly curious about the things young ladies weren’t supposed to think about.
    She sat on the edge of the bed, slipped off her shoes and unfastened her blouse. It would be a slice of heaven to escape the confines of her corset, but she was simply too tired to manage it. She’d change her clothes tomorrow. Resting her head on the pillow, she closed her eyes and thought about her new home, her new husband, and her new life.
     
    ***
     
    Griffin balanced the tray of ham, eggs, biscuits and gravy on one hand as he opened the door to the hotel room. He’d awakened an hour ago with his face drenched in morning sunlight, his neck stiff as a log, and his stomach grabbing onto his backbone. Laurel was still sleeping, so he tried to keep the noise down as he entered.
    He poured himself a cup of coffee from the pot and stuffed a slice of ham into a biscuit and settled in to watch his wife sleep. She was as pretty asleep as she was awake and he sent another thank you heavenward for his good fortune. He hoped she was as pleased with the hand she’d drawn.
    She stretched and yawned, and looked about the room as if to gain her bearings. When she caught sight of him, she sat straight up in the bed