Tempting Prudence: The Bride Train Read Online Free PDF Page B

gaped at the madman. “You’re as insane as your brothers, Mr. Archer.”
    The intensity burning in his extraordinary eyes flickered out as if her reply had doused the flames. His back grew as straight as the chair and his features took on a stillness that indicated she’d offended him. “Childers, that’s my surname, Miss Walker. Archer is my given name. But everybody calls me Arch.”
    She had gotten his name wrong, and insulted him. Despite the absurdity of his proposal and whatever motive had prompted it, she had no cause to be rude, and especially in light of how well he had cared for her. The fault had to be this headache—that, and her fearful situation. “I apologize, Mr. Childers.”
    “No apology needed. Reckon I didn’t make my name clear enough.”
    “I’m apologizing for calling you insane.”
    “You offended me more by comparing me to my brothers.”
    Prudence searched his eyes. Amusement lurked in the blue depths. He was back to teasing her, which must be his way of dealing with a tense situation. After seeing him get so angry, she worried he might have a bad temper. Good thing he was more duck than bear—as her grandfather would’ve said—letting things roll off his back rather than taking a grudge into hibernation. “Only in one way did I seek to make a comparison—your sanity. I grant I might’ve been mistaken in that.”
    “Good to hear you make mistakes. A perfect woman can be tedious.” The side of his mouth lifted in crooked smile, prompting a flutter in her chest.
    “I’m far from perfect, I assure you…” Ah, this provided a way to refuse him without implying he was lacking in some way. “In fact, you’d find me a very poor wife. Stubborn. Opinionated. Difficult to please…” She listed her worst qualities. “One day you’ll thank me for refusing you.”
    His steady regard didn’t waver. The way he looked at her, as if he could see through her, made her nerves jump. Though her head felt better.
    Prudence touched her temple. Indeed, the throbbing had lessened and her stomach didn’t pitch anymore. “Why, I believe your mother’s tonic helped…”
    “Good. Now you need something to eat. If you can’t stomach that soup, how about biscuits?” He stood. Apparently her refusal didn’t upset him overmuch. He hadn’t demanded an explanation or attempted to change her mind. For some reason, this annoyed her.
    “You do understand why I can’t marry you…”
    He paused in front of the hanging blanket. “I understand why you might not be ready to accept my proposal, but we’ll get there…”
    Her mouth dropped open at the same time he dropped the curtain behind him. He intended to hold her here until she came around? He couldn’t truly mean to go through with it. Or maybe he did, and that’s why his brothers had abducted her. There were too many men, not enough women, so why not steal one? Only an immoral man could come up with that kind of logic.
    Prudence threw back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed.
    The ropes beneath the feather mattress creaked.
    She froze, waiting, half expecting him to come storming back and order her to bed. He might use force to stop her from leaving.
    From the other side of the curtain came the sound of whistling.
    Dixie.
    Hearing that song made her skin crawl. Prudence put her hands over her ears. No dyed-in-the-wool Confederate for her, and he had to be a democrat. She made a face. Another reason she wouldn’t marry him—as if she needed another reason.
    Taking advantage of the continued noise behind the curtain, she braced her hands and inched forward, sliding until her feet touched the dirt floor. The room didn’t spin thank heavens. A wad of cotton inside her head remained, which was a feeling that would soon pass. After being in bed for two days, she ought to expect her mind would be fuzzy.
    She didn’t see her dress. He’d left his coat hanging on the back of the chair. She shrugged on the garment, which