Read Donovan's Bed: The Calhoun Sisters, Book 1 for Free Online

companionship.”
    “There are certain kinds of companionship that all men are interested in.” Juliana wrinkled her nose and looked Sarah up and down; then her pointy features took on a sly cast. “I saw you go off with him Saturday night, Sarah. And then you came back with your hair all mussed. I suppose now we all know how you managed to describe his bed in such intricate detail.”
    “Everyone saw that bed when it came through town, Juliana,” Sarah retorted. “I’m just more observant than most.”
    “I’d say you got a closer look than the rest of us.” Juliana tucked a strand of dark hair back beneath her bonnet and gave Sarah a look of pure challenge. “As close as the mattress perhaps?”
    Silence descended. Sarah glanced from the spiteful glee on Juliana’s face to Mrs. Castor’s look of breathless anticipation. Emmaline’s eyes narrowed as they all awaited Sarah's response, surrounding her like crows picking over a carcass. She should have expected it after she let her anger get the best of her and wrote that article. She had learned the hard way not to let her emotions overrule her intellect, yet she had done just that. Her throat tightened as she realized that all her hard work to repair her reputation over the past three years had been for nothing. The slightest hint of a man in her life brought the whole scandal to life again.
    “Nothing to say, Sarah?” Juliana taunted.
    Sarah glared at the smaller woman. Though she felt like crying, she refused to let someone like Juliana Tremont belittle her.
    “Your manners are deplorable, Juliana,” she replied with a coldness that made the other woman gape. “Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I have work to do.” She took up the notepad that held Mrs. Castor’s announcement and dismissed the three by turning her back.
    A stunned silence followed, tension thickening the air until Sarah could barely breathe. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to give in to them. For three years she had allowed these women to dictate her way of life. She had played by their rules, never once straying from the path of respectability they set forth, and all to make up for a single error in judgment. Despite years of impeccable behavior on Sarah’s part, they still turned on her at the first hint of impropriety.
    No more.
    The words seared her brain like a cattle brand. No more would she let others control her life. She reached for the tray of type, her movements pure reflex as she began to set the announcement for the mayor’s wife.
    “Sarah Ann Calhoun,” Mrs. Castor finally said, her voice hoarse with shock. “I would not have believed such rudeness from you.”
    Emmaline chimed in. “I take back my invitation to the sewing circle, Sarah, unless you apologize to my sister at once.”
    “Yes, Sarah,” Juliana put in. “Do apologize.”
    Sarah didn’t look up from her task. Juliana Tremont was free to speak of beds and mattresses with impunity while she, Sarah, could not so much as wear the wrong dress without being censured. She was tired of paying for sins she had committed three years ago. She had a new life now, and a purpose. She needed to concentrate on that and let the rumors slip past her like dandelion seeds on the wind. She needed to stop caring so much what people said.
    But it was easier said than done.
    Sarah dared a quick glance behind her. Juliana’s face was beet red, but Sarah couldn’t say whether it was from embarrassment or anger. Emmaline whispered in Juliana’s ear while Mrs. Castor patted the younger woman’s arm in sympathy.
    “Come, sister,” Emmaline finally said. “We’re leaving.” The swift tap of footsteps and the scrape of the door punctuated her words. After a moment the slower treads of Mrs. Castor followed. Sarah looked up in time to see the three of them pass her window, heads bowed as they whispered amongst themselves. With a sigh, she put down her work and covered her face with shaking hands. Already she could