Read Linda Ford for Free Online Page A

curiosity and abject boredom would overcome fear in short order. “Thanks for bringing the chairs.”
    “There’s food and other things I figured you might need in order to survive.” He indicated the sack he’d dropped on the floor.
    “Thank you.” She started to edge away from Grady’s grip. “I’ll see to tea.” Please let there be something in that sack I can prepare.
    Eddie signaled her to remain seated. “First, I’d like to hear the answer to Mrs. Godfrey’s question.”
    Linette shook her head and did her best to look confused, as if she didn’t recall.
    The way Eddie quirked one eyebrow she knew she hadn’t fooled him. Nevertheless, he repeated Cassie’s question. “Why would you cross the ocean and most of North America to marry a stranger? Surely there are interested men in England.”
    Linette’s shudder was sincere. “Of course, and my father made sure all the men I met were suitable in his estimation.” She tried to keep her voice strong but suspected everyone heard the tremor that came from the pit of her stomach. She swallowed hard and forced back her revulsion. “He agreed to a marriage between myself and a distant relative who to all accounts is rich in land and money.” She clamped her teeth together to keep from revealing how disgusting she found the idea then released them to speak again. “He is a fat old man.”
    “How old?” Eddie’s voice rang with doubt.
    “He’s fifty-one.” Did he think she’d made up the age difference? Even that wouldn’t have been so bad. It was the way the man looked at her, his eyes undressing her as he licked his lips like a hungry dog. Realizing she clutched at her upper arms as if to protect herself, she lowered her hands to her lap.
    “How old are you?” He still sounded unconvinced.
    “I’m twenty.” She tipped her chin proudly. “Some might think I’m old enough to welcome any sort of a marriage, but I’ll never be that old.”
    Eddie chuckled.
    “You wouldn’t find it amusing if you were in my position.”
    Cassie sniffed. “Men are never in that position.”
    Eddie sobered though his eyes continued to spark amusement. “I’m trying to guess what you said or did to convince your father to let you travel West.”
    “Your good name and your letter were enough.” She ducked her head. “I also pointed out the nearness of a convent where I knew I could find shelter and protection.” Her father had vowed all kinds of damage to the convent if she had actually gone there, so it wasn’t really an option.
    Grady edged a hand to Linette’s lap and gingerly explored the largest rock.
    “Do you know my age?”
    She returned her gaze to Eddie. “Margaret said you’re twenty-five.” How must Eddie feel to be turned down by the woman he expected to become his wife? It hurt to think about it. “I’m sorry for your disappointment.”
    He held her gaze for a heartbeat. She read a distant hurt, then he blinked and let only his disapproval reveal itself. She would assuredly make a far better rancher’s wife than Margaret ever would. But of course, the heart did not always see what the head knew was best.
    “I was married at sixteen,” Cassie said, rocking slowly, pulling Linette’s attention to her. She wished she could erase the pain from the woman’s expression. “We worked hard to save enough money for our passage. Then we worked in Ontario. I wanted to stay there. We had a nice house, but George heard there was good land along the North Saskatchewan River. He saved enough to buy an outfit and settle in the Northwest. We sold everything. But George got sick in Montreal.” Her voice fell to a whisper. “I thought I’d die when he died. I used the last of our savings to have him buried,” she moaned. “He deserved far better.”
    So did Cassie, but Linette didn’t say so, knowing far too well the woman was given to bouts of discouragement and defeat.
    Cassie gave the stove a bleak look. “Here I am not yet twenty-five, a