Read Regency Romance: The Rake's Fake Marriage (Historical Arranged Marriage Romance) (19th Century Victorian Romance) for Free Online

address. I will write to him.”
    Catherine nodded. “You really don’t have much of a choice, do you, my dear?”
    Elizabeth wished she could hear a bit of kindness in Catherine’s voice, instead of the underlying sneer she heard instead.
     
    She unfolded the letter from Tyler as the train sped along the tracks, aware that she was being looked at by the other passengers on the train. She had worn the only dress she had left after selling off everything she owned. She carried with her one small bag with her personal items. She hadn’t been able to part with some of them though they would have brought her a little more money if she had sold them. Especially the gold hand mirror her mother had given her, a Christmas present from several years back. She didn’t know when she would use it again. She didn’t like to look at herself in the mirror. It reminded her of her past just to look at her own sad eyes and persistent frown.
    Happiness was far from her, and she didn’t see it coming anytime soon. She kept herself from crying, steeling herself against her depressing thoughts.
     
    Dear Miss Elizabeth, the letter said. I would be very happy to have you come to my farm and help me. I am glad Catherine suggested that you write to me as I have been seeking someone and do need the help. I have enclosed a ticket so that you can come. I appreciate you writing and telling me about the loss of your parents. I am sorry that you are going through such a hard time. I will try to help you find some happiness here.
    I spend most of my time on the farm, working to repair it after a recent storm that caused a lot of damage. There is still much work to be done, but my home is cool and comfortable. I employ two young men from the nearby town. They are helping me with the daily chores and with some of the repairs. I know it may sound like I am looking for a housekeeper, but I am not. I am seeking a woman to be a companion to me to bring some happiness and a womanly touch to the farm and my life. I have not been married before. I am 24 years old. I came here with my parents and bought my farm about four years ago.
    I hope that you will find me acceptable and that we will be friends right away. If you are very unhappy when you get here, please tell me right away. I don’t want to be unhappy, and I don’t want you to be unhappy.
    Thank you for writing to me. I look forward to meeting you. You mentioned that you only had a short time left in the home you were in, so I have set the ticket up for ten days from now, to allow you to get this letter and pack your things.
     
    Sincerely,
    Tyler Creek
     
    His name sounded like a place, rather than a name, although she thought it sounded like a pleasant place to be. She thought of her name with his at the end. Elizabeth Creek. Still sounded like a place . But a prettier place.
    She smiled.
     
    She stepped off of the train and looked to the right and to the left. She was stunned that there were so few people around. In fact, she only saw one person getting off with her and no one met him. He walked to the right as soon as he got off the train, looking like he had somewhere he needed to be and he knew exactly where it was.
    She was alone. Again.
    This seems to happen a lot these days , she thought. She clutched her bag between her slender fingers, tugged at her skirt with the other and walked to the door of the train station. The building looked weather-beaten and damaged. She scanned the worn, broken pieces on the side of the building, the two windows (one was broken ) and the battered door she was about to go through. She was almost afraid to take the handle, feeling as if splinters might just jump off the tattered wood and embed themselves in her fingers.
    It was a poor dreary town; that was for certain.
    Just like me , she thought.
    She sighed and turned the knob reluctantly.
    There were more people inside the building, which didn’t really surprise her. The atmosphere was hot and dry in Nevada.