An Unexpected Husband (The Colorado Brides Series) by Carré White Page A

style.”
    “I love it!” she enthused. “It would be a shame to undo it tomorrow. Maybe I’ll wear it like this all day.”
    “It’s your hair. You may do exactly as you wish with it.”
    She started for the hallway. “I have to show ma!”
    “She’s precious,” I said, after she had gone.
    “Yes.” His gaze was on me.
    “I’ve a tangled mess of my own, I’m afraid.” I ran a comb through the damp strands. “This will take quite a while.”
    “I find you strangely entertaining.”
    I glanced at him over my shoulder. “You do?”
    “Megan prefers to hide in her room, yet you seem to enjoy speaking to me.”
    “I’m used to company, sir. I never have a moment to myself at Fanny’s house. I’ve been in the same bedroom with my sisters for years. It’s only now, with Jane gone and married, that I’m alone. Susanna was with me, but she’s in the other room.”
    “I see.”
    “I’d be lonely without company.”
    He took a sip of wine. “Yes, it’s better to have someone to talk to.”
    “How do you like Denver City? Do you hate it? Are we very barbaric, sir?”
    “Barbaric?”
    “We’re too close to the saloon, with the drunks and thieves. There have been shootings and duels and hangings here.”
    “I imagine.”
    “It’s truly the Wild West.”
    “I’d be disappointed, if it wasn’t.”
    “Don't you worry about your welfare? Innocent people get shot often, sir, and all they’ve done is cross the street.”
    “No more so than in any other city.”
    “I suppose.”
    “Do you feel unsafe?”
    “No, sir. Not here. We’re on the second floor. I doubt a bullet will come in.”
    He chuckled, “True.”
    I grinned as well, finding him charming. “I enjoy talking to you. I worried that you might be too stodgy, but you’re quite sociable.” I’d spoken off-the-cuff, regretting not checking myself.
    This seemed to amuse him. “I see. I’m glad I’m not…stodgy.”
    “I shouldn’t have said that.” I got to my feet, feeling twinges of embarrassment. “It’s late. Good night, sir.”
    The gleam in his eye was considering, as he lifted the wineglass to his lips, murmuring, “Good night, Mary.”
     

Chapter Seven
     
     
    I’d managed to work through nearly the entire week without another embarrassing incident, which was a minor miracle. Having settled in at the Broadwell House, a routine had been established, where Rosalind and I typically slept in every morning. I wouldn’t feel badly about this because she tended to wake at least twice in the night.
    It was Saturday, and I planned on taking her out in a buggy for a stroll through town. Once Rosalind and I were dressed, both of us sporting frilly bonnets, I called for Allette, who arranged for the buggy to be brought to the front door of the hotel. I needn’t have bothered with a shawl, as it was brilliantly warm outside, with the sky a nearly turquoise blue in all its early fall glory. In another month, there would be snow.
    The buggy was made of wicker and perched on four enormous wheels. I’d folded a thick blanket beneath Rosalind, who lay within, her face encircled by a pretty white bonnet. She was indeed fetching in a matching white dress, her feet encased in leather shoes. It was the first time I would be seen in public in such a manner, pushing the expensive-looking contraption up and down the boardwalk. Once outside, the bustle of Larimer Street greeted me, as everyone seemed to be in town today, the avenue filled with wagons, carriages, and horses. An assemblage of well dressed ladies and gentlemen strolled by, while I pushed Rosalind along, enjoying being outside, although the lack of rain had made the thoroughfare dusty, and it was windy, bringing up gusts of dirt. Shoeshiners were out in force before the barbershop, and the saloon teemed with men.  The sound of piano music could be heard amidst the din of laughter and talking.
    I would walk with Rosalind, until she fussed, wanting to stretch my legs and breathe