In a Stranger's Arms by Deborah Hale Page A

her belly? Why had her sigh of relief also quivered with a faint note of regret?
    Because he reminds you of Del ,reason informed her, like a schoolmarm impatient with the class dunce. You’re back in Del’s home with Del’s children, married to a man who bears a strong resemblance to him.
    Of course. Caddie chuckled softly to herself as she rolled over again. Considered in that light, it was only natural she’d think about the things a husband and wife did together in the dark, private moments before sleep.
    But to think of them with a tremble of longing? Caddie lay on her back and stared at the ceiling, where shadowy moonbeams danced. She’d never taken much pleasure from those hasty, demanding marital encounters with Del. She was pretty certain proper-bred ladies weren’t supposed to.
    A few times she had sensed the potential for enjoyment in Del’s probing caresses of her bare skin, in his hurried thrusting between her legs. Before it could develop into anything more than a vague pulse in her loins, Del had always made one last grunting jab into her and rolled off, snoring.
    One of the most painful shards of memory from the day she’d caught Del and Lydene in bed together was the sound of that vulgar creature. Giggling, purring and panting—obviously relishing Del’s carnal attentions. More shameful still, Del had sounded as though he was enjoying himself far better than he ever had in his lawful marriage bed.
    How Caddie wished she could forget about it all and go to sleep!
    Thanks to the man resting peacefully in the next room, she couldn’t forget. Like a toothache, those sordid, painful memories gnawed at her until nearly dawn. And when that strutting old he-creature of a rooster began to trumpet the rising sun, Caddie very nearly ran outside to ring his neck. To blazes with what he cost and how much they needed him to start a brood of chicks!
    Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to extract a few moments of true rest from the night. Then the dog barked from the nursery. Caddie jammed the lumpy, threadbare pillow over her head to shut out the noise and almost suffocated from the dank odor. When she came up gasping for air, the dog had quieted, but her new husband was stirring in the room next door.
    “Is there some kind of male conspiracy afoot to deprive me of a decent night’s rest?” Caddie grumbled to herself as she rose and dressed.
    She stripped the musty linens from her bed, then marched out the door. There she collided with Mr. Forbes, who had just emerged from his room.
    “Oh, glory be!” Caddie stumbled over one of his long feet.
    Manning caught her. The cloth of her dress had grown so flimsy, she could feel the heat of his large, strong hands through it. Where he touched her, it burned.
    Or did it itch?
    Manning Forbes might be a stranger, but he was also her husband. If he made up his mind to lay hands on her, he’d be well within his rights. She had only his word that their marital arrangement stopped short of the bedroom door.
    The word of a Yankee, Caddie had never expected to see the day when she’d be prepared to rely on that. Was Lon right? Had she lost her mind, agreeing to this marriage?
    “Pardon me!”
    “My fault. I should have been watching....”
    They fumbled apart. Both blushing. Neither making more than fleeting eye contact.
    This arrangement had sounded so easy and practical when Mr. Forbes had advanced it yesterday. In the intimate light of early morning, Caddie realized it would be anything but. In fact, she suspected it was going to be mighty awkward. Today and for a long time to come.
    “You slept well, I hope.” She plastered herself back against the wall, the bundle of bedding held like a shield in front of her.
    “Fine.” The shadows under his eyes told a different story. “And you?”
    “Very well, thanks.” If he could lie about it, so could she.
    “I’ll get some coffee from my pack and brew us a pot, shall I?” Manning asked as they descended the