Johanna: Bride of Michigan (American Mail-Order Bride 26) by Clara Kincaid Page B

in the room. Her grandmother had told her once that lavender induced slumber, or it might have been a way to convince Johanna that it would actually help her fall asleep. It wasn’t long before Johanna nodded off, feeling more comfortable than she had been in years.
    * * *
    Johanna buried her head under her pillow, wishing whoever was knocking on her door would go away. She hoped her sister wouldn’t barge in when she didn’t answer the door. Sitting up with a start, she stared around the room. It was then she realized she wasn’t in Lawrence but in Saginaw, married to the mysterious Paul. She didn’t know what to think of him as of yet, but she was certainly looking forward to finding out.
    She rolled out of bed and hastily donned her dressing gown, answering the door. A maid stood there with a shy smile. “Can I help you with anything?”
    Johanna blinked several times. “No, I can’t think of anything. I’ll get dressed.”
    “Sorry.” She giggled. “I meant can I help you with your bath?”
    “Bath?”
    “Yes, Mr. Worthington asked us to ready a bath for you. He told us he was positive you’d welcome one after your long train ride.”
    Johanna smiled. “Yes, I’d love that.”
    Before she had a chance to gather any of her things, she was ushered across the hallway and into a washroom where a bathtub was filled with scented water. The room also had a chamber pot and washbowl with pitcher.
    “I’ll stay to assist you.”
    “No. I think I can take a bath without any help.”
    “Don’t be silly.”
    Her dressing gown was pulled off by the maid, and Johanna resigned herself that the maid would continue to assist her whether she wanted her to or not. She didn’t want her to see the jagged scar on her leg, though.  “What’s your name?”
    The maid moved to help Johanna off with her chemise. “Sara.”
    “I’d appreciate you leaving me now. I can do this by myself. I was a working-class woman and I’m not used to getting undressed in front of anyone.” She hoped that would be a good enough explanation.
    “You’ll have to get used to that, Miss. You’re a married lady now.”
    “I know that, but as you know, I don’t share a room with my husband.”
    “That won’t be for long, but I’ll leave if you insist,” Sara said sadly.
    Johanna didn’t want to hurt her feelings. “Could you turn around until I get into the bath? Then you could help me wash my hair.”
    “Of course, Miss.”
    Sara whirled around to offer some semblance of privacy. Johanna quickly moved to remove her chemise when she noticed the curtains were open and Paul was in the manicured lawn, gazing up at her. She straightened her chemise and pulled the curtains closed. Why, Paul was no gentleman at all! Off flew her chemise and she carefully stepped into the bathtub, lowering herself into the warm water. When she was sure her leg wasn’t exposed, she said, “I’m ready now, Sara.”
    Sara washed her hair, chattering away. “I’m so glad Paul ordered a bride like he did. You’re so much nicer than I expected you to be.”
    Johanna raised a brow. “Oh? How can you be so certain?”
    “I could tell you didn’t want my help. I can’t imagine you came from a well-to-do family where you came from.”
    “You’re right. And I wouldn’t need to become a mail-order bride if my family was well off, but my sister married well, though. Her husband died a year ago, but left her a healthy sum.”
    “Oh, how sad. I hope she’s doing okay.”
    “Actually, I think she’ll do fine. She already has her eye on her late husband’s brother, Edgar.”
    “Oh, my. That sounds scandalous.”
    Johanna didn’t know if she should tell Sara anymore about her sister. She had never had a maid before, but she imagined ladies didn’t do things like that. Her leg began to cramp the way she had it turned to the side, but she couldn’t risk anyone seeing her scar, even if she knew Paul would see it eventually.
    She did her best to lean her