Read Online A Promise for Spring by Kim Vogel Sawyer - Free Book Online Page A

are wed.”
    Emmaline knew Geoffrey could demand the dowry now as payment for their betrothal. His decision to wait to claim the money until they were legally wed pleased her.
    Geoffrey went on, “And I love you. I want to share my life with you.” The sweet words of devotion sent a coil of something pleasant through Emmaline’s frame. He took her hands. “I am willing to allow you time to decide if you want a life with me.
    You carry resentment from past wrongs, and it influences how you look at me right now. I understand your feelings, but I also wish to earn your forgiveness and trust. Will you give me that chance, Emmaline?”
    His calloused fingertips pressed into her knuckles. “If you choose to stay, the months will be a time of learning for you. Being a rancher’s wife is far different from the life you had in Yorkshire County. We will discover if you have the strength of will to meet the challenges of this land. You can serve as my housekeeper until which time you decide to become my wife, if you so choose. So . . . will you stay, Emmaline? Will you stay until next spring?”
    Emmaline became aware of his thumbs tracing a circle on the back of her hand. The touch ignited a fire beneath her skin, and she jerked her hands free. “B-but what will my parents say? They sent me here to be your wife, not your housekeeper.”
    He pinched his lips together. “It might be best to simply allow them to believe we have wed.”
    Emmaline drew back. “I cannot tell a fabrication to my parents, Geoffrey.”
    He raised one shoulder. “It would be an omission of truth rather than a bold lie.”
    Emmaline considered this. “Where would I live during this time?”
    “You will live in the ranch house.”
    She pressed her hand to her bodice. Her heart pounded beneath her palm.
    Geoffrey shook his head. “We would not share a . . . sleeping room.” Defensiveness colored his tone. “I would make use of the sofa in the parlor or sleep on a shakedown in the spare room.”
    “My mother would be appalled should I live under the same roof with a man who is not my legally wed husband.” Emmaline tried to sound forceful, but her uneven breathing made the statement quaver.
    Geoffrey looked to the side for a few moments, his face wrinkled in thought. “Then I shall live in the bunkhouse with my hands. It is a two-room bunkhouse, and one half is now empty because—” He jolted. Facing her, he continued, “One half is empty. The bunkhouse is well away from the house, so propriety would be observed. When I come to the house for meals or evening visits, the ranch hands will be nearby, so no ill conjecture will mar your reputation while we become reacquainted.”
    “I am uncertain, Geoffrey. . . .”
    He snatched up her hands, pinning them between his broad palms. “We need the opportunity to become acquainted again. In order to do that, we need time together. To have time, we must both be at the ranch.”
    Emmaline carefully extracted her hands and scooted farther away on the bench. “Let me think, please.” Turning away from his pleading gaze, she focused on a cobweb in the corner of the church and tried to make sense of the confusing situation.
    She could still use the dowry money and return to England. Father would be furious, but at least she would be in familiar territory. But, she realized, living under Father’s roof only meant following his dictates again. He would no doubt set out to find her another husband—she was, after all, twenty-two years of age. Perhaps his selection would not meet her approval, and she would have little choice in the matter.
    She turned abruptly and fixed her gaze on Geoffrey. “You will allow me to decide if I become your wife? You will not pressure me?”
    He raised one hand, as if making a pledge. “I shall not ask you again until the winter has passed. At that time, if you choose not to marry me, I shall escort you back to England, just as I promised.”
    A troubling thought struck her,