Read Online Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) by Susan Horsnell - Free Book Online Page A

back in the morning.
     
    As his hand brushed her arm, John was almost bowled over by the strong surge of desire which zinged through him. Cora’s stumbling reaction confirmed she’d felt it too.
     
    ***
     
    John eased out a chair and Cora seated herself. “Thank you Mr. Franklin.”
     
    He settled himself opposite and ordered tea from the hovering waitress. The minute the girl disappeared, he asked – no demanded, to know why she was using a different name.
     
    Cora explained about her father and his intentions to marry her off to Ernest Before she could continue, John spoke and his tone wasn’t pleasant.
     
    “Do you mean to tell me you were promised to someone else and you ran out?”
     
    “Please, let me explain,” Cora begged.
     
    “The man my father wanted me to marry is thirty six years older than I am. I repeatedly told my father I wouldn’t marry him but he refused to listen. He locked me in my room and said I wasn’t allowed out until we married.”
     
    “Why did your father want you to marry an old man?”
     
    “Ernest is a Politician who could further my father’s career and he wanted me.” Her voice was quiet, tremulous.
     
    “I still don’t understand why a father would treat his daughter that way?” He barely heard her answer.
     
    “Because he hates me.”
     
    “What?”
     
    Cora lifted her chin as well as her voice. “Because he hates me,” she repeated, making no attempt to hide her bitterness.
     
    John remained quiet.
     
    “My brother, Peter, feared for my safety if I stayed and he helped me escape. He booked my passage to my friends in Sioux City and gave me money to buy what I needed. He has no idea I have come here.”
     
    “Would your father have hurt you?” John was starting to hate Cora’s father.
     
    “I don’t know. But, Ernest has a reputation for being brutish and forcing himself on girls without their permission. Rumor has it they are often found badly bruised and with broken bones after being with him.”
     
    “So you decided to answer my advertisement? Why didn’t your brother stand up for you?”
     
    “My father wouldn’t have taken notice of him even though Peter has information that could destroy both his and Ernest’s careers. It was my brother who suggested I travel under a false name so I couldn’t be tracked.”
     
    “If your brother has information which could harm your father then why would he follow you?”
     
    “I doubt he would bother but Peter didn’t want to take any chances.”
     
    Cora sipped at her tea. “I won’t return home even if you decide not to marry me. I would kill myself before going back there and marrying such a horrible man.”
     
    John remained silent.
     
    A tear slid over her cheek. “I’m sorry if I made you angry. I promise, I will never lie to you.”
     
    John gathered her hands. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry. I understand now why you travelled under a different name and I believe you when you tell me you won’t lie to me.” His thumbs traced her palms. “Your father had best stay away from you now you’re my betrothed. He will be a very sorry man if he doesn’t.”
     
    Cora smiled and watched as John’s face lit up.
     
    “How about we discuss the plans I’ve made for us?”
     
    Cora nodded eagerly.
     
    “That’s if you still want to be my wife.”
     
    “Of course I do. I’d be honored to be your wife.”
     
    John relaxed into his chair. I can’t believe such a gorgeous gal wants to be mine! “I have two rooms reserved at the hotel tonight but only one for tomorrow night.”
     
    Cora felt herself heat at the implication and the cheeky rise of his eyebrows.
     
    “We’re to be married at ten tomorrow morning in the chapel where my family attends church. Preacher Mitchell has agreed to wed us. My friends, Sam, Frank and Henry will stand up for me and I have asked my three sisters to stand up for you. I hope that’s okay?”
     
    “I don’t know anyone here