Read Online Duncan's Bride by Linda Howard - Free Book Online Page B

contraire, dear friend. I’m just as content by myself as I am surrounded by people. If I had to live in Outer Mongolia to be with him, I’d do it.”
    Christine looked amazed. “Ye gods,” she blurted. “You’re in love!”
    Madelyn nodded. “Of course. Why else would I marry him?”
    â€œWell, that explains the sudden madness. Does he feel the same way?”
    â€œNot yet. I’m going to do my best to convince him, though.”
    â€œWould it be wasting my breath to point out that that usually comes before the part where you say ‘I do’? That courtship usually covers this phase?”
    Pursing her lips, Madelyn considered it, then said, “No, I think it would come more under ‘falling on deaf ears’ than ‘wasting your breath.’ I’m getting married. I’d like you to be there.”
    â€œOf course I’ll be there! Nothing could keep me away. I have to see this paragon of manly virtues.”
    â€œI never said he was virtuous.”
    In complete understanding, they looked at each other and smiled.

CHAPTER FOUR
    T HEY WERE MARRIED in Billings twelve days later. Madelyn was exhausted by the time of the wedding, which was performed in the judge’s chambers. She had gotten only a few hours of sleep each night since Reese’s phone call, because it had taken so much time to pack up a lifetime of belongings, sorting through and discarding what she wasn’t taking, and packing what she couldn’t bear to do without. She had also gotten the required physical and expressed the results to Reese, and hadn’t been surprised when she had received his results by express mail the same day.
    She had shipped numerous boxes containing books, albums, tapes, CDs, stereo equipment and winter clothes to the ranch, wondering what Reese would have to say about having his home taken over by the paraphernalia of a stranger. But when she’d spoken to him during two brief telephone calls he hadn’t mentioned it. Before she knew it she was flying to Billings again, but this time she wasn’t coming back.
    Reese didn’t kiss her when he met her at the airport, and she was glad. She was tired and on edge, and the first self-doubts were creeping in. From the look on his face, when he started kissing her again he didn’t intend to stop, and she wasn’t ready for that. But her heart leaped at the sight of him, reassuring her that she was doing the right thing.
    She planned to stay at a motel in Billings for the five days until their marriage; Reese scowled at her when she told him her plan.
    â€œThere’s no point in paying for a motel when you can stay at the ranch.”
    â€œYes, there is. For one thing, most of my New York clothes are useless and will just stay packed up. I have to have Montana clothing—jeans, boots and the like. There’s no point in making an extra trip later on to buy it when I’m here already. Moreover, I’m not staying alone with you right now, and you know why.”
    He put his hands on her waist and pulled her up against him. His narrowed eyes were dark green. “Because I’d have you under me as soon as we got in the house.”
    She swallowed, her slender hands resting on his chest. She could feel the heavy beat of his heart under her palms, a powerful pumping that revealed the sexual tension he was holding under control. “Yes. I’m not ready to start that part of our relationship. I’m tired, and nervous, and we really don’t know each other that well—”
    â€œWe’re getting married in five days. We won’t know each other much better by then, baby, but I don’t plan on spending my wedding night alone.”
    â€œYou won’t,” she whispered.
    â€œSo one of the conditions for getting you in bed is to put a ring on your finger first?” His voice was getting harsher.
    He was angry, and she didn’t want him to be;