Read Online Freedom For A Bride: A clean historical mail order bride romance (Montana Passion Book 2) by Amelia Rose - Free Book Online Page B

and things had at least appeared to be put to rights, but it didn’t stop the evening from creeping closer and closer toward dark.
    Katia emerged from behind the calico curtain that hid the bed from view, reaching for an apron from a nail and tying it over her dress. “Katia?” she asked, pointing to the ceramic bowl where Gretchen had been stirring eggs. The maid smiled and handed over the bowl and fork to turn the bacon in the hot iron skillet on the grate.
    “Eggs,” Gretchen announced as she stood up straight again. She pointed to the bowl then picked up another egg in its shell. “Egg.”
    Katia nodded her understanding of what Gretchen was trying to do and repeated the strange syllable, adding a little too much of a guttural sound on the end. While they worked, they made their way around the kitchen and then the rest of the cabin, Gretchen calling out the new words and Katia repeating them. After they’d eaten and cleaned up, Gretchen took the newcomer on a quizzing tour of the house, restating the words that Katia had forgotten and praising her efforts at the ones she remembered.
    They had just finished a walk around the outside of the cabin and to the barn in which they uncovered even more new words when a voice called out a greeting. They both turned to see Nathaniel riding up on his horse, leading the other half of his team by the reins.
    “Oh, dear, I know what he intends to do,” Gretchen said under her breath. She wasn’t sure how the new girl would react to not only riding with a man unattended, but also to riding at all for that matter. She cast a quick glance at Katia but was happy to see the look of delighted anticipation on her face.
    Katia approached and held up a hand to keep Nathaniel from speaking. She stood taller, squared her shoulders, and said in a loud voice, “Whores.”
    Neither Gretchen nor Nathaniel spoke, both of them too shocked to reply. Katia petted the horse’s soft, velvety nose and proudly repeated her new word. “Whores!”
    Gretchen pressed a hand to her mouth, but finally Nathaniel couldn’t hold in the laughter. He turned away so the ladies wouldn’t see his reaction, but it was too late. He tried to muffle his amusement but only succeeded in getting even more tickled. Even Gretchen had to smile, as much as she tried not to. Katia looked confused.
    “No, Katia. NO,” Gretchen repeated with emphasis. “Mr. Russell, if you’d not mind giving us a moment’s privacy?” She waited until he’d climbed down from the saddle and walked away aimlessly. “Whores…bad. No whores.” She shook her head, trying to get her point across and silently cursing herself for repeating the damnable word. “Horse. This is a horse. Ssssssssss.”
    Katia just smiled, wholly unaware of her mistake. “Yes. Whores.”
    “Oh, dear me,” Gretchen said with a desperate sigh. “I’ve got it. Pony! Let’s just call it a pony. All right then? Pony! There’ll be time enough when you can speak plainly to figure out the difference. ‘Tis all right now, Mr. Russell. Miss Noryeva would very much like to go for a ‘pony’ ride now.”
    Gretchen turned and went in the house without waiting to see them off, already worn out from the lessons of the morning. She was only too glad to be a companion and chaperone for the future Mrs. Russell but began to dread the impact the lessons might have on her mortal soul if she wasn’t careful.
    She peeked out the window and saw Nathaniel timidly offer his hand to Katia to hoist her up into the saddle. Katia grasped the saddle with both hands but looked unsure about this strange man’s touch. Finally, she acquiesced and let him help her. Gretchen smiled to herself. She knew Mr. Russell well enough to know he’d take his own life before he’d hurt another soul, let alone a lady, but she was glad that Katia still had enough wherewithal to be cautious, especially about men who’d packed up their lives and headed for the isolation of the Montana