Read Online Johanna: Bride of Michigan (American Mail-Order Bride 26) by Clara Kincaid - Free Book Online

head back while Sara first shampooed then rinsed her hair. She actually enjoyed the way she massaged her scalp. Johanna was grateful Sara had insisted upon helping her.
    Sara disappeared out the door to allow her some privacy after the last of the shampoo was rinsed out. Johanna took a whiff of the rose soap, lathering up and dunking under the water to rinse. She reached for a towel and stood up, toweling off. She then remembered she hadn’t brought any clean clothing into the washroom. Luckily, the towel reached all the way to her toes and she quickly crossed the hallway. She ventured a glance down the hall, relieved Paul was nowhere to be found.
    Johanna walked into her room and quickly gathered her stockings, putting them on before Sara decided to come help her. The stockings were black and concealed her scar. She found her last clean chemise and put that on just as there was a knock on the door. Walking over, she pulled the door open with a smile, expecting Sara—not Paul, who was actually the one on the other side of the door. She jumped behind the door so only her head was exposed.
    He quickly averted his eyes. “Sorry. I thought you might be dressed by now. Should I send Sara to assist you?”
    “Please.”
    Johanna closed the door and her heart thumped hard in her chest. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Paul seeing her in that state of undress. How could he have actually thought she was dressed already? She wouldn’t mention anything about how he spied her from outside while she was getting ready for her bath.
    That time, when there was yet another knock on the door, Sara said, “It’s me, Miss.”
    Johanna answered the door and picked up her corset. Shimmying into it, she turned her back to Sara who then laced and tightened it. When she didn’t tighten it to the point where she would faint, Johanna had to ask, “Have you worked as a lady’s maid before?”
    “Oh, no, but my mother taught us girls how to be one if such a position becomes available. I never knew I’d be of much use other than serving or cleaning.”
    “I’ll ask Paul if you can assist me on a regular basis. I don’t need all that much help besides with my hair or fastening my corset, but I’d like to have someone to talk to, other than my husband.”
    Sara’s eyes watered. “Do you mean it? I’d love to do that.” She frowned. “If Mr. Worthington allows it.”
    “I’ll make sure he does.” Johanna winked. Her heart soared at how excited Sara was about helping her. Was it too much to hope that she’d find a true confidant in Sara?
    Sara’s last task was to help Johanna don a beige linen dress with tiny rose buttons, even if they were only for decoration and not needed for keeping the dress closed. She wasn’t sure how cool or warm it was outside, but would rather not be weighed down with a heavier dress. It was bad enough that ladies were required to wear so many articles of clothing under their dresses.
    “Thank you so much, Sara. Paul is taking me to a seamstress today I think, but I wouldn’t mind horribly if he bought me some bolts of fabric. I rather like making my own dresses.”
    “Oh, no. I’m sure Mr. Worthington wouldn’t allow you to do that. You probably have more important things to busy yourself with.”
    “Such as?”
    “Many ladies meet for luncheons. Perhaps in time, you’ll meet some of the other lumber barons’ wives.”
    Johanna wasn’t so sure, but she agreed anyway. “I do hope so. It will be rather lonely otherwise.”
    She pinched her cheeks before she left her room and descended the stairs. She was much too pale, but it was something she was used to. A stark change from her dark hair, which made her skin appear even whiter.
    Paul met her when she reached the bottom of the stairs. “You look lovely, dear.”
    “Thank you.”
    She took her husband’s hand, and they walked into the dining room where the sideboard was laid out with pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs. They filled their