Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) Read Online Free Page A
Author: Susan Horsnell
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Saga, Family Life, tragedy, Western, Short-Story, Religious, Christian, Inspirational, Bachelor, South Dakota, ranch, Marriage of Convenience, Faith, Decision, victorian era, Forever Love, Single Woman, Fifty-Books, Forty-Five Authors, Newspaper Ad, American Mail-Order Bride, Factory Burned, Pioneer, Forty In Series, Political Ally, Grandfather Age
You would have wasted your day waiting.”
Cora nodded. “I need to lie down, Peter. I’m feeling quite ill.
“You are extremely pale.” He assisted her to become comfortable and pulled a coverlet over her. “I’ll fetch the doctor. We shouldn’t be long.” Peter leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead.
Cora felt tears burning her eyes as he left the room. The brother who had never given her the time of day had actually kissed her! Maybe being with Mary had softened his heart.
Chapter Three
Peter found his father relaxing in the living room sipping a whiskey as if nothing had happened a few moments before. “What the hell was that all about, father?” he demanded.
“She was gallivanting around instead of being here to make supper. I’m sick and tired of her willful attitude. Tomorrow I will speak with Ernest and she will marry him. This nonsense about getting a job stops now.”
“You injured her shoulder with your brutish behavior. She is in terrible pain, the shoulder is at a strange angle and bruising is already visible. I’m going to fetch the doctor. Be warned father, I will not condone your physical cruelty and you cannot force her to marry such a horrid cad of a man.” Peter had heard the rumors about Ernest and had also overheard him boasting about his mistreatment of women. Although he had never been concerned about his father’s verbal debasement of his sister, he would not stand by and allow her to be delivered into such an evil man’s clutches. Especially knowing she would more than likely be beaten.
Pierre banged his glass on a table and stood. He moved toward his son and with a lightning fast movement, reached out, grabbed his lapel and pulled Peter close.
Peter slapped his father’s hand away. “Do not dare to manhandle me,” he hissed.
Pierre dropped his hand back to his side but remained close. “Do not presume to interfere with Cora’s future. I have every right as her father to decide what she will and won’t do. Do not make the mistake of crossing me.” He turned, poured another whiskey and resumed his seat. “I believe you said something about going for the doctor?”
Peter had been effectively dismissed. He would bide his time. He glared at his father before silently leaving the room. He now had no doubt of how dangerous a man Pierre Ancelet was. He would tread very carefully.
***
The doctor had placed Cora’s dislocated shoulder back into its socket. Peter explained that his sister had stumbled on the steps and, as her father grabbed her to prevent her falling, the shoulder must have popped out.
The doctor was skeptical about the explanation and suspected she had been abused. He made a point of telling her father and brother, she was to rest in bed for at least one week and have meals delivered to her room. He would check back with her in a few days.
Cora was beyond surprised when they both agreed. They advised the doctor they would employ the widow Skinner from down the street to cook their meals, take care of the house and assist Cora where needed.
Widow Skinner had commenced immediately and the following day she brought Cora her breakfast, assisted her to wash and slip on a clean nightdress. Pillows were piled up behind her so she was comfortable, she was handed her book and the widow left the room. Cora heard the key turn in the lock, her father must have given the instruction. She was now a prisoner. A tear dripped from her eyelashes. What am I going to do?
***
The following days passed slowly, Cora was bored with being confined in her room as her father continued to keep her door locked. He had not visited her since that night and she fretted about what he might be planning.
After ten days had passed, her shoulder felt fine and she paced her room restlessly. It was early but she was out of bed, washed and dressed. She heard the key turn in the lock and gasped when her
Cora nodded. “I need to lie down, Peter. I’m feeling quite ill.
“You are extremely pale.” He assisted her to become comfortable and pulled a coverlet over her. “I’ll fetch the doctor. We shouldn’t be long.” Peter leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead.
Cora felt tears burning her eyes as he left the room. The brother who had never given her the time of day had actually kissed her! Maybe being with Mary had softened his heart.
Chapter Three
Peter found his father relaxing in the living room sipping a whiskey as if nothing had happened a few moments before. “What the hell was that all about, father?” he demanded.
“She was gallivanting around instead of being here to make supper. I’m sick and tired of her willful attitude. Tomorrow I will speak with Ernest and she will marry him. This nonsense about getting a job stops now.”
“You injured her shoulder with your brutish behavior. She is in terrible pain, the shoulder is at a strange angle and bruising is already visible. I’m going to fetch the doctor. Be warned father, I will not condone your physical cruelty and you cannot force her to marry such a horrid cad of a man.” Peter had heard the rumors about Ernest and had also overheard him boasting about his mistreatment of women. Although he had never been concerned about his father’s verbal debasement of his sister, he would not stand by and allow her to be delivered into such an evil man’s clutches. Especially knowing she would more than likely be beaten.
Pierre banged his glass on a table and stood. He moved toward his son and with a lightning fast movement, reached out, grabbed his lapel and pulled Peter close.
Peter slapped his father’s hand away. “Do not dare to manhandle me,” he hissed.
Pierre dropped his hand back to his side but remained close. “Do not presume to interfere with Cora’s future. I have every right as her father to decide what she will and won’t do. Do not make the mistake of crossing me.” He turned, poured another whiskey and resumed his seat. “I believe you said something about going for the doctor?”
Peter had been effectively dismissed. He would bide his time. He glared at his father before silently leaving the room. He now had no doubt of how dangerous a man Pierre Ancelet was. He would tread very carefully.
***
The doctor had placed Cora’s dislocated shoulder back into its socket. Peter explained that his sister had stumbled on the steps and, as her father grabbed her to prevent her falling, the shoulder must have popped out.
The doctor was skeptical about the explanation and suspected she had been abused. He made a point of telling her father and brother, she was to rest in bed for at least one week and have meals delivered to her room. He would check back with her in a few days.
Cora was beyond surprised when they both agreed. They advised the doctor they would employ the widow Skinner from down the street to cook their meals, take care of the house and assist Cora where needed.
Widow Skinner had commenced immediately and the following day she brought Cora her breakfast, assisted her to wash and slip on a clean nightdress. Pillows were piled up behind her so she was comfortable, she was handed her book and the widow left the room. Cora heard the key turn in the lock, her father must have given the instruction. She was now a prisoner. A tear dripped from her eyelashes. What am I going to do?
***
The following days passed slowly, Cora was bored with being confined in her room as her father continued to keep her door locked. He had not visited her since that night and she fretted about what he might be planning.
After ten days had passed, her shoulder felt fine and she paced her room restlessly. It was early but she was out of bed, washed and dressed. She heard the key turn in the lock and gasped when her
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