Jane Goodger Read Online Free

you,” she said simply.
    He looked momentarily stunned, then drew her against him, tucking her head beneath his head. “Oh, darlin’,” he said, sounding almost sad. “That’s what I figured.”
    Amelia let him hold her, loving the familiar feel of his big body even as her stomach gave a worried twist. She’d so wanted everything to be just as Carson had described. She’d pictured herself the mistress of a large rambling Texas ranch house filled with children and happiness. And servants. Yes, she’d imagined a neat little maid, a gruff housekeeper, an efficient butler. She’d pictured her life exactly as it had been, but in Texas and with Carson. If he’d prepared her in even the smallest way that he didn’t even have a proper house, she wouldn’t be looking with such dismay at where she was to live. But he’d drawn a picture of perfection for her, as if every fantasy she had about living in Texas were a reality.
    Looking at the small portion of the building that Carson said was the living quarters, she doubted even a single servant lived there. She’d imagined being ushered into her own suite of rustic rooms by an apple-cheeked maid, as men carried her luggage into her room. In her imaginings, Carson happily introduced her to everyone. The sound of cows mingling with the familiar sound of crickets would have lulled her to sleep.
    “Where shall I stay?” she asked, eyeing the house doubtfully.
    Her question seemed to baffle Carson. “I don’t know. I suppose you could stay at the hotel.” A queer expression passed over his features, almost as if he’d eaten something awful. “No. Maybe not such a good idea. You could stay here. We have an extra room.”
    Amelia looked shocked. “With two single men? My maid isn’t with me. I should have mentioned that. She came with me as far as New York, but she fell in love with one of the ship’s crewman and asked if she could stay in New York. Of course, I said yes.” Amelia, in the throes of adventure and love, had practically begged her maid to take a chance with the young sailor. It had been so romantic to watch the two of them fall in love. She’d been so happy, she wanted everyone to be in love as much as she was.
    “You brought a maid with you?”
    Amelia looked at him as if he were mad. Everyone knew a proper unmarried girl traveled with a maid—at the very least. It had been quite adventurous and quite improper of her to come all the way from New York on her own. “Of course, I did. How else was I to get dressed? As it is, I only have two gowns that don’t require assistance to get in and out of. And they are sorely in need of replacement.”
    He grinned at her with the devil in his eyes. “I can help you now that you’re here,” he said.
    Amelia laughed. “I’m sure you wish I’d let you. But no. Until we are married, it wouldn’t be proper.”
    “As I recall, darlin’, I almost had you undressed that once.”
    Amelia blushed, recalling that time during his visit to Meremont that she’d actually had the nerve to invite him into her room. She’d only done so when he’d promised not to touch her, a promise she knew—and was secretly glad—he’d been unable to keep. Just thinking about the things they’d done made her entire body flush. “Yes, it was quite improper,” she said, but she was completely unable to retain her spinster demeanor for more than a second before laughter bubbled up again.
    He pulled her against him so she was aware of his arousal, and he bent to kiss her. “I’ve missed you sorely,” he said against her lips. With a groan, he deepened the kiss, and Amelia, sighing in relief and pleasure, felt herself falling into a pool of lust just as she had so many times before when Carson had stolen kisses.
    They separated quickly when a door opened behind them.
    “Carson, your brother says to get a room ready for the girl.” Standing before her was an older woman with dark hair sprinkled with gray, and sharp brown eyes