Benedict's Bargain Bride (Dalton Brides Book 6) Read online

  He walked to the other end of the car and leaned against the wall, folding his arms over his chest. The girl was crazy, and that's all there was to it.

  *****

  Lillian wished she had a pretty nightgown with lace to change into for her wedding night, but all she had were the serviceable white gowns she'd made for herself since the fire. She missed her parents every day, but marrying Benedict would help fill the void in her life.

  She wasn't pleased with the events that had brought about her marriage to him, but she was still fulfilling a life-long dream, and she was going to make the most of it. She changed into her nightgown, and climbed into the bed, fighting the urge to pull the covers over herself. No man had ever seen her so scantily clad, and she was nervous about it. Why, even her father had never seen her in just her nightgown without something covering her. She inched the fabric up her leg, just a bit, so her knee would show. She hoped that wasn't too much flesh to show her husband!

  She was a bit nervous about her wedding night. Her mother had always been open with her about what occurred between a husband and his wife. Her father hadn't liked it, but her mother hadn't believed girls should be kept in the dark about such things.

  She trusted Benedict, and she knew relations with someone else would make her skin crawl, but they'd barely kissed. She had no idea what to expect from him.

  When the door slowly opened, she looked at his face, wondering what he'd think of her in her nightgown. Would he be repulsed by her?

  Benedict looked at her lying on the bed and blinked a few times. Why was she looking at him that way? And why on earth wasn't she covered up like she should be? "Cover yourself."

  Lillian looked at him with a smile. "Aren't you going to join me?" She wished her mother had told her more about how to get a man's attention in this kind of situation, but really? What kind of mother would do such a thing?

  She rolled to the far side of the narrow bed to make room for him to join her.

  Benedict was shocked to realize he actually wanted to join her, but he knew it was just a physical reaction. He couldn't sleep in that bed with her. He slowly shook his head. "I'll sleep in the top bunk. There's no room for me there."

  Without bothering to undress, he climbed the ladder to the top bunk and laid atop the covers with his hands folded over his chest.

  "Benedict?" Lillian asked, doing her best to contain the tears. "Aren't you going to...you know?"

  Benedict swallowed hard. She was too young for him. He had to keep reminding himself that she'd driven him crazy. He waited for a bit, and when he finally answered his voice was harsh. "No, I'm not going to join you. We're getting an annulment as soon as we reach Texas. Remember?"

  Lillian pulled the covers over herself, humiliated by his attitude. She rolled to her stomach and buried her face in her pillow. She wasn't certain what she'd done wrong, but it must be something. She'd figure it out, and tomorrow night, they'd have their wedding night. It was probably for the best anyway. She should get used to his kisses before they made love, shouldn't she?

  *****

  Benedict rose early the next morning and went to use the facilities. When he came back, he looked at his wife. It was hard to believe he'd tied himself legally to the one woman he would have preferred to turn his back on.

  She was sprawled on her back, one hand beside her face on the pillow. Her covers had been shoved to the floor, and her nightgown had ridden up to mid-thigh. She looked beautiful lying there, and much older than she actually was. He was certain she was still thirteen, wasn't she?

  The stirrings of his body made him feel guilty, so he picked up the cover from the floor and threw it over her, sinking down into a chair across their tiny room from her, careful to keep his eyes off her. How could someone he detested as much as he loathed Lillian make him feel so much? He wanted to curse his body as it betrayed him.

  Lillian came awake slowly, too hot in the small room. She pushed the blanket to the floor and rolled to her side, tucking her hands under her cheek. She moaned, feeling the ache in her back from sleeping on the unfamiliar bed. Slowly she lifted her lashes and saw Benedict sitting across the room from her.

  She knew she should be embarrassed at her state of undress, but he was her husband. Surely he'd have to see her in her nightgown for their marriage to be consummated.

  She sat up in bed, stifling a yawn. "What timezit?" she asked.

  Benedict looked at his pocket watch, careful not to look at her. She was sitting with her legs crossed in front of her, paying no mind to the way her nightgown left most of her bare. Even the top of the gown had come unbuttoned, and he could see the side of her breast poking out.

  He averted his gaze again, cursing himself for looking at her. "It's almost eight. Time for us to head to the dining car for breakfast."

  They'd established that she was not to leave the room on her own, even to make use of the facilities. He would wait outside the door for her, because they couldn't be certain the deacons didn't have someone on the train watching them.

  Lillian nodded, stretching one arm above her head until it bumped into the bunk above her. She got out of the bed and dug into her carpet bag for one of the new dresses she'd made. Everything she owned at this point was new, because most everything had burned up in the fire. It had been fortunate that she'd been out at a church party for the young people when the fire had occurred. Not that she felt fortunate. Her heart sank as she thought of her parents.

  She couldn't help but wonder if they'd have approved of what she'd done to escape the clutches of the deacons. They certainly hadn't wanted her to meet Deacon Smith's nephew.

  "I wonder if my mama would be upset that I ran away so fast instead of standing to face the deacons."

  Benedict looked up to see her standing there, looking down into her carpet bag, a lost expression on her face. "Your parents would have wanted you safe. They would have done anything to keep you safe. You know that." He hadn't known her parents well, but he'd had dealings with her father from the mercantile. He'd been a good man, and he'd loved Lillian.

  Lillian felt a tear trickle down her face, and she quickly brushed it away. "I still can't believe they're gone."

  He stood and walked to her, pulling her into his arms. He knew it wasn't smart with the state he was in, but he couldn't just let her cry. "I know it's hard. I can't imagine feeling alone in the world as you must." He stroked her back softly, as he had for his younger sisters when they'd cried.

  "I don't feel alone anymore. I have you now."

  Benedict groaned, feeling like a heel. He didn't want her forever. He didn't even want her for the next hour, but he was all she had. He'd make the most of it. "I'm going to step out into the corridor while you dress. We'll go to breakfast in a moment."

  Lillian nodded, watching him go. She didn't care what he said. He was going to be her husband for the rest of her life. She couldn't imagine a day without him. She'd thought she'd loved him as a little girl, but now? He'd rescued her, and she was keeping him. That's all there was to it.

  Benedict tried to bring up her behavior of the previous evening over breakfast. "Lillian, I told you we're getting an annulment as soon as we reach Texas and my sisters. You need to keep yourself clothed around me. I'll give you time to get into bed each evening, but you need to cover up before I come back into the room."

  "But why? You're my husband. It's all right for you to see me unclothed. I know what happens between a husband and wife." Her eyes met his, and she smiled sweetly. "I'm more than willing to be a good wife to you, Benedict."

  He sighed. "Then be an obedient wife and keep covered, will you?"

  She reached out and stroked the back of his hand lightly with one finger. "I want to be close to you. Will you share my bunk tonight?" She leaned forward and put her lips to his ear. "I can explain what we're supposed to do if you don't know."

  Benedict looked down at where she was stroking him, feeling the electricity shoot through his body at her touch. He decided to ignore her offer of an explanation of what occurred between a man and wife. The woman was insane if she thought he didn't know that. "I can't share your bunk. We're getting an annulment and I need to leave you pure for the man you'll spend the rest of your life with."

  "No, you don't. Even if you set me aside once we reach Texas, I'll never marry anyone else. For me, you're the only man. I thought you knew that." How could he not know that? She'd told him years before and had never changed her behavior toward him.

  He shook his head emphatically. "You're too young for me. You're only thirteen!"

  Lillian blinked a couple of times before laughing out loud. "Thirteen? I'm twenty-one. Why do you think I'm thirteen?"

  He looked at her with fresh eyes. She didn't look thirteen, but he knew she must still be. "You can't be twenty-one."

  "I'm the same age as Gwen. She's married and has a little girl."

  Benedict scowled. He didn't like to think of his younger sisters married with children. No man should have touched them. They were much too young for that. "She was a child bride. I can't believe the man married her. Walton Dalton is a crazy man to marry a child like her."

  Lillian let out a giggle. "Walton Dalton? I knew his name was Walt Dalton but I thought it was short for Walter. Who would name their child Walton Dalton? It would be like you naming your child Drew Blue!"

  Benedict let out a snort. "Drew Blue? That's awful! Remind me to tell whomever you marry not to allow you to come up with the children's names."

  Lillian sat back with a frown, all laughter leaving her face. "I'm staying married to you. In fact, I would be more likely to name a child Drew Blue than I would be to let you set me aside."

  Benedict leaned forward earnestly. "I told you how it would be before we left Beckham." Why was she trying to go back on their arrangement now?

  "You told me what you wanted. I don't believe I ever agreed to anything." She didn't care what he said. He would have to throw her out of his life to get her to leave. She loved him, and she was going to stay with him for as long as he'd have her.

  "You didn't disagree. I took that as unspoken agreement."

  "You were mistaken. I didn't argue, because we were in a hurry. I'm not arguing now either. I'm telling you that I will do whatever it takes to stay your wife." She blotted her mouth with her napkin. "Breakfast was wonderful. Would you like to go back to our room now and consummate our marriage?"

  Benedict stared at her in disbelief, not quite certain how to respond. "You can't just say that to me!" he finally got out. He was certain she was a virgin, but she was the boldest young woman he'd ever spoken to. How had she become so brazen?

  "Why not? It's what I want." She smiled sweetly. "I've been told the marriage bed is very pleasurable, especially for the man. I'm happy to share that pleasure with you, Benedict."

  Benedict stood, threw his napkin on the table, and stormed from the dining car. The waiter appeared beside Lillian immediately. "Is everything all right, Miss?"

  "Everything is wonderful," she said as she got to her feet. "And it's Mrs. Benedict Blue." She was never going back to being a miss again. She didn't care what Benedict had to say about it.

  Chapter Five

  Benedict was waiting outside the dining car for her. "I knew you wouldn't have gone too far. You're far too chivalrous to allow me to go back to our room on my own when my life is in danger." She took his arm, which he hadn't offered, and started to walk back toward the sleeping car. "I do think I enjoy train travel. The constant movement is odd, but I like it."

  "Lillian, you're going to have to behave. I inquired about another sleeping car, or even a seat in the main car, but there's nothing available. The train is completely full."

  Lillian smiled, resting her cheek against his shoulder as they walked. "I'm certainly not going to complain about that. I'd rather share a room with you. Every day for the rest of our lives."

  When they reached their private quarters, he slid the door open. "We can't go on this way, Lillian. I need your word that you'll stop throwing yourself at me. I don't want to do something we'll both regret."

  She reached around him and slid the door closed, taking another step toward him that left him with his back against the door. "I have no intention of stopping anything, dear husband. Do you know why?" She put her palms flat onto his chest, moving even closer until there was almost no space between them.

  Benedict couldn't believe how aggressive she was being. She'd always been so meek around him. "Why?" he asked warily.

  "Because I would regret nothing," she said as she drew his head down for a kiss.

  Benedict was lost in her eyes for a moment and accepted the kiss. It took him all of three seconds to realize that kissing her was the last thing he wanted to be doing. "No!" he said, thrusting her away from him.

  She just smiled, feeling as if she'd won. "Later then, my love."

  Benedict shook his head at her. Had he really shackled himself to this woman for the time it would take to get to Texas?

  *****

  Lillian spent most of the day sewing. When her landlady had packed her belongings, she'd put the sewing materials Lillian had purchased into her bag. She had the makings of several dresses, so she knew she wouldn't be bored.

  Benedict sat with a newspaper in front of him. Every time the train stopped, he'd get out for a few minutes and walk around, telling her he was making certain no one was following them. Lillian would just sit quietly and sew with the door locked, and she'd open it again upon his return.

  On one of his sojourns into the world outside the train, Benedict went to the local telegraph office, sending two telegrams. The first was to Elizabeth Miller.

  "ON OUR WAY STOP ALL IS WELL STOP" Nothing else was needed. Elizabeth would know who it was from and understand. The second telegram, to his sister Gwen, was more complicated.

  "MARRIED LILLIAN STOP DEACONS AFTER US STOP FIND HER GOOD MAN STOP NEED FAST ANNULMENT STOP" He knew his sister would be unhappy with the missive, but he didn't know what else to do. He had to get away from Lillian before he did something they'd both regret.

  That time when he returned to the train, Lillian was lying on her side on the bottom bunk sound asleep. He couldn't believe how beautiful she'd become over the years. She couldn't possibly be the girl he'd rejected, could she?

  She didn't look thirteen anymore at all, but there were times when he could see the girl she'd been on her face. He was torn in how he felt. She was a temptress offering her body at every occasion, but he knew he'd never forgive her for their past. What was a man to do?

  *****

  When it was time for dinner, Benedict offered to leave the room so she could freshen up, using the pitcher and bowl provided for them.

  "Why don't we just stay in the room for supper? I could put one of the blankets on the floor, and we could have a nice romantic picnic." Lillian wanted as much time alone with him as she could get, and the only time she seemed to have his full attention was during meals.

  Benedict shook his head adamantly. "No. No to the romance and no to the picnic. I'll be back in five minutes. Be ready to go to the dining car." He shut the door behind him, still in disbelief. How many times would the woman throw herself at him in the five days it would take to get to Kansas? They would have a two day stop in Topeka, and then they would switch trains to go south toward Texas.

  He hoped he could find a way to get adjacent sleeping cars for the next leg of their journey, and he would see about that as soon as they arrived in Topeka. As it was, he'd only been able to reserve one room at the thriving hotel in Kansas. He'd stayed there once before and loved it, become fast friends with the owner, so he'd decided it would be a good place to take a break from Lillian on their way.

  An older gentleman nodded to him as he stood with his back to the door in the corridor. "You waiting on your wife for dinner? I promise you, out of the next fifty years, you'll wait on your wife for at least ten of them."

  Benedict smiled. He started to tell the old man that he wasn't married, but he was. "I thank you for your advice. We were just married yesterday." He did want to keep the illusion of newlyweds in love going. The more people that believed it the better. No one would be looking for a young couple in love.

  The old man smiled. "You enjoy your honeymoon, young man. Nothing better than the first few months of marriage when your wife still believes you know everything. Why, in another few months, she's going to know you know nothing, and she'll tell you every day."

  Benedict laughed softly as the older man walked off down the corridor leaning heavily on his cane. He obviously had once been very much in love, and unless Benedict was mistaken, he still was despite his words.

  He gave her ten minutes before opening the door. She'd dressed in a lavender dress for dinner, and her hair was twisted up into a knot atop her head. "You look lovely," he said without thinking. He was looking at her through a new husband's eyes after talking to the older man, and he knew better.

  Lillian's eyes lit up at his words. "Thank you!" She took his arm and walked with him toward the dining car. "How long before we reach Texas?" she asked, wondering just how long she'd have to make him fall in love with her. She really needed to plot out her strategy.

  "It's a ten day ride by train, but we're spending two days in Kansas. If anyone's searching for us, they won't think to look there."

  "Oh? Somewhere you know?"

  Benedict nodded. "There's a hotel there. It was once a mansion built by a gold miner who struck it rich. He ran out of money and went back to the mines where he was killed. The mansion was vacant for several years, and the man who bought it renovated it and turned it into a fine hotel and restaurant. I stayed there once before when I was doing some traveling for pleasure. I know Adam will help us in any way he can. We became friendly on my last visit."

  Lillian nodded. "Is Adam married?"