The Unexpected Bride Read online

  Concerned that he might put himself in danger, Elthia rushed forward. But as soon as she stepped into the dark cavern that was the Tanner’s barn, she halted. “Poppy,” she called softly as she gave her eyes time to adjust, “come here, boy.”

  Snuffling noises pinpointed her pet’s location near what looked like feed sacks. She swooped down on the animal, scolding him for running off as she did so.

  Disturbed by her presence, the horses whickered softly. Elthia moved to the stall of the smaller of the two. Speaking endearments, she set Poppy down again, found a curry brush, and stroked the mare’s neck. She’d always enjoyed grooming her own horse after a ride, and the task soothed her as much as it did the horse.

  A few minutes later she realized it was getting lighter, and though that meant it was easier to see, it also meant the household would soon be stirring. Perhaps it was time she got back to the house.

  Then she felt a prickling on the back of her neck.

  “They hang horse thieves in these parts, you know.”

  CHAPTER 5

  Caleb was quite pleased with the effect of his words, for all of about three seconds.

  With a startled squeak, his reluctant bride-to-be whirled around, knocking over the pitchfork hanging nearby and sending the brush in her hand flying his way. He raised an arm to protect his head and only partially succeeded. His hand took the brunt of the assault, with a blow across the knuckles painful enough to draw an ungentlemanly oath from him.

  Then her ridiculous excuse for a guard dog, apparently sensing his mistress needed protection, launched full tilt at Caleb, attaching himself with growling tenacity to a pants leg.

  Sucking on his bleeding fist, Caleb danced on one foot, kicking his other in a vain attempt to dislodge her would-be protector. The fact that he hadn’t taken time to pull on his boots before he left the house didn’t help matters any.

  Miss Sinclare’s nervously suppressed laughter brought him up short. She thought this was funny, did she? “If you care about this worthless animal,” he said through clenched teeth, “you’ll call him off right now. Because in about two seconds I’m gonna grab that pitchfork and scrape him off my pants leg.”

  It was an idle threat, of course. He wouldn’t hurt such a puny critter, even an irritating, pint-sized nuisance like Poppy. But she took his words with almost insulting seriousness.

  Sobering, she stretched a hand toward the rodent-sized mutt. “Come here, Poppy,” she coaxed. Then, glancing sideways at him, her tone sweetened. “Can’t you see you’ve succeeded in cowing the poor man.”

  Caleb didn’t know if he should be insulted by the veiled mockery of her words or amused by her temerity. He was almost glad when the dog ignored her and she had to come closer still.

  With obvious trepidation, she stooped at his feet and took hold of the obstinate animal with both hands. When a gentle tug failed to dislodge her pet, Miss Sinclare’s tone took on a sharper edge. “Poppy, you let go right now. If you get through to his leg, it’ll likely give you indigestion.”

  Caleb resisted the urge to roll his eyes. It might be bluster, but a grudging admiration for her spunk tugged at him.

  She gave a harder yank, and the contrary mutt finally let go. The oh-so-proper Lady Privilege landed on her rump with a very unladylike thump. Caleb got a quick view of nicely turned calves before she scrambled to her feet, ignoring his outstretched hand.

  With a have-it-your-way shrug, he lifted his foot to examine his pants leg and didn’t bother to hide his irritation. The annoyance was partly aimed at himself for the softening he’d felt just now. “I knew it. That furry gnat put a hole in my trousers.”

  That observation didn’t earn him any sympathy as she continued to soothe her dog with a defiant glare on her face.

  Then her face blanched. “You’re bleeding!” She set the dog down and approached him with none of her earlier wariness. “Here, let me have a look.” She took his left hand, the one with the still bleeding knuckles. Her teeth worried at her bottom lip as she examined his hand with a sure, delicate touch.

  Caleb was caught off guard by her concern. How long had it been since anyone had fussed over him?

  Then he rallied his defenses against her gentle assault. “I’m pretty sure I’ll live.”

  She reddened and dropped his hand as if it were a rattler but managed to summon a glare. “Well, it serves you right for sneaking up on me like that.”

  Caleb raised a brow. Surely she wasn’t blaming him for this little farce? “You were stealing my horse!”

  “I was not stealing it!” She brushed at her skirt. “I was just getting to know her. I happen to like horses.”

  At least she had the grace to blush. And a blush on this freckled redhead was a sight to see.

  She lifted her chin another notch, as if denying the need for him to feel any sympathy. “I promised we would talk this morning, and I keep my word.”

  He crossed his arms. “Do you now?”

  She took a deep breath. “Please, let’s not start that again.”

  “Very well. How do you suggest we settle this?”

  She pushed her glasses up on her nose, obviously preparing for battle. “We were both under a bit of pressure yesterday. I hope you’ll agree, now that we’ve had time to think things over, that under the circumstances our getting married is out of the question.”

  “That’s not the way I see it.”

  The knuckles of her clasped hands whitened, and Caleb could see it took an effort for her to speak calmly. He found himself pulling for her, mentally applauding her rallying efforts.

  Why?

  And why did he itch to get her riled again, to see the spirited color climb back in her cheeks?

  “I understand why you need a wife to help care for the children,” she continued. “But surely you don’t want someone you’d have to force. Let’s assume that this is all some terrible mix-up, that you didn’t lure me here under false pretenses.”

  He stiffened at the insult.

  But she barreled on. “That being the case, I see why you’d be upset to have wasted so much time and money with nothing to show for it. So I’ll agree to repay the money you’ve spent getting me here and add a little extra for your trouble.” She smiled at him, obviously pleased with her solution. “There. Problem solved and we can both get on with our lives.”

  Caleb felt some of his sympathy evaporate at this pointed reminder of her moneyed status. He raised an eyebrow. “Do you always try to buy your way out of problems, rather than just face up to them?”

  She actually stomped her foot. “How dare you!”

  He shrugged, eyeing her steadily. “Well, isn’t that what you’re proposing?”

  A hunted expression clouded her face as she nibbled on her lip. “I can see how it might seem that way. But I’m willing to help in other ways too. I’ll even stay on for a few days until you can make other arrangements for help with the children.”

  She flashed him a smile as if it were all settled. “I’ll also do everything in my power to expedite the search for just the right woman.” A wave of her hand dismissed the whole problem as a mere inconvenience. “Why, I imagine in less than a month we can have someone here, ready and willing to step in to this household as Mrs. Caleb Tanner.”

  He set his jaw. “I don’t have a month.”

  She looked down her nose at him, a good trick for someone nearly a foot shorter than he. “Come now, Mr. Tanner. I know this group must be a handful for you to manage on your own, but surely you can survive just a little longer.”

  Caleb felt his jaw tighten. “In case it’s slipped your notice, today is May twenty-ninth. As you know, I have to be married before the first of June or I lose the kids.”

  That set her back. “I know no such thing. And aren’t you their legal guardian?”

  “Not yet. Didn’t you read anything in the file I sent Pembroke?”

  It was her turn to raise an eyebrow. “Not in the file I read.”

  Why
did she insist on maintaining this charade? He was getting downright tired of her claims of having been duped. But he wasn’t in the mood to keep arguing the point.

  Eyeing her steadily, he pointed to a pair of dusty crates behind her. “Sit.”

  She frowned at the makeshift bench and opened her mouth as if to protest.

  “I said sit.” He barked the words this time. Did she never just do as she was told?

  Her mouth snapped shut and her eyes widened. Tipping her nose up, she nodded and sat where he’d pointed.

  Leaning against one of the stalls, Caleb folded his arms. “Here’s the information you’d already know if you bothered to read the files. The kids are my nieces and nephews. Their parents died about two months ago. I’m trying to work things out so that I can legally adopt them.”

  Her expression softened. “Oh, those poor children. Zoe told me their parents were gone, but I didn’t realize it was so recent. This must be a difficult time for them.”

  Her gaze turned sympathetic, almost admiring. “And for you as well. Your stepping up to help them is very commendable. But that doesn’t explain the deadline you mentioned.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck, choosing his words carefully. “I’ve been a bit of a drifter the past few years. And I confess I’m not proud of some of the things I did in my younger days. Add to that the fact that I’m a bachelor, and you can see how I might not come across as an ideal candidate for instant parenthood.”

  It wasn’t a very flattering picture of himself, but he’d be hanged if he’d act apologetic. “There were other relatives willing to take some of the kids. So when I first approached the judge with my request to adopt, he wasn’t sympathetic.”

  She frowned. “Mr. Tanner, as noble as your intentions are, if there were others equally as willing, don’t you think you’re being a bit selfish?”

  “Believe me, taking them in wasn’t my first choice. I don’t know anything about being a father. I tried my best to find another solution. But I wasn’t going to let them get split up, and nobody wanted to take in the whole group.” He shrugged. “So I went to court and kept hammering away until my relatives and the judge finally agreed to see things my way. But I have to meet two conditions before the judge will make it official.”

  He raised a finger. “First I have to have a wife to help take care of the kids. If I’m not married by June first, and to someone the judge approves of, I’ll forfeit the kids.” He paced away from her. He had to make her see, make her understand. She liked the kids already. If he made her really see what was at stake here, she might be more willing to stay.

  He raised another finger. “Second, I have to turn us into a real family. I have three months to do that. On September first, Judge Walters will look us over. If he thinks we fit his idea of a ‘proper family’ then he’ll sign the adoption papers. If not, the kids get split up, doled out to whatever relatives will take them.” And that he absolutely would not allow.

  She pursed her lips. “I sympathize with your predicament. But that doesn’t change things. I won’t marry you.”

  He studied her until her pose lost some of its assurance. “You ran away from home rather than stand and face your problems, and you’re trying to run away from here for the same reasons. It’s time you grew a bit of backbone, Miss Sinclare.”

  The next words fairly exploded from her. “You know nothing about me or my reasons for coming here. I came here to prove something, not to hide.”

  “And just what are you trying to prove?”

  Lady Privilege clamped her lips shut. “That’s irrelevant. But you have to believe me, this is not the bargain I made with the placement agency.”

  Caleb waved aside her words. “Your bargain is with me, not Pembroke. They just served as my agent. And a commitment is a commitment, regardless of how carelessly you reviewed the terms.”

  “Mr. Tanner, please be reasonable.”

  “Miss Sinclare, being reasonable is a luxury I don’t have right now. Let me spell it out. I would do just about anything to see that these kids don’t get split up. I was hoping you’d see this through, for their sake if not for mine.”

  She lifted a hand, as if in supplication. “There’s got to be another way.”

  “If you can come up with something, I’m willing to listen.”

  Elthia searched her mind frantically for an answer, thinking out loud as she did. “Why does it have to be a wife? A live-in housekeeper could serve just as well. I could help you find someone like that, someone willing to help raise the children?”

  The infuriatingly stubborn Mr. Tanner shook his head. “I thought of that. Judge Walters didn’t like the idea of hired help filling the role of mother, especially when there were other relatives willing to step in. He said kids need more stability than that. Besides, even if the judge would agree to it, I couldn’t afford to pay a full-time housekeeper. And if we got past all that, we still have the problem of time. I don’t reckon I could find a good candidate for that role any faster than I could find a new bride.”

  Elthia, desperate now, pounced on that thought. “What if I stayed on as a governess for the next three months, just like I planned. You wouldn’t even have to pay me.”

  Again, he shook his head. “Like I said, the judge didn’t like the idea of hired help raising the kids. He ruled I had to have a wife, someone with a personal interest in me and the kids, someone who’d stay around for their growing up years, or no deal. And I’m not about to ruin my chances by trying to make him change his mind. Besides, I don’t reckon he’d think it proper for a young lady to live here unless I was married to her.”

  She chewed her lip. How in the world would she ever get out of this mess without dooming the children to the fate he described?

  Mr. Tanner stuck a piece of straw between his teeth and propped one boot on the crate beside her. “Perhaps there is another way.”

  She looked up at him looming above her, waiting for him to explain. Even though the situation was impossible, even though he was being thoroughly unreasonable, she felt a spark of admiration for him. He really cared about those children. Though misguided, his efforts seemed honorably motivated. Had he really discovered an answer they could both live with?

  He leaned an arm on his bent knee. “What if you were to marry me but only temporarily.”

  Appalled, Elthia opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, he raised a hand.

  “No, hear me out. All I need is a wife for the next three months or so, until the judge grants me permanent custody. What if we got married but in name only? You would stay here as my wife and help me care for the kids. Then once they’re legally mine, you and I can quietly get an annulment.”

  “Annulment?”

  He nodded. “Yes, of course. As long as you and I don’t actually”—he paused and sent her a wicked grin—“consummate the marriage, we should be able to arrange an annulment.”

  Elthia knew her face must be a flaming red, but she managed to choke out her protest. “You can’t seriously expect me to agree to such a plan.”

  “Have it your way.” Again he flashed that wickedly suggestive grin, and she felt an odd fluttering in her stomach.

  The piece of straw shifted from one corner of his mouth to the other. “If you prefer we treat this like a true marriage after the wedding, then I guess I’ll be able to live with that.”

  “No!” She took a deep breath. “You’re deliberately twisting my words. You know very well what I meant.”

  He shrugged. “Call it what you want. I told you, I’ll do what I have to in order to keep the family together. But if you have a better plan to accomplish that, let’s hear it.”

  There had to be another way. And not just for the children’s sake. Running home was not an option. Just the thought of that sent a shiver up her spine.

  But to marry this stranger, even an in-name-only arrangement—could she go through with such a thing? Could she trust him to live up to the conditions?

&nbs
p; “What about the children?” she demanded. “The judge had a valid point. It wouldn’t be fair to them for me to engage their affections and then up and leave in a few months.”

  “I’d planned for you to stay, remember?” He raked a hand through his hair. “It can’t be helped. And I’ll still be here. Besides, it’s not much different than if you’d come as governess like you planned. You would have ‘engaged their affections’ and then left after three months, wouldn’t you?”

  She had no answer for that.

  He seemed a hard man, single-minded and inflexible when he set his mind on something. His motives, though, were noble. Not many men would take on what he had. And he seemed focused on finding a mother for the children, not a wife for himself.

  Not that she thought she’d be much of a temptation to him. Heaven knows, she had years of evidence to prove that men had no trouble resisting her limited charms. Baxter had only pressed his suit because her father had increased her dowry.

  She studied Mr. Tanner, balancing his obstinacy and lack of polish against the patience and sympathy he’d shown with the children. She couldn’t really think of him as a bad man. Under different circumstances, she might have even been attracted to him. Those broad shoulders and that crooked smile held their own appeal. Even his strong-mindedness, if someone were to help him focus it properly, could be viewed as an admirable trait.

  Then again, what involvement had he had in the trickery that lured her here?

  She squared her shoulders. Even if he created the father of all scandals, he couldn’t really force her to marry him. She’d been determined to see this adventure through to the end, but this was no longer the adventure she’d signed on for. And she wouldn’t let foolish pride back her into a corner.

  But before she could say anything, Mr. Tanner looked past her and his eyes widened. He rushed forward, moving quicker than she would have thought possible.

  “Crazy mutt,” he snapped as he scooped Poppy up. Her pet had been chasing a lizard across the straw-covered floor and was mere inches from the sharp, upturned tines of the pitchfork.