Their Harlot Bride (Bridgewater Brides) Read online

  Overhearing the other women in the factory, talking about men looking for brides out west, giggling as they read the ads in the paper, spurred me to look, too. A woman could disappear out west, couldn’t she?

  William’s last telegram hadn’t come too soon.

  The day it arrived, one of the women at the factory told me some men were asking about a woman of my description with a British accent.

  “But they’re looking for a whore.” Penny had giggled, sincerely amused. “Not someone as buttoned-up as you are.”

  Somehow, I’d managed to laugh, even as panic clawed its way up my chest. I’d gone straight home to the boarding house after work that night, snuck in the back door, and cleared out my room. It was already paid up through the week, so I didn’t feel any guilt about my abrupt departure.

  I used the last of Lord Carmichael’s money to buy myself a few new bonnets, my train ticket, and a hotel room to stay in until my train departed. Hiding my face and hair with the deep bonnets, I spoke as little as possible, doing my best to ape an American accent when I did. People looked at me oddly, but as long as I didn’t sound British, I didn’t care.

  It wasn’t until I finally stepped on the train, I was able to breathe easier, the tightness around my chest finally loosening. Tracking me to New York was no hard feat, especially since I was likely remembered on London’s docks—I hadn’t been thinking about hiding myself then—but surely, he wouldn’t be able to follow me west. Even if he did, I’d have a husband to protect me. Cherish me. That was what the ad had promised. I wanted to be cherished. To fall in love. To feel my body come alive with a man. I had been told it was possible, despite my experiences. Perhaps I had no right to be hopeful for such a thing, but I hoped all the same.

  The train began to slow, and my heart bounced inside my chest as my head jerked up to look out the window at the town rolling into view. Off in the distance, there were mountains standing between the land and the blue of the sky, looking smaller than I’d imagined they would be. Perhaps they were bigger when one got closer.

  There were no large buildings or bustling streets, although there were people milling about. There was something strange about the scene, and it took me a moment to realize what I found odd—there was no one rushing about, no one seemed to be in a hurry.

  The conductor came by, shouting for all the passengers who were going to Travis Point and Bridgewater. The woman beside me snorted and came awake as I pulled my suitcase down from the shelf above us.

  “You’re getting off here?” she asked, sounding shocked and a little scandalized.

  I frowned. “Yes…”

  She eyed my attire, which covered me completely. Penny had called me “buttoned-up” for a reason. It didn’t always keep the men at bay, unfortunately, but it helped a little.

  “Wouldn’t have figured you for a harlot.”

  Shocked, I stared at her, then the conductor was yelling again, and I had to hurry to get off the train. The word echoed in my mind. Why had she called me that? I didn’t have time to ponder the mystery, though. Almost as soon as I stepped off the train, I saw the man I was to meet.

  There weren’t many people about, which made it very easy to see the two men on the far side, one of them holding a small bouquet of pink, white, and blue flowers—the only one on the platform holding flowers.

  My lips parted in surprise.

  I didn’t know what I had been expecting, but I knew it wasn’t this. Both men were tall and broad-shouldered, although William was a little shorter than the man beside him. He had a wide smile on his clean-shaven, handsome face that instantly made me want to like and trust him, a rather scary feeling after not being able to trust anyone for so long. The man standing next to him was handsome despite his scowl, his face scruffier than William’s but still quite striking.

  To my surprise, something in my body stirred as I looked at them. Something I had only felt a few times before when one of my customers had been more attentive than usual—a little ache inside. I was aroused. The shock of it held me still for a moment before I managed to shake it off and approach them, quaking from both fear and my body’s reaction.

  2

  William

  * * *

  Looking at the few people coming off the train, I knew the moment I saw her, I was looking at our wife. She was the only woman traveling alone. My body reacted, my cock thickening at the very sight of her. It didn’t matter that her dress had sleeves to the wrist and was buttoned all the way to her throat, or that her hair and face were completely hidden by her dark green bonnet. I could see the grace in her movements, her neat waist, and the generous curves of her body, and I wanted her.

  When she approached and finally lifted her head, so I could see her face, my breath caught, and I nearly choked.

  “William West?” The soft lilt of her voice had an accent I recognized from some of the soldiers who had made their home in Bridgewater, but I scarcely paid attention to that as she put her bag down and stood before us.

  Considered comely.

  That’s what her first telegram said. I had hoped for fair enough to be attractive to both Clive and me, but I never expected this. Beside me, Clive cursed under his breath, low enough, even I couldn’t hear exactly what he said, but it didn’t matter. I stared back at our soon-to-be-wife, transfixed.

  Skin that looked sun-kissed—likely her natural coloring if she wore bonnets like that all that time—a heart-shaped face, finely pointed dark brows over wide black eyes, a man could fall into and drown. Her lips were a dark pink pout, plush and full, the kind of lips a man wanted to see wrapped around his cock.

  Wrapped around my cock, which had hardened so fast, I felt almost dizzy from the need pounding through me.

  Her eyebrows began to furrow, and I realized I hadn’t answered her. Clearing my throat, I thrust the flowers in my hand at her.

  “That’s me. Sorry… I just… you’re beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” she said, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, which made me wonder. A woman on her own, who looked like she did, probably garnered unwanted attention, which explained the deep bonnet. Protectiveness welled up inside me. She tilted her head at Clive. “Hello. I’m Sassy McCloud.”

  “Sorry,” I said, jumping in as I realized my mistake. “This is Clive North, my partner and your other husband-to-be.”

  Sassy’s eyes widened in alarm, and the hand she’d started to hold out was snatched back.

  “Other…” Her voice trailed off faintly.

  “Told you this was going to happen,” Clive scoffed and looked at me. I could tell from his expression, he was just as attracted to her as I was, but that didn’t stop him from being his usual grumpy self.

  I glared at him before turning back to Sassy.

  “The ad said we were looking for a wife. Bridgewater is known for having a different way of marriage. The founders of the town decided they wanted a place where they could follow Mohamiram customs and settled here. We mostly marry two men to one woman.”

  I pointed at the town, where several triads walked down the town’s only thoroughfare. Sassy’s head turned, the wide brim of the bonnet blocking my view, so I couldn’t see her expression as she examined them. I paused, giving her a moment to take it in, but of course, Clive had to comment.

  “If that’s a problem, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

  I wanted to groan. His terrible sense of humor raised itself at the oddest times. I was pretty sure he thought we were about to be rejected and wanted to hurry the process along.

  “Legally, you’ll only be married to me,” I said hurriedly. “But both Clive and I will both act as your husbands. If you’ll have us.”

  I held my breath for her answer.

  Sassy

  * * *

  Two husbands.

  Impossible.

  Yet… I didn’t think they were lying or joking. As I watched, one of the women in the street kissed both the men she was with on the lips before
going into a store. The two men stood outside, fondly watching her go before turning to talk to each other once she was inside.

  That strange little curl of arousal began to ache a little bit more. Why my body was reacting this way, I didn’t know. I had never experienced it outside of a man actually touching me, yet neither of these men had laid a finger on me.

  But they were both going to.

  A shiver went down my spine.

  “If I say it’s a problem?” I asked, curious about their answer. Neither man set off a sense of danger, other than my odd reaction to them, but I was still in shock at the idea of having two husbands rather than one. I thought the ad meant they were both looking for their own wife, not the same one.

  The comment from the woman on the train suddenly made sense. She must have known Bridgewater’s reputation.

  “Then we’ll invite you to stay and get to know us a bit before you make a decision,” William said. Clive’s expression didn’t change, but an air of disapproval hung around him all the same. Strangely, that didn’t deter me. I’d rather know what he was feeling. William smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll be gentle with you. Your wedding night won’t be anything but pleasure.”

  Heat flushed my cheeks, and I bit my lip as I realized their assumption about my hesitation. From the beginning, I’d decided to hide my past employment. Everyone treated whores differently. Likely, they assumed I was a virgin. My extremely modest attire was to help disguise myself, but it was also the reason Penny had called me “buttoned-up” and had thought I was a prude. I had been so focused on reaching safety, I had barely given thought how I would handle my non-virgin status.

  Harlot.

  The woman’s comment drifted through my mind. Perhaps my experience would be an asset… but no, I dare not risk it. They would likely turn on me, and if they told anyone about my former occupation, it would make it easier for Lord Carmichael to find me. While I hoped I’d fled far enough, he would cease his efforts, I would not risk assuming that.

  I would have to pretend to be the virgin I was once; that’s all there was to it. I would not make them wait, either. I needed protection, and men would be more protective of a wife than of the woman who might become one. If I were completely honest, I was also curious about my body’s reaction to them. I was attracted to them, both of them, in a way I’d never felt toward any other man. I could not help but wonder if that would make a difference when they bedded me.

  Straightening my spine, I nodded my head. “I will marry you. Both of you.”

  Clive

  * * *

  “Why?” I asked suspiciously before William could jump on her acceptance like the eager puppy he resembled. He was practically wagging his tail and had been since we got our first good look at Miss Sassy McCloud—not that I could blame him.

  She was stunningly beautiful, the kind of beauty that turned heads and made it impossible for people to forget her. She was aware of it, too, or she wouldn’t be hiding her face. It made me wonder what else she was hiding. There had to be something. What sent a woman who looked like that this far west for a husband? Surely, she hadn’t lacked for suitors where she came from.

  My cock was hard as a rock, just looking at her and imagining stripping her of those prim clothes, so we could make her scream with pleasure.

  She blinked, her long lashes sweeping over her cheeks.

  “That’s what I came here to do, isn’t it? Get married? If two husbands are the custom of your town, I have no objection. I would rather two husbands than none at all.”

  William started to open his mouth, but I held up my hand to stop him. I could practically hear his teeth grinding in frustration, but he didn’t intervene with my questioning. We both had to agree to marry her.

  “How is it a woman as beautiful as you couldn’t find a husband before now?” I asked, glaring down at her.

  She paled a touch, gulping, and her gaze dropped along with her voice, which became little more than a whisper. “There… there was man…”

  Fear. That’s what I heard in the tremble of her voice, and a fierce protective instinct rose inside me, batting aside both my suspicion and my arousal.

  “A man you didn’t want to marry?” William asked gently, reaching out to take her hand. She hesitated but put her fingers in his, nodding.

  “H-he was very angry when I rejected him. And… he is a very powerful man. H-he did not want to marry me.” She bit her plush lower lip as anger on her behalf began to rise inside my chest. “I wanted to be far enough away, he would not, could not follow. I… perhaps this was a mistake. I do not want to bring trouble to anyone else. I just want to be safe.” Sincerity rang in every word she spoke.

  So, she was running from a man she didn’t want, and it sounded as though he’d made her a dishonorable offer. I relaxed, although I still wished the man in question was in front of me, so I could teach him a lesson about how to treat a woman. William and I exchanged looks.

  “We’ll keep you safe,” William said reassuringly. He was better at sweet talking than me. “You’ll be completely safe as our wife.”

  Sassy’s head tipped back, and she peeked at me from underneath her bonnet. I nodded firmly.

  “However much power he has back east, he doesn’t have any here. You don’t have to marry us, though. We can keep you safe, regardless.”

  I wasn’t going to let any woman go unprotected. William glared at me, but then his expression softened, and he nodded, squeezing her hand as he realized what I meant.

  “Clive’s right. You don’t have to marry us unless you truly want to.”

  “I want to,” she said hurriedly. “I-I want to be a wife. And I find you, both of you, very, um, handsome.” She blushed a very charming color of pink.

  William preened at her words. I couldn’t help but straighten up a touch myself. She was attracted to us. What man wouldn’t enjoy hearing that?

  “Well, then, let’s get to the church, sweetheart,” William said, lifting her hand to his lips, giving it a kiss before he bent down to take her luggage from her. She only had the one case, which he hefted easily.

  Placing my hand on the small of her back, I felt a slight tremble run through her as William and I flanked her, guiding her off the platform toward the church where the preacher would be waiting.

  Sassy

  * * *

  Please, oh please, don’t let this be a mistake.

  That was the only thought running through my mind as I pledged to love, honor, and obey my husbands. Any doubts that they were jesting about both of them marrying me fled once we were standing in front of the preacher, who immediately told them both to take my hands. It was a strange custom, but perhaps a very good one for my circumstances.

  Two husbands to protect me.

  Two husbands to please.

  Fortunately, I was well versed in pleasing more than one man a day.

  Two husbands to protect me.

  I still felt a touch of guilt about misrepresenting what Lord Carmichael had wanted from me, but when William had made the suggestion, I had gratefully latched onto it. Running from an unwanted marriage sounded much better than running from a man who thought he owned me because he’d paid my debts to the brothel where I’d worked.

  “I now pronounce you husbands and wife,” the preacher said, pulling me out of my thoughts and back to the ceremony, binding me to Clive and William. “You may kiss the bride.”

  William turned to face me, pulling me into his arms for a kiss. It started sweetly, a gentle press of his lips against mine, and my heart fluttered in my chest as a warm wave of arousal washed over me. My nipples tingled, hardening against his broad chest as his hands pressed against my back. The kiss deepened, his tongue sliding into my mouth, coaxing a response from me, and I sighed against his lips, melting against him.

  Then the kiss was over, and William spun me back around to face Clive. My senses already humming, I gasped as Clive took hold of me and claimed my mouth. That
was what it was—not a kiss, but a statement. Unlike William, Clive wasn’t gentle, but my body responded all the same. The contrast between the two of them aroused me even more.

  I felt the heat of William’s body against my back, pressing into me, and I whimpered as Clive’s tongue invaded my mouth, his hand on the back of my neck, holding me in place. When he let me go, I was breathless and panting. Between the two of them, my body was stirred up in a manner no man had ever achieved before. Oh my… what had I gotten myself into?

  “Let’s head to the hotel,” Clive said, hand settling on the small of my back again as William’s fingers closed around mine. “We can have dinner before we got upstairs for the night.”

  “If that’s alright, Sassy?” William asked, his blue eyes glinting with hope.

  My legs felt a little unsteady as they guided me forward, William stooping to pick up my suitcase again with his free hand.

  “That’s… that’s fine,” I managed to say through lips still tingling from the impact of their kisses.

  “Good luck!” The preacher called as we exited the church. I appreciated the sentiment—I had a feeling I was going to need it.

  3

  William

  * * *

  Dinner passed quickly. Sassy had been a bit overcome by our kisses, but she’d recovered by the time we reached the hotel. She wanted to know all about the ranch and what we expected from her as a wife. As usual, I did most of the talking with Clive interjecting here and there.

  We wanted her to be able to cook, clean the house, keep our clothes mended, and—eventually—take care of any children who came along. Of course, we’d help with all of those as we were able, especially the children, but ranching was long, hard hours. She’d be in charge, for most of it. Of course, thinking about eventual children reminded me how much I wanted to start practicing having them with our new wife.