Adams, Eve - The Banished Bride [Brides of Bachelor Bay 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read Free

tongue and instead nodded at Judge Arnett. A crusty old man twice the age of dirt, Arnett could use a little attention from the opposite sex. “What about the judge?”
    Mrs. Hathaway’s gaze cooled. “I don’t want the judge. I need a young man full of life, a man such as yourself, Noah.”
    He kept his attention on the door. “There are several men equal to my age or even younger. I’m sure you’ll find someone.”
    “I want you ,” she whispered vehemently.
    And I want Amelia Prescott. “I’m sorry, Martha. I’m not available.”
    “This evening?”
    “ Any evening.”
    She stiffened and hardened her expression. Mrs. Hathaway did not like to be turned down. “Are you denying me?”
    “That I am.”
    “Denying me only denies yourself, Noah. Think back to the last time we were together.” She reached for him.
    He stopped her by grabbing her wrist. When he looked at her, she flashed her cool gaze at him.
    “I’m not interested.”
    “Who’s caught the impervious Noah Gallagher’s attention?”
    Only the woman with the prettiest blue eyes in the entire Washington Territory. They were the exact shade of the waters of the port on the calmest day after a storm.
    He shifted his shoulders, rolling them to flex the muscles in the hopes of loosening them up. Just the thought of seeing Amelia had his body too tight and his pulse drumming hard in his ears.
    “Last chance, Noah.”
    “Good evening, Mrs. Hathaway. Give my regards to your husband.” He pushed away from the wall and made his way over to the punch. He needed something to wet his throat, and since Hattie didn’t allow spirits in her dance hall, the watered-down punch would have to do.
    “Good evening, Noah.”
    “Mayor.” Noah nodded at Adam Steele, Port Steele’s founder. A newlywed, Adam had taken one of the brides for himself and seemed pretty damn happy. “Where’s that lovely wife of yours?”
    “Patti is at home this evening. She hasn’t been feeling well.”
    “You left her there alone?”
    Adam lifted a corner of his lips. “She’s home with Raven.”
    Shaking his head, Noah bit back what he really wanted to say. He knew about Adam and his brother. He knew that, even though Patience Steele might be Adam’s wife on paper, the brothers shared her equally.
    The idea of sharing Amelia with another man plagued his thoughts. Would he be willing to share the most delectable morsel in all of Port Steele if he actually had any sense of control over her?
    Quite possibly, but he’d never know that as a fact. Amelia Prescott answered to herself and herself alone—and he loved her more for it.
    “I’m sorry to hear that. Have you had Doc Simmons to the house?”
    Adam snapped his brow into a frown. “Twice. He assures me there is no cause for alarm. He even said so with a goddamn smirk on his face.”
    Noah saw the doubt swirling in Adam’s dark eyes. “You don’t believe him?”
    “I’ll believe him when I see my wife healthy once again. If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak with Logan about this business of starting up a shipping company.”
    Swallowing hard, Noah straightened his spine and spun around to face the door. The announcement of Logan had Noah’s midsection twisting tight. Logan always escorted Lizzie to the dances. Since Lizzie didn’t allow Amelia out of her sight, that meant the blonde beauty with enormous blue eyes would be with them.
    He took a step toward the door, but then stopped as his heart sank. A crowd of men immediately surrounded her like a swarm of hungry bees around the sweetest flower. By the time he made his way through that mob, she’d have no room left on her dance card. And, once again, he’d leave the dance hall without a dance. He had no desire to dance with any of the other brides. He hated to dance.
    Noah spotted Aaron Lambert talking with Jack Bartlett and approached. “How’s the banking business, Aaron?”
    “Can’t complain, Noah.” Aaron nodded in greeting at the youngest