Mail Order Bride: Deception (Historical Western Romance): Clean Romance Series (Western Mail Order Brides Book 1) Read Free Page B

husband.”
    “Wedding?”
    “Yes. My house is only a five minute ride away from my mother’s.”
    “Oh, good.”
    Austin noticed that Victoria was wringing her hands in her lap. He leaned toward her, and in a low voice said, “I’m nervous, too.”
    She swung her head to look at him. “You are?”
    He nodded. “It’s strange for me too. It’s been over a year since Charlotte’s been gone, but I guess you know all that, and all about Violet.”
    “I don’t mind if you tell me again.”
    Austin looked at her. “Good.”
    “Tell me more about Violet.”
    “She’s turned one a few months ago. She’s the most precious thing in my life.”
    Leah put her hand to her bonnet. “I’m looking forward to meeting her. I’m just a little vague today. It must be the long journey.”
    “I hope you won’t be too tired to meet everyone tonight. They’re all anxious to meet you.”
    “I am tired, but I’ll be glad to meet everyone. Tell me some more about them.”
    “Well, there’s my sister, Beth, and her husband, Albert. They’ve got a ranch, and they’re building a house on it. While it’s being built, they’re staying with my mother.” He raised his hand. “Don’t be put off by my sister. She and Charlotte were best of friends, even before I married Charlotte.”
    “I see that I might have a lot to live up to.”
    “No, I don’t want you to feel like that, not at all. I’m sorry; maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned anything. I’ll let you take us as you find us. Don’t be disturbed by my brothers either. They can be awfully bad mannered, but they behave in front of my mother.”
    A small giggle escaped Leah’s lips. “Are your brothers married?”
    “Brock was married, but she died. James nearly got married, and the others have never been close to being married.”
     

 
    Chapter 3.
     
    Leah put her hand to her throat. She had nearly choked when Austin had mentioned that Victoria was supposed to get married to him. What a mess she’d gotten herself into. If she’d known his brother was the Marshal, she might have thought twice about her little deception. At least, she’d have a roof over her head, and be well-fed for a few days before she moved on. She might be able to stretch her stay for a week, but it would only be a matter of time before the real Victoria Hadley showed up. With free accommodation, the little money she’d brought with her would stretch a bit further.
    Leah wondered whether she should confess her deception then and there. She took a sideways look at the man who’d introduced himself as Austin. Just the look of the man told her that he was someone of whom she could grow fond. His story about his wife and child had touched her. This man would be a good father and a good husband, not like the father that she’d had.
    She bit her lip. The man she was deceiving was well-mannered and charming. She should confess her wrongdoing immediately. Maybe Victoria had missed that train, and was on the next one. She could be found out to be a liar in a few days’ time, or whenever the real Victoria showed up. She should’ve just told him that she wasn’t Victoria.
    Austin glanced at her. “You’re very quiet.”
    “Just enjoying looking at the land.”
    He smiled, and turned his gaze back to the road. “I’ll take you to my house first. Beth is there looking after Violet. Then we’ll head to my mother’s house.”
    Leah nodded, and forced a smile. She was not looking forward to dinner, and neither was she looking forward to meeting so many people at once; especially when all these people thought that she was Victoria, Austin’s soon to be wife.
    “How are your parents?” Austin asked.
    “They’re well. They send their best regards. They’re upset that they weren’t able to make it to the wedding, being so far away and all.”
    “And Stephen?”
    “Oh, Stephen’s just the same.”
    “You’ve seen him then?”
    Leah pushed out her lips. “Ah…”
    “He’s come