Perfectly Matched (The Blue Willow Brides Book #3): A Novel Read Free

her fingers through the fringe of a tapestry pillow. “Do you think you could show me to our room? I’d like to change out of my gown.” She gave him a frank gaze with those enormous blue eyes.
    “It can wait a moment or two. There’s something I want to give you,” he said, removing his suit coat and draping it neatly across the back of a chair.
    ———
    Anna’s heart began to thump against her tight corset. “I can’t wait. What is it?” Oh, he is so romantic. I love surprises.
    He gestured for her to have a seat in the chair. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He walked quickly down the hallway to his adjoining shop. She listened until his footfalls became distant. Perhaps he’d made a special piece of jewelry for her as a wedding gift. She twisted the gold band on her left finger. Simplicity was just fine with her. Now, with her sister Greta . . . well, that would be a different story, she thought with a smile. Anna leaned back against the chair and waited for her surprise, enjoying the light scent of beeswax and lemon that hung in the air from a recent cleaning.
    He hurried back with a brown envelope and took a seat opposite her. Just like a man not to take time to wrap his gift , she thought, nearly giggling. She sat with her hands inher lap and waited patiently, though she wanted to snatch the envelope from his hands. Patience was not a particular virtue of hers. She flashed him her sweetest smile, and his lips lifted at the corners, finally showing his nice, even teeth, though his steel-gray eyes looked concerned. He was probably afraid that she wouldn’t like his wedding gift, but she had few wants when it came to material things. It was the fact that he thought of something for her that tickled her.
    Edward gave a nervous cough before he opened the envelope now balancing across his knees.
    “Well, what is it, Edward?”
    “First, I want you to know that I’d like our marriage to start off in the best possible way. We’ve only exchanged a few letters, and there will be much for both of us to learn. So I’ve devised a system that will outline exactly what’s to be expected of each of us.” He slipped out a sheet of paper and handed it to her, then kept a second one for himself.
    Anna stared down at a list neatly typed on the paper. As the heat rose up her neck, she wasn’t sure if she should laugh or cry. She felt foolish for thinking he’d had some special gift for her. The list read:
    Your Wifely Duties
    You will serve breakfast at 7:00 a.m. sharp.
    We will have lunch at 1:00 p.m. when I break from my work.
    Supper will be at 7:00 p.m.
    Monday—Do the marketing and plan the meals.
    Tuesday—Do the wash. If there is free time in the afternoon, you may rest before supper.
    Wednesday—Dust and clean the floors and make sure the rugs are beaten.
    Thursday—Do household expenses and other correspondence.
    Friday—Do mending or ironing. This is when I have my literary society meeting, so you will have those evenings free.
    Saturday—Go shopping, take free time for yourself, or volunteer at church.
    Sunday—Attend church at 11:00 and have lunch with Ella.
    You’ll need to keep the lamps clean and windows washed and weed the garden.
    In cold weather, keep the fire going in the hearth and gather the ashes.
    Fresh flowers, when available from the garden, should be placed throughout the house.
    The consummation of our marriage will take place after ten days to give you time to adjust.
    Anna waved the piece of paper in the air. “Ack! You must be joking, Edward! This is an impossible list! I could never accomplish all of this on my own!” Her wedding gown was becoming sticky, and her corset was threatening to cut off her air supply. This was not what she thought being a bride was all about. Not at all. “What do you mean about . . . consummation after ten days?” Anna felt her chest expand and did her best to control her indignation. He’d made all the decisions down to the last detail,