Mrs. Jones rose to her feet, trembling with indignation. “How dare you insinuate my husband would have anything to do with those vile women?”
“Well, someone with ginger hair fathered those children.”
“You, you, dirty whore,” Mrs. Jones screamed. “You think because Luke Campton married you, that erases the past.”
“Call yourself a Christian you sanctimonious old bitch.”
Back and force they hurled insults. Jo became so incensed she didn’t care what happened. The meeting was ruined. Those who didn’t fling abuse listened to those who did.
“You better get out of here before they tear you apart.” George the barman at Glory’s appeared at her side. The urgency in his voice pierced her fury and she let him lead her away.
“Glory sent me, too busy to come herself, but she got worried about you,” he explained as he escorted her to where she had left Luke’s buggy.
“Thanks, George, I appreciate you coming. Did you see old man Jones’ face? It clashed with his hair. I thought he might have a seizure.”
They both laughed.
***
Six weeks after being shot, Luke was up and about. He must have the constitution of an ox. They sat side by side in chairs set out on the side verandah.
“Those aborigines have left,” she announced.
“For God’s sake, I warned you about going down there again.”
“I didn’t go down there, one of the men told me. Some church people came and took them away to a mission.”
“They’ll be better off there than hanging around town, getting exploited. I might go for a ride later on and see how things are going.”
“Are you out of your mind? You nearly died. The doctor said you have to rest.”
“To hell with what he said, I'm all right except for feeling a bit on the weak side.”
“You aren't going anywhere.” She leapt off her chair and came up to him. “You hear me.”
“I heard.” He pulled her on to his lap. “I like it when you get mad. We’ll be consummating our marriage tonight, Jo.”
“You're not strong enough. You have to take care of yourself.”
“Rubbish. I want you, and I’m going to have you.” He ran the flat of his hand across her stomach. “Already our child is thickening your waistline. It excites me.”
She slipped her arms around his neck. “Luke, are we really married?”
“Yes, the parson said it was legal, and tonight I'll show you exactly how married we really are,” he promised.
“Oh?” Heat suffused her body at the thought of sharing a bed with Luke, tasting his fiery passion.
“I asked the parson when he came out to say prayers over me about the legality of our marriage.” He grinned. “I think he expected to find me dead.”
“Don't joke about it. I prayed you wouldn't die and my prayers were answered.” She shuddered on remembering the happenings of that dreadful day. Luke was a strong, determined man, but she would believe to her dying day that divine intervention, combined with the doctor's skill, had saved him.
“I love you, Jo,” Luke declared in a strong, clear voice.
Emotional tears filled her eyes. She couldn’t believe how happy it made her feel. He had never uttered those words before, even though she had craved to hear them. When she had told him over the last few weeks how much she loved him, he had never reciprocated until now.
“We're going to create a dynasty here on Kangaroo Gully, my love,” he said.
She gazed into her husband's pale, but still ruggedly handsome, face. Their union would never be a gentle one, they were both too volatile. But Luke Campton was the only man on earth she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.
The End
About the Author
Margaret Tanner is a multi-published Australian author. She loves delving into the pages of history as she carries out research for her historical romance novels, and prides herself on being historically accurate. No book is too old or tattered for her to trawl through, no museum too dusty, or cemetery too overgrown. Many of her novels have been inspired by true events, with one being written around the hardships and triumphs of her pioneering ancestors in frontier Australia.
As part of her research she has visited the World War 1 battlefields in France and Belgium, a truly poignant experience.
Margaret is a member of the Melbourne Romance Writers Group (MRWG). She won the 2007 and 2009 Author of the Year at AussieAuthors.com. Her novel Frontier Wife won the Best Historical Romance Novel at the 2010 Readers Favorite Award, and another novel, Wild Oats was a 2011 Finalist in the EPIC awards. With a title of Ruthless Seduction, Fiery Possession was short listed in the 2012 Find An Aussie Star Unpublished Manuscript Award from ChocLit Publishers, U.K.
Margaret is married with three grown up sons, and two gorgeous little granddaughters.
Outside of her family and friends, writing is her passion.
Website: http://www.margarettanner.com/
Also by Margaret Tanner from Books We Love
Daring Masquerade
Lauren’s Dilemma
Savage Possession
Make Love Not War
Holly And The Millionaire
A Mortal Sin
Note from the Publisher
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
About the Author
Also by Margaret Tanner from Books We Love
Fiery Possession Page 29