Absently recalling Delmon invited them for dinner, Ilsa set down her scissors, shook out the dress she’d spent the day finishing, and showed it to her aunt.
“I finished Mrs. Longcamp’s dress. Isn’t it lovely?” Ilsa admired the pale green creation that made her think of sea foam. Not that she’d ever seen sea foam, but what she imagined it would look like.
“Yes, yes, she’ll be thrilled.” Louisa didn’t even look her direction as she sorted through Ilsa’s dresses and chose an orchid pink gown trimmed in bright pink lace.
Ilsa hated it for the simple fact that Delmon selected the color and Louisa made it.
“Change into that,” Louisa ordered, hanging the dress on a hook and walking to the door. “I’ll send Mary in to do your hair. You have seven minutes before you’ll force me to make you sorry for not following my orders.”
Ilsa watched her aunt leave the room with her face a picture of calm acceptance. The second the door shut and locked, though, she stamped her foot and tossed a pillow across the room.
The helpless, worthless feeling she experienced left her angry and frustrated.
Viciously yanking on the ugly gown, she smoothed down the gaudy pink lace around the collar as Mary arrived. The maid styled her straight blond hair into an elegant style that rested on top of her head.
“Thank you, Mary.” Ilsa smiled at the servant who tried to be a friend to her since she moved in with her aunt several years ago. Louisa discouraged their friendship, going so far as to threaten to fire Mary if it continued.
“You’re most welcome, Miss Thorsen.” Mary bowed and went out the door.
Quickly gathering a wrap, her gloves, and reticule, Ilsa took one last look in the mirror and forced a smile as her aunt opened the door and motioned her forward. “Hurry up. Delmon’s carriage is waiting.”
“Yes, Aunt Louisa,” Ilsa said, wanting to jump in the carriage and keep going until she found herself at Aundy’s ranch in Oregon.
Instead, she carried herself regally, following her aunt down the steps and into the carriage that would take them to Delmon’s ostentatious home he shared with his father.
Louisa never failed to be impressed by the overdone décor the Bertrand family preferred.
Ilsa never failed to feel overwhelmed by the dark house stuffed with expensive works of art, uncomfortable furnishings, and her fiancé.
Welcomed by Delmon at the door, he kissed both their cheeks. While pressing his thin lips to Ilsa’s, his hand wandered improperly down her spine and lightly tapped her backside.
Deftly moving away from him, Ilsa pointed out a new painting he acquired since her last visit two weeks prior. He and Louisa launched into a lengthy conversation about the finer points of Impressionism and the relatively new style of art.
“Will your father join us this evening?” Louisa asked as they finally took their seats in the dining room.
“No, he had another engagement, but sends his regards.” Delmon spoke to Louisa but kept his lecherous gaze fastened on Ilsa.
“Perhaps he’ll be able to join us Sunday after church. We have the loveliest meal planned.” Louisa smiled imploringly at Delmon. “You’ll be there, of course, won’t you, dear?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Delmon settled his attention on Ilsa. Her skin crawled as she thought about marrying the despicable man in just two weeks time.
After dinner, Louisa excused herself to give them a few minutes alone in the parlor. Ilsa wanted to scream when Delmon began chasing her around the room. From experience, she knew if he caught her, he’d either touch her inappropriately or press one of his sloppy kisses to her lips.
“Stop it, Delmon. This instant!” Ilsa maneuvered a high-backed chair between them, desperate to escape not only his presence, but also the entire situation.
“I love it when you play hard-to-get, my little pet,” Delmon said, smoothing down the sides of his thin black mustache.
Rather than give him the manly appearance he sought, the mustache and tiny patch of hair beneath his bottom lip looked like some foreign strain of dark, fuzzy mold infected his face. The thought of it brushing her own skin made her quiver in revulsion.
Mistakenly reading her reaction, Delmon’s eyes gleamed with lascivious intent. “You shiver in anticipation of my kisses.” He made a grab for her as she moved from behind the chair to the sofa. A few more steps and she’d reach the door, although she knew she couldn’t outrun the annoying little man.
While Ilsa stood barely five-feet tall, Delmon was only a few inches taller. No wonder he was still single. Between his unacceptable behavior, his lack of a personality, and his slight, short frame, she could easily see why he’d managed to stay unmarried for more than thirty years.
Well past her nineteenth birthday, Ilsa was in no rush to wed, especially to someone she couldn’t stand.
Delmon lunged at her, falling on top of her on the sofa. A scream began working its way up her throat. Before it escaped, Louisa returned to the room and suggested it was time for them to retire home for the evening. The woman completely ignored the fact that Delmon had Ilsa pinned beneath him while he pressed unpardonably close against her.
After making a hasty departure, Ilsa settled her skirts around her in the carriage. She jumped in surprise when Louisa’s hand connected with her cheek in a resounding slap. Glancing up in shock, the hate she read in her aunt’s eyes left her reeling.
“You ungrateful strumpet! Two more weeks and Delmon can do whatever he wishes with you, but until then you will keep him at bay. Do you understand?”
“But I didn’t do anything. I was…”
“Shut your foul little mouth.” Louisa hit her leg with her reticule before staring out into the night.
Ilsa kept her back straight and chin up as she returned to her room, determined to fight back the tears of anger, frustration, and fear threatening to overtake her. The turn of the key in the lock behind her echoed with harsh finality, reminding Ilsa of her impending sentence to a life of misery if she would truly be forced to marry Delmon. Rushing to her bed, she collapsed on the soft covers, soaking the pillow with her tears…
Find Ilsa and more Shanna Hatfield books on Amazon.
Marnie (Pendleton Petticoats, Book 4) - Condemned to a future of shame and regret, Marnie Jones battles herself to keep going one day at a time. Divested of hope, she’s all but given up when a handsome stranger arrives in town. Desperate for the marshal to ride on out of Pendleton, Marnie fears he’ll rekindle the embers of her broken dreams into a roaring flame before he leaves.
Married to his career, US Marshal Lars Thorsen avoids relationships of any kind. Spending his days transporting prisoners, guarding political figures, and chasing down fugitives, he doesn’t have room in his life for feelings or emotions. Especially not the tender, protective feelings stirred by the woman who wants him or the two orphans who need him.
Crumpets and Cowpies (Baker City Brides, Book 1) - Rancher Thane Jordan reluctantly travels to England to settle his brother’s estate only to find he’s inherited much more than he could possibly have imagined.
Lady Jemma Bryan has no desire to spend a single minute in Thane Jordan’s insufferable presence much less live under the same roof with the handsome, arrogant American. Forced to choose between poverty or marriage to the man, she finds herself traveling across an ocean and America to reach his ranch in Oregon.
Thimbles and Thistles (Baker City Brides, Book 2) - Maggie Dalton has no need for a man in her life. Widowed more than ten years, she’s built a successful business and managed quite well on her own in the bustling town of Baker City, Oregon.
Aggravated by her inability to block thoughts of the handsome lumber mill owner from her mind, she renews her determination to resist his attempts at friendship.
Full of Scottish charm and mischief, Ian MacGregor could claim any single woman in Baker City as his own, except the enchanting dress shop owner who continues to ignore him. Not one to give up on what he wants, Ian
vows to win Maggie’s heart or leave the town he’s come to love.
The Women of Tenacity Series
Welcome to Tenacity!
Tenacious, sassy women tangle with the wild, rugged men who love them in this contemporary western romance series.
The paperback version offers a short story introduction, A Prelude, followed by the three full-length novels set in the fictional town of Tenacity, Oregon.
Book 1 – Heart of Clay
Book 2 – Country Boy vs. City Girl
Book 3 – Not His Type
Grass Valley Cowboys Series
Meet the Thompson family of the Triple T Ranch in Grass Valley, Oregon.
Three handsome brothers, their rowdy friends, and the women who fall for them are at the heart of this contemporary western romance series.
Book 1 – The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan
Book 2 – The Cowboy’s Spring Romance
Book 3 – The Cowboy’s Summer Love
Book 4 – The Cowboy’s Autumn Fall
Book 5 – The Cowboy’s New Heart
Learnin’ The Ropes - Mechanic Ty Lewis is out of options. Homeless and desperate to find work, he accepts a job in the tiny community of Riley, Oregon. Resolved to embrace a new adventure with an elusive boss, he leaves behind everything he’s ever known in Portland to live in the middle of nowhere.
Lexi Ryan, known to her ranch hands and neighbors as Lex Jr., abandons her corporate career to keep the Rockin’ R Ranch running smoothly after the untimely death of her father. It doesn’t take long to discover her father did many crazy things during the last few months before he died, like hiding half a million dollars that Lexi can’t find.
Ty and Lexi are both in for a few surprises as he arrives at the ranch and begins learnin’ the ropes.
Love at the 20-Yard Line - Haven Haggarty is woefully inept when it comes to men and matters of the heart. Successful in her job as an image consultant with an up-and-coming company, she wishes she could enjoy as much triumph in her dating efforts. When she falls hard for a handsome wide receiver, Haven realizes she needs to tackle her fears or miss the opportunity to experience once-in-a-lifetime love.
Brody Jackson lives and breathes football. As a wide receiver for a popular arena team, he’s determined to make it back to the NFL. Cocky and confident, he doesn’t have the time or energy to be bothered with a serious relationship until he’s blindsided by a sweet, naive girl who breaks through his defenses. He has to decide if he’ll let go of his dreams or fumble his chance to win Haven’s heart.
The QR Code Killer - Murder. Mayhem. Suspense. Romance.
Zeus is a crazed killer who uses QR Codes to taunt the cop hot on his trail.
Mad Dog Weber, a tough-as-nails member of the Seattle police force, is willing to do whatever it takes to bring Zeus down. Despite her best intentions, Maddie (Mad Dog) falls in love with her dad's hired hand, putting them both in danger.
Erik Moore is running from his past and trying to avoid the future when he finds himself falling in love with his employer’s daughter. Unknowingly, he puts himself right in the path of the QR Code Killer as he struggles to keep Maddie safe.
From the waterfront of Seattle to the rolling hills of wheat and vineyards of the Walla Walla Valley, suspense and romance fly around every twist and turn.
The Coffee Girl - Former barista Brenna Smith dreams of opening a bistro where she can bake her specialty pastries and serve delicious coffee. While she envisions a rich life full of savory moments, she instead lives at home with her parents and commutes to work for a boss who doesn’t know beans about his job. If it wasn’t for the hunky construction guy she sees each morning at the coffee shop, her bland existence would be unbearable.
Smart, charming, and good-looking, Brock McCrae is a man comfortable in his own skin. When he takes over ownership of a successful construction company, he decides to move to the small town where his business is located and immerse himself in the community. Brock doesn’t count on his new client being the cute and quirky woman he knows only as the Coffee Girl from his daily stop for java.
The Christmas Cowboy (Rodeo Romance, Book 1)- Flying from city to city in her job as a busy corporate trainer for a successful direct sales company, Kenzie Beckett doesn’t have time for a man. And most certainly not for the handsome cowboy she keeps running into at the airport. Burned twice, she doesn’t trust anyone wearing boots and Wranglers, especially someone as charming and handsome as Tate Morgan.
Among the top saddle bronc riders in the rodeo circuit, easy-going Tate Morgan can handle the toughest horse out there, but trying to handle the beautiful Kenzie Beckett is a completely different story. As the holiday season approaches, this Christmas Cowboy is going to need more than a little mistletoe to win her heart.
Wrestlin’ Christmas (Rodeo Romance, Book 2) - Sidelined with a major injury, steer wrestler Cort McGraw struggles to come to terms with the end of his career. Shanghaied by his sister and best friend, he finds himself on a run-down ranch with a worrisome, albeit gorgeous widow, and her silent, solemn son.
Five minutes after Cort McGraw lands on her doorstep, K.C. Peters fights to keep a promise she made to herself to stay away from single, eligible men. When her neighbor said he knew just the person to help work her ranch for the winter, she never expected the handsome, brawny former rodeo star to fill the position.
Ready to send him packing, her little boy has other plans.
The Christmas Bargain (Hardman Holidays, Book 1) - As owner and manager of the Hardman bank, Luke Granger is a man of responsibility and integrity in the small 1890s Eastern Oregon town. Calling in a long overdue loan, Luke finds himself reluctantly accepting a bargain in lieu of payment from the shiftless farmer who barters his daughter to settle his debt.
Philamena Booth is both mortified and relieved when her father sends her off with the banker as payment of his debt. Held captive on the farm by her father since the death of her mother more than a decade earlier, Philamena is grateful to leave. If only it had been someone other than the handsome and charismatic Luke Granger riding in to rescue her. Ready to hold up her end of the bargain as Luke’s cook and housekeeper, Philamena is prepared for the hard work ahead. What she isn’t prepared for is being forced to marry Luke as part of this crazy Christmas bargain.
The Christmas Token (Hardman Holidays, Book 2) - Desperate to escape an unwelcome suitor, Ginny Granger flees to her brother’s home in Eastern Oregon for the holiday season. Returning to the community where she spent her childhood years, she plans to relax and enjoy a peaceful visit. Not expecting to encounter the boy she once loved, her exile is proving to be anything but restful.
A talented carpenter, Blake Stratton enjoys a simple existence in the small western town of Hardman. With honest work and good friends, his life is nearly perfect, at least until the day Ginny Granger arrives, setting him on his ear and turning his world upside down. Infuriated by her meddling presence, he’s further exasperated to discover she kept a Christmas token he gave her along with his heart the day she left town many years ago.
The Christmas Calamity ( Hardman Holidays, Book 3) - Dependable and solid, Arlan Guthry relishes his orderly life as a banker’s assistant in the small town of Hardman, Oregon. He has good friends, a great job, and the possibility of marriage to the town’s schoolteacher.
His uncluttered world tilts off kilter when the beautiful and enigmatic prestidigitator Alexandra Janowski arrives in town, spinning magic and trouble in her wake as the holiday season approaches.
Fifty Dates with Captain Cavedweller - When a hopeless romantic with a bit of a sarcastic attitude falls in love with an introvert who dreams of living in a man cave, they make plans for the future.
Although they seek out a happily ever after, life seems to get in the way.
One fateful day, they discover they’ve gone from perpetual honeymooners to a boring, predictable couple. Author Shanna Hatfield and her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller, set out on a yearlong advent
ure to add a little zing to their relationship.
This G-rated journey through fifty of their dates provides an insightful, humorous look at the effort they made to infuse their marriage with laughter, love, and gratitude while reconnecting on a new, heartfelt level.
Farm Girl - What happens when a farmer who’s been wishing for a boy ends up with a girlie-girl?
Come along on the humorous and sometimes agonizing adventures from a childhood spent on a farm in the Eastern Oregon desert where one family raised hay, wheat, cattle and a farm girl.
Savvy Entertaining Series
Discover seasonal ideas for decorating, entertaining, party themes, home décor, recipes and more from Savvy Entertaining’s blogger!
Books by Shanna Hatfield
FICTION
HISTORICAL
Baker City Brides
Crumpets and Cowpies
Thimbles and Thistles
Pendleton Petticoats
Aundy
Caterina
Ilsa
Marnie
Lacy
Hardman Holidays
The Christmas Bargain
The Christmas Token
The Christmas Calamity
CONTEMPORARY
Love at the 20-Yard Line
The Coffee Girl
Learnin’ the Ropes
Caterina: A Sweet Western Historical Romance Pendleton Petyticoats Book 2 Page 30