“So if I ask him how he likes a new dress, he won’t necessarily flatter me?” she asked with a shy smile.
“No, I definitely would not anticipate much flattering from your new husband—even if he finds your dress attractive.” William chuckled. He opened his car door and got out, then helped Mary Ellen from the car.
“But I promise to shower flattery on you when I come to visit—and I am often here.”
“Oh my, but what will my husband think?” Mary Ellen teased, too naïve to realize she was flirting with her fiancé’s attractive business partner.
“Then we won’t tell him, it will be our secret.” William laughed, fully aware that he was flirting with the pretty, young and engaged Miss Mary Ellen Browning.
Chapter Four
“How is your fish?” Randall asked, glancing up from his plate.
“It’s very good, thank you.” Mary Ellen answered, feeling both awkward and shy.
Aunt Rachel had departed immediately after the wedding ceremony—which took place within thirty minutes of their arrival. The young bride had only enough time to be seen to her new bedchambers where she was allowed to freshen up before hurriedly returning downstairs to exchange vows with Randall Coulson. The Justice of the Peace departed immediately after performing the service, with William and Rachel saying their goodbyes minutes later.
Mary Ellen understood William was taking her aunt back to the station so Rachel could catch the next train back to Virginia. While she regretted her aunt’s hasty departure, she especially hated to see William Hunter leave, as she felt less anxious in his presence. He made her feel safe.
The cook prepared a wedding supper for the couple, which was served in the formal dining room. Instead of sitting on the opposing ends of the long table, as the host and hostess might do for a dinner party, the newlyweds sat on one end of the table, facing each other. The width, instead of the length, of the table separated the couple.
Mary Ellen noticed her new husband did not seem a bit nervous, yet she reminded herself she had more than enough nervousness for the two of them.
“I assume you found your room acceptable?”
“Yes, it’s very lovely, thank you.” Mary Ellen reached for her glass of wine and took a sip. She had never had wine before, yet chose not to point that out to her new husband.
“My room is down the hall from yours but I enjoy my privacy, so I would prefer any marital visits take place in your room. I’m a very busy man and need a good night’s sleep, therefore I expect you not to disturb me when I’m in my room.”
Does this mean we don’t sleep together? Mary Ellen asked herself, yet was too nervous to voice the question. Her parents shared a bed, and she assumed most couples did. Of course, the people she knew didn’t have the luxury of having extra rooms—or extra beds.
“Certainly,” Mary Ellen responded, somewhat confused.
“I think it best if you spend the next few weeks getting acclimated to your new role as my wife. I understand this was all very sudden for you, and considering your age, I think it best if we ease into this arrangement.”
Does this mean he will not come to my bed tonight? Oh, please mean that!
“Mrs. Parker has been running this household for a number of years now, and I see no reason to trouble you with its management, since it’s already in capable hands. Perhaps in a month or so, when you settle in, you might make some menu suggestions. But for now, I think it best for everyone if you simply observe.”
“Whatever you say, Mr. Coulson.” Mary Ellen took another sip of wine.
“While there is something charming about a wife calling her husband by his surname, I suppose it would be best if you call me Randall.”
Mary Ellen nodded and flashed him a weak smile, then took another bite of her fish. She wondered exactly what was expected of her. They ate in silence for the remainder of the meal.
“I’m feeling quite positive about this arrangement, Mary Ellen.” Randall announced as he finished his last bite of food and dabbed the corners of his mouth with a linen napkin.
“I’m pleased to see you aren’t a chatty type. Had you felt the need to make annoying small talk throughout the meal, I’m afraid I would choose to dine alone in the future. A wife capable of holding her tongue—giving her husband peace—is a very desirable trait. Yes, I am quite pleased with my choice.”
He tossed the napkin on the table and stretched, his eyes focused on his nervous bride.
“Are you going to cry?”
“Excuse me?”
“When I come to your bed tonight, will you cry? Did your mother prepare you for what is expected of you?”
“I…I thought you wanted to wait?” Her queasiness returned.
Randall let out a laugh and then said, “No dear, I was referring to managing the household. Personally I would like a son by the year’s end, and a baby will keep you occupied.”
Mary Ellen did not know what to say, so she just sat there, staring blankly at her husband.
“I’ve a big day tomorrow, so I don’t imagine it will take long. I’ll come to your room in let’s say,” he stood up, took out his pocket watch and looked at it briefly, “one hour. It would probably be easier if you prepare yourself for me and wait in your bed. If you wish to turn the lights off, that’s fine with me. I imagine it will make it easier for you, especially the first time.”
Mary Ellen said nothing, but continued to stare. Randall moved away from the table and looked down at his frightened bride.
“Do you understand, Mary Ellen?” Randall asked in a stern tone.
“Yes, sir. I’ll be ready in one hour.”
“Good girl.”
Read the rest of Anna J. McIntyre’s
Coulson’s Wife
Available at Amazon
THE COULSON SERIES
Find Anna J. McIntyre at Amazon
SENSUAL ROMANCE SERIES
After Sundown
Women don’t come to After Sundown for the beer – they come to get laid. When wealthy Cole Taylor walks into the bar that night, it’s for a drink. He gave up one-night stands in his wild youth, but that changes when he sees her. She is too tempting to pass up, and by the looks from the other men at the bar, he needs to move quick to claim the prize.
Kit Landon - a struggling young widow, raising her daughter alone - has her own reasons for being at After Sundown. And it has nothing to do with illicit sex. But things can escalate a little too fast after nervously downing several beers on an empty stomach.
The conservative young widow finds herself in an extremely compromising situation and barely manages to escape, leaving behind a furious Cole Taylor.
Kit never wants to see the man again, but she is in for a big surprise.
After Sundown at Amazon
Sugar Rush
When Lexi Beaumont refuses to marry the man of her grandfather’s choosing she is banished from her home and stripped of all her belongings. Being abandoned by the manipulative and selfish man who raised her is not especially traumatic – she’s been looking for a way to leave her grandfather’s home and was grateful for the college education he provided.
What she wasn’t prepared for was her grandfather’s attempt to sabotage her efforts at finding a job, nor did she realize he’d hired a man to spy on her.
Needing to regroup, Lexi and her best friend flee to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, to stay in her friend’s vacation home. There she discovers a sweet path to financial security, with the help of the supportive and handsome neighbor, who is also new to Havasu. What she doesn’t know, he’s been hired by her grandfather.
Sugar Rush at Amazon
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While Snowbound (Sensual Romance Series) Page 16