Beneath her gown she wore a scarlet corset edged in the most delicate lace she’d ever seen. It was a scandalous bit of lingerie designed by Gerritt. He’d told her he intended to patent a design for a corset that enhanced a woman’s figure but was also easy to remove.
She had no doubt he’d demonstrate the principles of his design tonight after their wedding dinner was done and they bid their guests good evening. The glow of desire warmed her cheeks as she considered how much she was looking forward to her wedding night.
She fingered the amber and gold necklace Gerritt had presented to her a few days ago. It matched her wedding ring and a pair of earbobs now framing her face.
Her fiancé had been attentive, charming and extravagant. What he had not been was in her bed since they’d returned in the hot air balloon after her escape from Alfred Heisman.
At first, Gerritt insisted his shoulder bothered him and she needed time to overcome the traumatic experience other kidnapping. Then he’d come up with a litany of excuses. The dressmaker was in the house fitting her trousseau, there were so many plans to make, he had to travel to supervise the camp at the stamp mill up at Silver Creek, etcetera, etcetera.
If she hadn’t observed otherwise, she would have thought the man was tired of her. But his kisses were just as sweet, his caresses just as passionate and he still set her blood on fire with his touch, his murmured words of love and his constant attention.
After quite a bit of pestering on her part, he admitted that he wished to honor and respect her by refraining from making love until their wedding night. She was touched by his tribute to her, even if she was also frustrated by his vow to stay out of her bed until they were married.
There was a knock on her door. She opened it to find Alma dressed in a stylish blue and white striped gown with a silk bonnet of dark blue on her head. Prudence had never seen the woman look so attractive and realized that despite hair that had silvered throughout, the woman wasn’t as old as she’d always assumed.
“Look at you,” Alma exclaimed. “Why, if all the men in town ain’t just bustin’ jealous of the professor now, they’re gonna be when they catch sight of his beautiful bride.”
Prudence grinned. “Maybe I’ll need to reconsider and see if I get any better offers today.”
Alma laughed. “You better not, or mebee I’ll step in and marry the professor in your place. I just seen him and with all that spit and polish and trouble he’s gone to today, he’s lookin’ mighty good.”
Prudence didn’t doubt it. Gerritt was always handsome to her, whether in his frock coat, vest and white shirt, or with rolled up sleeves, oil on his collar and hands grimy from messing with an invention.
Gerritt in all of his variations was handsome, smoothly muscled and within the hour, all hers. She turned to grab a pair of gloves dyed to match her dress and spun once more before the looking glass.
“I’ve never thought I was capable of looking beautiful, but I’ll suspend that judgment for today. This color, the lace and the beading, even the flowers make me feel like the loveliest bride.”
She shot a sheepish look in Alma’s direction. “I hope I don’t sound too proud a peacock. I’m just happy to realize my groom won’t outshine me by too much.”
Alma’s eyes softened. “Honey, you’re plumb gorgeous. And even if those looking at you today didn’t think so, that man of yours believes you are the prettiest thing he’s ever seen. And take my word for it, when the man you love sees you with that kinda lens, it don’t matter how you feel ‘bout yourself.”
Prudence paused to consider Alma’s words. “You’re a very smart woman, Alma. Where does all that wisdom come from?”
“Livin’ hard, makin’ do and never givin’ up. Now let’s get you downstairs before that Circuit Rider decides he’s spent enough time in Jubilee and heads out to find a town filled with more sinners in need of redemption.”
Prudence paused at the top of the steps to glance at the crowd of faces gazing up at her. She’d never have guessed when she embarked on the journey from upstate New York that her destiny, her future and a true love would be waiting in Montana territory for her.
She’d yearned for the chance at a better life, and she’d found much, much more. She’d found true and loyal friends. She’d found people who cared about her. And she’d found a man who promised to love, cherish and care for her for the rest of their lives together.
She walked down the stairs, to the man she loved, to the man who loved her. As she walked Prudence swore that every night of her life, she was going to count her blessings and thank her lucky stars for this new beginning.
Because from now on, every day of her life would be starting fresh and beginning new. She vowed that until her dying day, she’d be an adventurous woman, because she understood that once you took a chance on love, all other problems were minor challenges that could be overcome. And she’d found a man who would face those challenges with her for the rest of her days.
The End
About the Author
Sibelle Stone (Deborah Schneider)
Sibelle Stone is the pseudonym for award winning historical romance author Deborah Schneider. Sibelle writes sexy steampunk and paranormal stories, filled with magic, witches, mad scientists, dirigibles, automatons, and creatures that would scare the panties off Deborah. In her spare time Sibelle enjoys dressing up in Victorian ensembles, modding play guns into something that looks a bit more sinister and wearing hats, (nice ones with no dead birds on them).
A lifelong love of American history led Deborah Schneider from teaching high school to writing novels. Her first book, Beneath A Silver Moon won the Molly award for “Most Unsinkable Heroine” from the Heart of Denver chapter of RWA and was later published by Dorchester Publishing as a finalist in the New Historical Voice Contest. Her second published book, Promise Me, won the EPIC Award for Best Western Romance. Deborah is employed by one of the busiest library systems in the U.S. She’s received the “Open Book Award” from Pacific Northwest Writers and has been named “Librarian of the Year” by Romance Writers of America.
Look for other books by Sibelle Stone
Whistle Down the Wind
Escaping from the persecution of the European witch hunts, a powerful witch with the ability to control the wind must find a way to travel to the New World to save her sisters. She joins forces with a handsome Cavalier on a mission to save the King of England and the colony of Virginia. But a dangerous stranger hunts them both. Is magic part of their destiny or a path to destruction?
Book One: Mystic Moon series.
Visit Sibelle Stone’s Website at: www.sibellestone.com
Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter
Visit Deborah Schneider’s Website at: http://debschneider.com/
Smashwords
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Watch for Book Two in the “Brides of Jubilee” series. Coming in Fall 2014
Prudence and the Professor Page 22