His Prairie Duchess

by Kit Morgan

  Scandalous fit better. And speaking of scandalous, no one had seen hide nor hair of Thackary Holmes. Last person to see him was Jefferson, right after he clobbered him over the head with the back of his gun then took Cozette up the ridge to find his step sons. Mr. Ashford hadn't seen any sign of him either. He just disappeared. Hopefully, all the trouble had disappeared with him.

  Duncan helped Cozette up onto the wagon seat. He jumped up beside her and waved at the townsfolk of Clear Creek. “Thank you all! I dare say I’m going to miss this place while I’m in London!”

  “You ain’t goin for a few months! You can’t start missin us til then!” Wilfred shouted.

  “And I’m not done giving your wives cooking lessons!” Mrs. Dunnigan added.

  “My dear Mrs. Dunnigan. If you teach our wives nothing else, we ask that you teach them one thing!” Duncan called to her.

  “What’s that?” She asked.

  “The proper use of a ladle!” Duncan shouted with a laugh.

  The entire wedding party and their guests exploded into laughter.

  The new Duke and Duchess of Stantham kissed, and then with a flick of the reins, started back to the Triple C for the wedding supper. And this time, Duncan planned on eating until he could eat no more.

  Captain Andel Berg on the other hand, planned to continue the mission assigned him nearly a year ago: Find and retrieve the Princess Madelaina Valenta at any cost, and return her to her beloved country and betrothed. The problem was, as much as Captain Berg loved his country, he hated the Princesses betrothed with everything he had. The heartless fiend had forced the assignment on him at the cost of his father's life. A life held in the balance the longer Andel failed to return with the Princess in his possesion.

  But Andel didn't know if his father was still alive, but didn't want to risk it in case he was. He would do the work required of him, no matter what.

  But the Princess Madelaina, going by the name Madeline Van Zuyen, had no idea who she was. She thought herself a simple girl of the prairie who came to settle in the tiny town of Clear Creek, and none of the townsfolk were the wiser. But Madelaina's mother, the Countess Van Zuyen, would have to know someone would catch up with them eventually and take them back to their homeland. And now that the King's youngest son had gotten himself shot, his daughter the only living heir, would have to ascend to the throne. With her betrothed at her side of course. Didn't matter she'd never met him or even heard of him before. She was his ticket to the throne and he'd stop at nothing to get her. Including killing Andel's father.

  The problem was, ever since Andel rescued her from the cruel outlaws, cradled her in his arms and carried her from the caves, he began to have second thoughts. In fact, Andel was having thoughts he hadn't known he could have! His sense of duty to his position, his country, even his father became difficult to maintain whenever he remembered how her frightened eyes filled with relief as he stepped into the dim light to rescue her.

  She was so beautiful. Her blonde hair framing her face, her blue eyes seeking his comfort. His protection. Something awakened within his heart that day and Andel hadn't been able to quell it since. No more than he could make it rain.

  He sighed, mounted his horse, and left for the wedding supper to continue to plan on how he was going to take her in order to fulfill his assignment. The question was, when to do it? And more importantly, could he?

  The End

  About the Author: Kit Morgan, aka Geralyn Beauchamp loves a good western. Her father loved watching them and they watched their fair share together over the years. If you liked this fun-filled western and would like to read a full length novel by the author, you might enjoy Time Masters Book One; The Call by Geralyn Beauchamp which can be found on amazon.com

  You can keep up to date with all the Prairie Bride Series and release dates via Kit Morgan's facebook page.

  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kit-Morgan/278159182224204?ref=hl#

  Be watching for the next installment in the Prairie Brides Book Series! Her Prairie Viking (Prairie Brides Book Four)

  Also from Kit Morgan:

  His Prairie Princess (Prairie Brides Book One)

  Her Prairie Knight (Prairie Brides Book Two)