An Unexpected Husband (The Colorado Brides Series) by Carré White Read Free Book Online

long. He came in once to wash his hands and face and kiss Rosalind, holding her up for examination.
    “You seem very well taken care of, my darling.” His smile was directed at his daughter, who warbled contentedly. Then he glanced at me. “I chose your nanny wisely, and she seems reasonably sober today.” His approval left me with a sense of elation, and even his teasing was charming. He’d left shortly after.
    Before suppertime, Megan bustled into the room. “Allette says the water’s hot now. They’ll bring a tub in a minute.”
    I was on the sofa with Rosalind in my lap. She had been watching me knit, following the movement of my fingers, as I worked the yarn back and forth. “Oh, that’s wonderful.”
    “There’s a privacy screen too. Where do you want the tub?”
    My gaze swept the room. “I suppose before the fireplace. It’s the warmest place in the room.”
    “You plan on gettin’ in too?”
    “That was the idea. Rosalind can’t sit in it by herself. She’ll drown.”
    “Well, you shouldn’t have to wait long.”
    “Thank you, Megan.”
    It was a luxury to have a real bath, and, after the metal tub had been brought in and the fire lit, servants arrived with bucket after bucket of hot water. I had already positioned the screen before it. Then I brought out two towels and a robe for myself. After the last bucket had been deposited, the room emptied, and I was able to undress quickly, while Rosalind lay on a blanket. When I was ready, I took her in my arms and brought her into the water with me, although it was nearly too hot.
    “There we are. Oh, goodness, this is nice.”
    “Are you enjoying yourself in there?” asked Megan.
    “I am.”
    “Did you bring soap?”
    “Ouf! No. Can you get it for me?”
    “Certainly.” She had left the room, returning a moment later. “You sure are settling in quite nicely, if I don’t say so myself.” She handed the soap to me.
    “Well, Rosalind needed a bath.”
    “Bosh! You’re taking full advantage of Mr. Carlyle’s hospitality and all the servants of the Broadwell House.”
    “You can have a bath too. Allette can heat up more water.”
    “Not tonight.” Her hands were on her ample hips. “You washin’ your hair?”
    “It’s impossible with Rosalind.” The baby was before me, while I held her securely. She splashed, enjoying the feel of the water.
    “When you’re done, I can take her and use the bucket for your hair.”
    “Would you?”
    “Yes, princess. I will.”
    “Oh, dear. I’ve made the worst sort of impression on everyone.”
    “Well, most of us aren’t lucky enough to grow up pampered and such. Give me a holler when you’re ready to have your hair washed.”
    “Thank you, Megan.”
    “Now then,” I glanced at Rosalind, who slammed her fist into the water, “let’s wash you up and get you clean.” I ran the soap over her skin, although I used it sparingly, since lye was rather abrasive. Then I washed her hair with a washcloth. She continued to make little noises, as she kicked her legs and splashed. “You’d make a good fish.” I lifted her marginally, letting her feet dandle in the water. She began to squeal, kicking and squirming happily.
    “I presume it’s you behind that screen, isn’t it, Miss Hampton?” asked a male voice I recognized instantly.
    I’d known there was a possibility of being discovered by Mr. Carlyle, and I had prepared for this. “Yes, sir.”
    “I take it you’re not alone?”
    “No, Rosalind’s with me.”
    “I see. I was going to have supper sent up. Should I delay?”
    “Yes, please. We had a late lunch.”
    “Very well.”
    “Thank you, sir.”
    He failed to respond, and I assumed he had left the room to give us privacy. When Rosalind began to prune and the water was on the edge of being cool, I called for Megan. She took the baby and wrapped her in a blanket by the tub. Then she poured water over my head. I used the soap to lather my hair, rinsing with the same water. The