Clay by Ana Leigh Read Free Book Online

family has a plantation and there is plenty of room.”
    She looked at him, appalled. “My husband was killed during the war. I hate the South and all that you Rebels represent. I could never live among you.”
    “Then why did you marry my brother, Rebecca?” Garth asked. “Clay and you are obviously not in love. You’re an attractive woman; I’m sure you could have found a husband who shared your sentiments about the war. There’s plenty of Bluecoats heading west, too.”
    She sighed deeply and lowered her gaze. “I needed a husband before that wagon train pulled out. Single women aren’t allowed, unless accompanied by a male member of her family.”
    “So why me?” Clay demanded. “You just said you hate Southerners.”
    She raised her eyes and glared at him. “It certainly wasn’t due to your charm. If you want to know the truth, for a time I did consider that perverted little desk clerk.”
    Garth chuckled. “We saw how that ended.”
    “When I saw that you and Garth were the cleanest looking of the—”
    “You chose me because I looked clean!” Clay threw up his hands in frustration.
    “It’s not necessary to shout, Clayton,” she said.
    “So you admit you planned it all! The seduction. The marriage.”
    “I said that I’m not proud of what I did.”
    “Hear that, Garth? She’s not proud of being lowdown and conniving. You’re breaking my heart, sweetheart.” In his frustration Clay slammed his fist into the wall.
    “Cool down, Clay,” Garth said. “Let her finish. Whatever she’s done, anger won’t solve this.”
    “ Et tu, Brother Garth? Maybe if it happened to you, you’d sing a different tune.” Clay turned his wrath on Rebecca again. “And you expect me to believe that stealing the ring was only an afterthought?”
    She pulled the ring off her finger and flung it at him. It bounced off his chest and flew onto the bed. “I don’t want your damn ring; I never did. Despite what you think, I’m neither a whore nor a thief. I told you I only took it to reinforce my story. If you’ll just listen without shouting or trying to punch holes in the wall, I’ll explain. I’ve thought this all out.”
    Clay snorted. “What a surprise. You figure out something else to your advantage?”
    Her eyes pleaded with him. “Clayton, I don’t want your money and I never had any intention of making husbandly demands on you. I’m quite capable of taking care of myself, no matter what Mr. Scott thinks. I just need your name so I can leave with that wagon train tomorrow. Once we get to California, I’ll have the marriage annulled.”
    Clay snapped up his head. “Annulled? How is that possible, after we—”
    “We never consummated the marriage, Clayton. You passed out and slept through the night. I simply lay down in the bed next to you.”
    Clay started to laugh, relief flooding him. “Then I’ll apply for an annulment right here before we even leave Independence.”
    “I’ll deny it if you do—and Judge Wilkins will believe me because he saw us in a very compromising position. All I ask for is your cooperation, Clay. We don’t even have to speak to each other on the trip, and I swear to God that I’ll give you that annulment as soon as we reach California. You’ve got nothing to lose, meanwhile.”
    It was probably a mistake, but despite his anger, he was beginning to believe her. And hell, if it was so important for her to get to California, there’d be no satisfaction in his trying to prevent it. Besides, that way he could keep an eye on her to make sure she lived up to her promise. And she was right: What difference would a few months make?
    But he still couldn’t excuse the tactics she’d used; she should have been truthful with him from the start.
    Clay walked to the bed and picked up the ring. “What about the theft of my name? Did you even think of anything but your own interests?”
    “And I suppose you had my welfare in mind when you came into my room in the first