Ryan's Bride by Maggie James Read Free Book Online Page A

wealthiest could afford them, and they were not found around fishing villages.
    She maneuvered to change the subject. “That’s all there is to tell about me. As I said before, I’m an orphan, and I have no family. So can we talk about the trip to America? What will it be like?”
    “We’ll be sailing on the Black Ball Line from Le Havre. It’s a steam packet called the Victory , the same one my cousin and I came over on.”
    “And what’s a packet?” She knew, but again wanted to appear ignorant of such things.
    “A packet carries mail, goods, and passengers. It’s comfortable. I think you’ll like it. I’ll go by the Black Ball office this afternoon to see if I can get a cabin for us. My cousin and I slept in berths in a dormitory coming over. Ladies had a separate room. I’ll see what other accommodations are available.”
    She felt her cheeks warm to think about sharing a room with him and ducked her head to eat her soup.
    “The crossing should take around three weeks, a bit faster than the trip over.”
    “And why is that?”
    “Owing to westerly winds, the eastward trip is usually made in shorter time than the westward. We should have good weather, too, so you probably won’t get sick.”
    She felt a twinge of worry. “Why would I?”
    “I thought you said you were raised in a fishing village. Surely you know how the roll of the sea can make you nauseated.”
    She took a gulp of wine, because she could feel herself tensing, afraid to say the wrong thing. “I never went out in a boat. I don’t like the water.”
    He grinned. “But as you keep reminding me, you hear people talk.”
    She shook her head and forced a smile, then gulped her wine again. “No. Sorry. I just hope I don’t get sick and become a nuisance to you.”
    “You should be fine. I didn’t have any trouble coming over, and neither did my cousin.”
    “Was he the man with you the day you caught me?”
    “Yes. His name is Corbett. I hope the two of you will get along. He and his wife live in the house with my father and me.”
    Angele wondered how big the house was. The manor where she had grown up had over a hundred rooms. She could never remember exactly.
    “They have a son,” Ryan went on. “He’s a bit spoiled, but then so is Clarice—that’s Corbett’s wife. But don’t worry, she’s also French, so the two of you should get along quite well.”
    Angele certainly hoped so. She didn’t want any problems.
    Ryan Tremayne was offering her a whole new life, and while she still couldn’t quite grasp the reality of it all, she knew she wanted it more than anything. He seemed kind and good and generous, and she dared believe they might be happy. She certainly intended to do her part to make it happen.
    Ryan nodded to the empty soup bowl, bread plate, and wineglass. “Would you like more?”
    “No, but it was all wonderful. Thank you.”
    “Well, we’ll see to it you get something more substantial for dinner. I just didn’t want to shock your stomach right now by letting you eat too much.”
    He left her to find the waiter and pay the bill, remembering his promise of generosity to the maître d’. When he returned, Angele was asleep, her head resting on the table. He gently touched her shoulder.
    She bolted upright, embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. I guess it was the wine.”
    “No need to apologize.” They went outside, and he suggested, “Maybe I should take you to my hotel and let you get some rest. I can have a boutique send over something suitable for you to wear for dinner. I think I can guess your size.”
    “I don’t know,” she said uncertainly. “I mean, to go to your hotel…”
    “Don’t worry. I’ll get your own room for you. I do that for all the girls at my bordello.”
    Angele laughed, confident he was only teasing.
    They began walking, and she tucked her hand in the crook of his arm, carefully avoiding the curious stares from those they passed.
     
     
    The desk