Bartered Bride Romance Collection (20 page)

Prologue

Baltimore, 1860

M
iss Handley.” Bethany startled from her daydream and accepted the letter. Most of the other girls in the airy parlor were sharing snippets from their missives, and one girl got yet another box from her mama, but Bethany expected nothing. The bold script on this envelope made her heart flutter. “Thank you, Mrs. Throckmorton. Please excuse me.”

Ignoring the other girls’ pleas to stay and read the post aloud, Bethany hastened to her bedroom with less decorum than might be seemly. She rounded her four-posted bed with the candlewicked spread and sat in the window seat. Carefully, she opened the envelope and withdrew the letter. Joshua used plain white stationery for his other three letters—each two pages long. This envelope was ivory vellum and contained but a single sheet.

My dear Miss Handley
,

Over the past five years, I feel I’ve had an opportunity to get to know you by way of my sister’s letters. In no way did Penny’s tales of the escapades, wit, and friendship you shared prepare me for the vibrant young lady I met when you joined our family for Christmas. The missives we’ve exchanged since then have deepened my regard for you and assured me of your Christian commitment
.

If there is no man who claims your heart or hand, I would be delighted and honored for you to consent to become my bride. I will endeavor to be a steady provider and thoughtful husband. The life of a physician’s wife is not an easy one. Above that, instead of offering an elegant bridal trip, we would set out to traverse the Oregon Trail. I know I ask much of you. Nonetheless, I am a man of faith, and I hope you will find it in your heart to accept my proposal
.

Should you be willing to be my helpmeet, join me in Independence on April 8th. We can wed at once, then spend the first days of our union settling the last-minute details for our adventure. In the event you hold other dreams and plans for your future, I wish you every happiness
.

Very truly yours,
Joshua Rogers

Tears filled her eyes. Ever since Penny became her roommate and shared all of her stories and letters from home, Bethany had desperately wanted to belong to such a family. During the Christmas season, she’d been their guest and met Joshua for the first time. The cheerful holiday season and the warmth the Rogerses—especially Joshua—extended to her counted as the happiest days of Bethany’s life.

“Oh, Lord, You’re giving me everything I could ever want. I’ll have a husband and finally be part of a wonderful family. Thank You for this.”

Bethany kept Joshua’s letter beside her as she sat at her writing desk. She dipped her pen in the crystal ink well and began,

Dear Dr. Rogers
,

Thank you for your lovely proposal. I’d be honored to become your wife. I cannot think of a sweeter home than a wagon or a finer roof than a canopy of stars…
.

Chapter 1

O
uch!” Bethany cringed as Penny shoved another hairpin into her light brown curls. “The Indians won’t have a chance to scalp me—you’re getting the job done before we even leave civilization!”

Penny giggled and shoved one last pin in place. “There. Independence will never see a lovelier scalp.”

Bethany looked up at her friend’s beautiful blond upsweep and refuted, “Your hair always looks wonderful.”

“Spoken like a true friend. Let’s get you into your gown. I don’t doubt Mrs. Throckmorton measured the seams within a half breath.”

“She did, but Letty was a dear. She added on a tiny bit so I wouldn’t have to be laced so miserably tight.” Bethany slipped into the white satin gown with Penny’s help and let her fasten the seemingly endless row of satin-covered buttons from hips to neck. She glanced at her reflection in the oak cheval mirror and fussed. “We cut the skirts much narrower so it wouldn’t take up so much space in my trunk.”

“You’re so wasp-waisted, we could have had you wear a pillow slip for a skirt, and you’d turn every man’s head.” Penny’s light blue taffeta gown rustled as she stood back and bobbed her head in approval. “We only have a few minutes. Where are your mama’s pearls?”

“Here. Uncle Bartholomew sent them.”

As Penny draped the luminous strand around Bethany’s neck and fastened it, she muttered, “You’d think the old goat could have delivered them himself.”

“I’m glad Uncle sent them. Had he come, he might well have given them to some other woman. I doubt he would have recognized me.”

Bethany didn’t even feel a pang at that fact. Orphaned at six, she’d spent the next five years trying, and failing, to be invisible and silent under the strict eye of Uncle Bartholomew’s housekeeper and a stern governess. While they both went out to a Temperance League meeting one afternoon, Bethany took it upon herself to sled down the stairs on a silver tray. Skirts flouncing, stockings drooping, and one braid unraveled, she ran straight into her uncle. The very next day, she’d been shipped to Mrs. Throckmorton’s Ladies’ Academy. Fortunately, the headmistress valued loving-kindness as much as decorum and education.

“Well, your mama’s pearls are your
something old
, and the dress Mrs. Throckmorton and the girls made you is your
something new
.” Penny pulled a gold and crystal hat pin from her own sash. “I brought this to help keep your veil in place. It’ll be your
something borrowed
.”

“Oh, Penny! It’s the one your papa gave to your mama—”

“On their first anniversary,” Penny completed with a smile. “She would have wanted you to borrow it, I’m sure.”

As they settled the sheer veil in place, Bethany confessed, “It feels scandalous, wearing a blue garter.”

Penny laughed. “For all of our escapades, that makes you feel disreputable? What about the time we—”

A knock on the door interrupted them. “Ladies, it’s time to go.”

Joshua stood at the altar and could hardly believe the vision beside him was real. Bethany handed his sister the bridal bouquet of Star of Bethlehem, phlox, flax, and violets he’d had delivered to her hotel, then knelt beside him so they could share Communion. The back of her gloved hand slid beneath her gossamer veil so she could partake of the elements.
Lord, bless our union…
.

He spoke his vows with assurance that no other woman could please him more. From the moment he’d met her, he’d lost his heart. Two weeks at Christmas and a few letters since were scarcely the courtship she deserved. Joshua thought about proposing and sending for her once he’d gotten settled in Oregon, but he was too smitten to wait. Then, too, he feared someone else would capture her affections if he delayed.

So here Bethany stood by his side. She turned to allow him to slip his mother’s wedding ring onto her finger. In accordance with tradition, she’d split the glove along the fourth finger to make it possible, and he noted with pleasure that his bride’s hand was both warm and steady. The flower-etched band fit perfectly. “With this ring, I thee wed and pledge thee my troth.”

She looked up at him through the veil so he could see her tremulous smile and wide green eyes.
This beautiful woman is my wife
.

“You may greet your bride.”

Joshua carefully lifted the veil and tucked it back over her glossy curls. She blinked; but since her cheeks turned a fetching pink, he suspected it was more from nervousness than the light. Settling one hand at her tiny waist, he cupped her cheek with the other and kissed her for the very first time.

Before he even drew back, Penny intruded and gushed, “Now we’re really sisters!”

His father embraced Bethany. “Welcome to the family, dear. You’re to call me ‘Papa’ from now on.”

Josh watched his bride’s smile warm. In that instant, he felt an odd twinge. He wanted the warmth of her smile to belong to him.
What if she just married me to be with them? She has no family, and Penny always said—

Bethany turned back to him. “Thank you for the flowers, Joshua. They’re lovely.”

“As are you.” He stepped into the space beside her that his father had vacated and barely touched the delicate lace on her sleeve. “Your gown does you justice.”

“Mrs. Throckmorton and all of my friends helped me.”

He chuckled softly. “You had three weeks. From what I’ve heard, the redoubtable headmistress could have marshaled an army and led it to victory in that time.”

Her gloved hand covered her lips as merry laughter bubbled out of her, and her eyes sparkled. “In half that time!”

With a few loud, bright flashes, the photographer took their portraits, and the wedding party moved to the hotel’s dining room. Josh wondered if Bethany regretted not having a huge wedding with pews full of guests, but her easy conversation and cheerful attitude convinced him she didn’t find their special day a disappointment.

Penny could take the credit for that. He’d never paid much attention to the fripperies and silly details of these affairs. The pricey ladies’ academy obviously taught those essentials, because Penny had swept into Independence and arranged for the church, music, the bridal suite at the hotel, and a special wedding supper. She’d even selected a new suit for him in honor of the occasion. In the end, Josh tended but one detail: Penny insisted Bethany wouldn’t want fancy hothouse roses. Though Josh had seen brides carry lilies, he associated them with his mother’s funeral, so he went out and gathered a bouquet of fresh wildflowers that very morning. When he’d seen them in Bethany’s hands, Josh knew he had chosen ones that suited her—bright, pure, and fresh.

Josh rose from the table and extended his hand. “May I have a bridal waltz?”

“Why, I’m honored to accept. Thank you.” Bethany beamed as she took his hand and let him lead her to the floor. Others noticed her attire and veil and left the floor as the chamber orchestra struck up a waltz.

“Doct—I mean, Joshua, this day has been perfect,” she said as she gracefully followed his lead.

He spun her and relished her graceful moves and the way they made her satin gown whisper. “I worried it would be a disappointment to you.”

“A disappointment? Oh, never!” She swayed to the music in his arms and flashed him an impish smile. “If anything, I’m relieved. I’d be embarrassed to make a big fuss when I’ve no family to fill my half of a church or reception. If you feel we’re missing out on any important customs, I’ll be sure to tie flowers and strings of old shoes to our wagon when we depart.”

Josh drew her closer and chuckled along with her. Her lightheartedness and ready laughter captivated him at their first meeting; and each time they were together, he grew to appreciate her sense of humor. He gave her hand a little squeeze and teased, “I hear shoe leather is too precious on the trail to waste like that.”

“Far be it from me to be a wasteful wife.”