Mail Order Bride 22 Book Boxed set: 22 Brides Ride West :CLEAN Western Historical Romance Series Bundle

by Faye Sonja

  Ben straightened and smiled. “Yes, if Eve decided to leave, she’d have to leave everything that Haines Press ever published, but she couldn’t always make more.” Ben shrugged.

  Robert stood, bringing up a very shocked Eve with him. He still held her hand. He turned to everyone. “I know that you men have a problem with a woman running the company and that you want her to take a step back. You have enough power to make such a request, however, you will all respect my wife for the lady that she is. Disrespect her again and the next time we meet, we might be having a very different discussion.” He turned and headed for the door. He paused when he got there and turned to Mr. Howard. “Oh, and it’s not boy and girl. It’s Mr. and Mrs. Manning to you.” Then he left with the only person smiling being Mr. Lowe.

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  8

  Chapter EIGHT

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  “ Whether I am or have ever been married

  is no longer any of your concern.”

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  That night, while Princess Evelyn slept, a pack of wolves snuck into their cave. The young prince said, “I will slay these wolves and protect the princess.” And he did.

  Eve saw Lewis and Clark to bed and then braced herself for the encounter to come. She walked down the stairway, down the long hall, past the kitchen, and found Robert in her father’s study. He was sitting behind her father’s desk in her father’s chair. A book was in his hand. It was a Princess Evelyn book. The fire blazed on the right of him, casting a large shadow across the book-lined walls. The room was warm, but when Robert looked at her, she shivered.

  He began to stand, but Eve lifted a hand. “No, you don’t have to move.”

  Robert hesitated before regaining his seat. Eve walked further into the room and stopped in front of the desk. Robert put his book down on the wooden desk, making sure to face it down, as to keep his page. He drew his brows together. “What’s the matter?”

  Eve shook her head. She sighed, “Why did you do what you did today?”

  Robert sat very still. “Do what?”

  Eve blinked a few times and ran a hand through her hair. “The whole, ‘how many writers would leave with me’ thing?”

  Robert leaned back in the chair. “To send home a point.”

  “And what was that point?”

  “That you are Haines Press and without you, it’s nothing but a name.”

  Eve shook her head. “But I want the name, Robert. But now that they’re scared, what if they decide to join together and kick me out of the company?”

  “Was that not their plan before you married?”

  Eve took one of the chairs that was in front of the desk. “You’re right.”

  Robert nodded. “And I know how much you want the name, so we would never abandon the name ‘Haines Press’.”

  Eve’s hands flew up. “So, then what was that all about?”

  Robert sighed. “We needed to get a feel of the room and see who we’re working with.”

  “And what did you see?”

  “A bunch of men who are driven by money.”

  Eve leaned on one of her arms. “So, what does that do for you?”

  “For us.”

  Eve lifted a brow. “Us?”

  Robert nodded. “You may not have official control of the company, Eve, but you are very important to its inner workings.”

  Eve sighed. “I want to control it.”

  “I know.” Robert stood and came to kneel before her feet. He took her hands in his. “I promise you that I will not do anything that you completely detest.”

  Eve took her hands back. “Sorry, but I don’t trust you enough to believe you.”

  “What would make you believe me?”

  “I don’t know right now.”

  “Alright.”

  Eve narrowed her eyes.

  Robert laughed. “What did I do now?”

  “I want to change the topic and you give in.”

  “I’m easy.”

  Eve laughed. “That’s doubtful, Mr. Manning.”

  “Robert.”

  “Robert.”

  “C.C. Reed, huh?”

  Eve went still. “You know, don’t you?”

  Robert smiled. “I’m surprised Joe Dawson doesn’t.”

  Eve smiled. “Before you came along, there were only two people who knew.”

  “Clara is a phenomenal writer. How does she keep her secret?”

  “I keep it for her.”

  “Then you’re a phenomenal friend.” Robert took her hand back.

  Eve rolled her eyes. “Flattery won’t work on me, Robert.”

  Robert’s dark eyes stared up into hers. “Alright, what will?”

  Eve laughed. “I don’t know.”

  “I want you to like me, Eve.”

  Eve paused. Robert continued. “Why do you hate the young, Mr. Perch?”

  Eve felt that familiar heat spreading through her again. “Because he’s weak and he hides behind me.”

  Robert narrowed his eyes. His grip on her hand tightened. “What do you mean?”

  Eve tried for a calming breath. “Mr. Perch is having a hard time running his father’s business, so he believes, that since I am a woman, I would have trouble running the publishing company.”

  “And that angers you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  Eve shook her head and tried to find the words to express herself. “Instead of being judged by my work, I get judged on my gender. I couldn’t possible know what I’m doing, especially if there is a man who’s more clueless than I am.”

  Robert kept his eyes steady on Eve. “I’m sorry, Eve.”

  Eve shook her head as she stood. “Don’t apologize. You’re no better than they are.”

  Robert stood as well. He touched her arms; lightly. “You can’t mean that.”

  Eve felt as though her body would burst into flames. “Yes, I do!”

  Robert’s grip tightened on her arms. He looked into her eyes. “Do you honestly believe that?”

  Eve closed her eyes, and pulled herself away from looking into Robert’s face. She went still as she processed his question. He spoke before she could come up with anything. “I thought you were amazing today.”

  Eve opened her eyes and stared at the man holding her once more. “How? I didn’t say anything.”

  “Exactly.”

  Eve narrowed her eyes. “You mean I stayed in my place like a good woman should?”

  Robert shook his head. He smiled. “No, I mean you controlled yourself in the face of adversity. Even I couldn’t bare hold onto my own restraints.” Robert loosened his grip on Eve; giving her the opportunity to step back, but she didn’t. His large hands, now loose, began to gently brush against the bare skin of her arms in a soothing up and down movement.

  Eve relaxed in his grip. “Why’d you say the things you said earlier today?”

  Robert whispered. His face softened. “What did I say?”

  Eve swallowed and looked up into his arms. “The stuff about respecting me or else.”

  Robert shook his head. His eyes darkened; as if they could. “No, I was very serious and made myself very clear.” His dark eyes remained gentle, but his face seemed to become set.

  Eve’s voice came out breathy. “What will you do if they disrespected me again?”

  Robert leaned forward, and held his lips just above hers. “Make them regret it.”

  And then Robert was kissing her. Eve sank into his arms, and braced her hands on the tops of his strong shoulders as Robert took advantage of her soft lips. They felt like everything Robert had thought they would. Home.

  His hands moved up to Eve’s face. His fingers laced themselves in her hair. The strands were like strong silk and the free threads moved loosely around his hands; the benefit of her shorter hair style. He loved it. She felt so warm in his hands. A sigh left Eve
’s lips just as she took a step back. Robert reached for her again, but Eve held up her hand; giving him the signal for ‘no’. He stopped.

  Eve’s hands went to her lips. “Why’d you kiss me?”

  Robert blinked a few times. “You’re my wife.”

  Eve shook her head, but said nothing. Her eyes darted around the room, touching everything but Robert’s eyes.

  Robert narrowed his eyes. “Eve, you’ve been married before. Was it not like this? Even in the early years?”

  Eve’s eyes met his. They were wide. And then there was pain. Robert couldn’t help but touch her then. “Eve, I’m sorry.” He drew her to himself, she fought a little, but the moment they were pressed together, she stopped fighting. Instead, she sank into the embrace. Robert rubbed her back. “You don’t have to answer that.”

  Eve shook her head and pulled back to look up at him. Robert had expected to see pain, but instead, he saw… nothing. It reminded him of the look she’d given him in the park just yesterday. That same look she’d given as she’d spoken of a life lacking of ‘ease’. There was no pain, no sorrow, no anger. It was passionless. The flames from the fireplace made the gold in her hazel eyes stand out in the dark. “It was like this in the beginning.”

  Robert went still. “What happened?”

  Eve looked away; thinking. Her eyes came back to meet Robert’s. “Nothing.”

  Robert frowned. “What do you mean?”

  Eve shrugged before becoming almost boneless again in his arms. “One day he loved me and the next he didn’t.”

  Robert shook his head. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

  Eve gave a small laugh that had nothing to do with humor. “Then maybe it’s me.”

  Robert looked down at the woman who stood before him; taking all of her in. She spoke of her painful past, but where were the tears? Where was the anger? “How could you be so calm about all of this?”

  Eve shrugged. She grinned. “Maybe it’s the flowers.”

  Robert laughed, because he couldn’t help but do it. It was such a serious conversation, but Eve managed to make light of it. He shook his head. “Don’t you hate him?”

  Eve shook her head. “No. Hating him would take too much energy.” She sighed. “I’ve got two boys to raise. No time for resentment.”

  Robert shook his head. “But you hate Mr. Perch.”

  Eve lifted a brow. “Mr. Perch is in my way.”

  “Am I not in your way?”

  Eve frowned. “Yes, you are.”

  “But you don’t hate me.”

  “I’m trying to.”

  Robert leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers. “Don’t.”

  Eve sighed. “I should.” She leaned up, bringing her lips to meet his. Robert returned the kiss with as much passion as he felt. Eve sighed and pushed him back again. Robert opened his eyes to find hers fluttering open again. She gave him a sad smile. “I need to hate you.”

  Robert’s arms went all the way around her, bring her in as much as he could. “Why?”

  Eve’s face was back to her emotionless mask. “Because one day you’ll hurt me.”

  Robert shook his head. “Why would I do that?”

  Eve shrugged. “Because you’re a man.”

  Robert’s brows flew up. “Why, Mrs. Manning? I believe you are being prejudice.”

  Eve laid her head against Robert’s chest. “With good reason.”

  Robert sighed. He stepped back and took Eve’s hand. He led her around the office desk and retook the chair he’d been in before she came to the office. He brought Eve down to sit on his lap. Robert wrapped his arms around her. She sat there stiff for a moment, but then relaxed. Robert sighed once her beautiful eyes met his. “How about this? You be fair towards me and I’ll be fair towards you?”

  Eve frowned. “What’s that mean?”

  “It means, that you not be prejudiced against me and I’ll treat you as if you were a man.”

  Eve frowned even more. Robert laughed. “I mean, I will treat you as a woman. I will treat you as my equal.”

  Eve narrowed her eyes, but then slowly, her face bloomed brightly before his eyes. She was like an angel. She turned her head away for a moment before facing him again. “Deal.”

  Robert nodded. “Let us then seal it with a kiss.”

  Eve leaned forward, but paused; still meeting his eyes. “You hurt me and I’ll skin you like a rabbit.”

  Robert’s eyes widened, but he was still smiling. “Oh, Mrs. Manning, I do believe we will have so much fun together.”

  Eve smiled again, right before laying a big one on him.

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  9

  Chapter NINE

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  “ Whether I am or have ever been married

  is no longer any of your concern.”

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  The next day, the young prince and Princess Evelyn finally reached the princess’s city. The young prince was so frustrated. He’d never told the princess about the scorpions, or the fish, or the pack of wolves. He’d never told the Princess how brave he’d been, but when he was presented to the King, Princess Evelyn smiled and said, “Father, I slew a dragon, a crab, a lion, and a bandit. But, while I slept, the young prince slew a field of scorpions, a group of eels, and a pack of wolves and deserves an award.”

  Two months later, Eve rushed in through the front doors of Haines Press, later than she’d been in the last few months. She hadn’t been this late since she’d taken charge of the company. She made a quick sweep of the room to find Robert already at a drawing board with Benjamin. Florence was standing with them as well. She put on a smile and said good morning to most of the people she passed, but didn’t stop until she reached the small group. Benjamin had an impatient look on his face. Florence matched it. Eve turned to Robert; the enemy.

  For the last two months, Eve had held true to her bargain with Robert. She’d put down her guard, which allowed him to do the same. They’d worked well together. Robert had been keeping true to his promise of treating her like an equal. Whatever Eve didn’t like didn’t happen, but the changes Robert had made seemed to open them up to more money. Robert had created a separate division at the paper for things that people like Mr. Wright would approve of. He’d published Bess Wright’s book on manners for young woman in the west. The book, after heavy editing, had actually done well. Eve read it with humor, as she knew many other people probably did as well, but the book was also heavily received as the perfect coming-of-age gift for a young woman’s birthday.

  Robert didn’t make any moves without Eve’s okay and vice versa. They worked great together; better than Eve had ever worked with anyone else. Robert didn’t have to be as nice as he was being, but he was. Or at least, he had been, until this morning.

  Eve looked at Robert’s face, which had slowly descended from a smile upon seeing her, to an expression that was completely neutral by the time she’d made her way over. Robert wore a white button down shirt with the arms rolled up to the elbows. His pants were black. A black and red bowtie was around his neck; a much darker red than his hair. His skin had started to tan, which had only made him more beautiful. He looked nice and refreshed. A red mug of coffee was in his hands.

  Eve stepped closer to him so that Ben and Florence wouldn’t hear her. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

  Robert’s face didn’t flinch. “You seemed tired. I was letting you rest.”

  Eve narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure it had nothing to do with your plans?”

  Robert brought the mug up to his lips. “What plans?”

  Eve drew her brows together. Florence cut in. “I think we should put the ad for the circus going to Kansas City on the front.”

  Ben shook his head. “No, Kansas City is secondary to Haines city’s best interests. We should advertise local events first.”

  Florence turned to Eve. “What do you
think?” Florence did more than just illustrate the cover art and pictures in the books that Haines Press sold. Sometimes, she did the drawing for the local ads as well.

  Eve had so much going on in her head that she found it hard to even concentrate. She didn’t want to go off in front of her employees, but she could feel the heat begin to rush through her veins. She turned to Robert who was still sipping from his mug. She smoothed a hand down her white sports suit. The outfit had a black lining and cuffs. She wore a red hat. She realized that she and Robert matched. She looked up at him and found him looking at her outfit too. His smile brightened. Eve crossed her arms. “What did you tell them to do with the advertisement?”

  Robert put his mug down and then slipped his hands into his pants. “I only made a suggestion, but told them to do nothing until you got here.”

  Eve turned to Florence for confirmation. Florence crossed her arms and sighed. “No, he hasn’t told us to do anything.”

  Eve turned back to Robert who was still standing in front of her with his hands in his pockets. She looked to Florence and then Ben, then back at Robert, who was still just standing there, looking innocent as always. Eve shook her head. Robert was good, but now, she knew the snake that he was.

  Robert shook his head. “If you’re looking for something negative, you’ll soon find it.”

  Eve dropped her shoulders. “What’s that mean?”

  “You’re waiting for me to mess up so you can catch me going back on my word.”

  Eve felt an ache in her heart. She crossed her arms. “But you have messed up.”

  Robert took his hands out of his pockets and detangled Eve’s arms. He took her hand and then led her away from the group; and the eyes of everyone else that was watching. Robert spoke low. “You have to trust me, Eve.”