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

by Faye Sonja

  Ray led the way back up the stairs and Lydia followed. A footman ran down the stairs and went to grab their bags. Lydia had forgotten all about them in her need to be free of this place. She reached for them when he passed. “Let me take them.”

  The footman shook his head. “The lady of the manor doesn’t carry her bags.”

  ‘Lady of the manor?’ Lydia hadn’t even agreed to marry Ray, but it seemed the staff was just as used to his ways. Ray would get what he wanted in the end and there was no point in fighting him.

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  3

  Chapter THREE

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  “You can’t force me to marry you.”

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  Ray turned to face Lydia as the front door was closed behind her. As he bit down on his teeth, trying to ignore the pain that shot through his right leg, he watched as she took in her new home. He’d known she’d gone back to her former surname, but hearing that she’d not given Pauline her true identity had bothered him. No, Louis hadn’t been the best man, but the little girl with black wavy hair and ocean blue eyes was a Skilton. The name change would be one of the first things Ray would see to. Pauline still clung to her, but her eyes moved everywhere. Looking at her made Ray think of Louis. His brother had done a lot of bad in his life, including marrying Lydia, but Ray could see no fault in the little girl that stood next to her mother.

  He moved further into the entryway, causing Lydia and Pauline to follow a safe distance behind. Ray turned back to Lydia who stood in the center of the grand room. “Welcome to the Skilton Estate. This will be your new home. There are many amenities on the grounds. You’ll have very little reason to leave.”

  Lydia frowned, drawing attention to the largest pair of brown eyes Ray had ever seen. They sat over a larger than average nose and a full mouth. Lydia didn’t have the face of a woman on a magazine, but Ray had always been drawn to her. Lydia’s beauty was an acquired taste; a taste that suited Ray more than he wanted to admit. The nose stopped Lydia from being every man’s dream, but Ray had seen her eyes in his sleep on more than one occasion. Their dark tint matched her long brown hair that she wore straight at the moment. Ray knew the hair had been put down by a hot iron because he still remembered the way her hair had changed the one time they’d both gotten stuck in a sudden rainstorm in Hawaii. When they’d finally reached shelter, her hair had dried to deep waves that Ray had almost not been able to resist touching. They’d finally managed to stop arguing and for the first time Ray had realized his growing feelings for her, feelings for his dead brother’s wife. It was also the last time they’d ever had a minute of peace between them.

  Lydia crossed her arms. “Are we not allowed to venture into town?”

  Ray frowned. “Of course you are. George with be your driver—”

  “I like Thomas.”

  Ray narrowed his eyes. “Thomas is my driver.” He sighed. “But you can have Thomas if that’s who you truly want. He will take you anywhere you wish to go.” He waved a hand and the other staff drew closer. He introduced everyone by their names. There was Mr. Ford, the butler; Mrs. Crawford, the cook; Doris, the nanny; which after a long argument with Lydia was eventually allowed to take Pauline to a playroom that had been setup especially for her. A few maids and footmen, and lastly, Ellen. “Ellen will be your personal assistant. If you need anything, you ask her. She will also assist you in making your weekly itinerary and make sure you’re ready for any interviews or photos.”

  Lydia’s eyes went wide as she stared at Ellen. “Why would anyone want to interview me?”

  Ellen grunted. “You’re about to marry one of the wealthiest men in America. Everyone is going to want to talk to you.”

  “About?” she asked.

  Ray said, “About how you managed to get me to marry you.”

  Lydia scoffed. “Well, I’ll make sure to tell them the truth.”

  Ray smiled. “You’ll do no such thing. I can’t stand the press as it is, so you’ll nothing to keep them hanging around. Our story will be as simple as possible. As far as the world is concerned, this is a love match through Heart Arrangements.” It was what he and Orlando had agreed on. He shook his head. When he thought about it, he wasn’t sure who’d gotten the better part of the deal. While Ray was getting a feisty woman who didn’t want him, Orlando would be getting a party and free press on his behalf.

  Lydia crossed her arms. “So I married one Skilton and Heart Arrangements helped me get married to another?”

  Ray nodded. “It’ll make a good story for his company. The fact that there are men with money using his service will go a long way for him.”

  Lydia walked over to examine a potted tree. “It seems like a lot for someone else. And what is in it for you?”

  “You.”

  Lydia’s gaze met his.

  Ray looked over at Ellen.

  She lifted a brow at Ray, before looking between he and Lydia. Ray had told Ellen just a little about their history, but not everything, and he was sure he never would.

  A faint pair of footsteps grew louder as a man walked into the room from one of the far hallways. His smile crinkled around his eyes. “Is this the bride?”

  Ray nodded. “Pastor Bert Wells, this is Lydia Skilton.”

  Bert shook Lydia’s hand. “Hello, I’m the local pastor.”

  Lydia smiled at the man. “Oh, I look forward to hearing you preach.”

  “On what?” Bert asked.

  Lydia blinked a few times. “I beg your pardon?”

  Bert laughed. “What would you like the sermon to be on?”

  Lydia turned to Ray. “Is he serious?”

  Ray nodded and smiled, realizing how small a world Lydia was from. Where Ray came from, money could buy anyone and anything. Midcap, the entire shore city was Skilton and Knibbs territory. From the factory to the tiny shops that dotted Main St., everything was theirs. The Skiltons owned one side while Melvin, who’d never married or had children, owned the other side. The church that Bert preached at every week was also owned by the Skiltons.

  When a footman came over to offer Ray a chair, he waved the man off. “Pastor Wells, we’ll discuss the sermon’s topic at another time.”

  Bert nodded, smiled, and then clapped a hand over the Bible he held in the other. “Are we ready?”

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  Lydia felt like someone has sucked all the air out of the room. She turned to stare at Ray. “We’re getting married right now?”

  Ray stood a few feet away, both hands braced on his cane. “What would we wait for?”

  Lydia frowned. “Don’t you want an actual wedding with all the fixings?” Lydia didn’t, but then, she’d already married the man she’d wanted. Louis was gone, but Ray had never been married in his life, and it didn’t seem fair to make him miss his big day.

  Ray’s expression mirrored hers. He was quiet for a moment before saying, “Why would I?”

  Lydia blinked, hoping the hurt of his words didn’t show on her face. Why would I? The words were so simple, yet had cut Lydia deeply; not because she was in love with Ray or needed the attention, but because he did not see marriage in the same light that she did. She shook her head. “You have no idea what you’re doing.”

  His pale eyes drew narrow. “Yes, I do. I’m marrying my brother’s widow. I’m keeping the promise I made him.”

  Lydia walked over to Ray. She stopped when she was less than a foot away and looked up into his eyes. “Raymond, you’re about to make promises to me. You’re getting married. Perhaps, that is something you’d like time to think on.” And maybe after thinking about it, you’ll change your mind.

  Ray locked his hard jaw and closed his eyes. He took in a deep breath before letting it out and opening his eyes again. His eyes then roamed her face before he whispered, “I am fully aware that I will be making promises to you and I plan to keep every last one of them.”<
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  Lydia felt her face grow warm, but she held her ground. “How can you be so sure?”

  His eyes softened. “I’ve searched everywhere for you over the last year. You think I haven’t had time to think about what I’m doing?”

  Lydia wanted to run, but instead, held her ground and crossed her arms. She would not let Ray’s words get to her. “Fine, then let’s get this over with.” Pauline didn’t need to witness this. Lydia didn’t see it making a world of a difference in her two-year-old mind, and moreover, there really wouldn’t be anything to see.

  Ray rolled his eyes at Lydia’s statement before looking at Bert. He waved the preacher over.

  Bert hurried across the foyer and then opened his Bible.

  Lydia felt a kick to the gut when Bert began to read. Her breathing came quick. It was so quick. It was too soon. Less than an hour ago, she’d been looking for a way to escape, and now, she was getting ready to become Mrs. Skilton once again. It was all just too much.

  A pair of hands reached out and grabbed her arms, steadying her from fainting. The sound of something hitting the floor brought Lydia’s mind back to the room. Her eyes followed the arm to its owner. Ray. The hold was firm, allowing Lydia to feel his strength. Her eyes went up to his. They stared at her, holding her stare just as strong as his grasp on her. Ray’s jaw locked and Lydia saw the strain it was taking to hold her up, yet he did. He held her while holding his own weight. She’d thought him weak, if his hands and stance were any indication, then Lydia had been wrong. Ray was strong.

  “I do,” he said, while keeping Lydia captured in his hands.

  Lydia swallowed, shocked that they’d made it so far into the ceremony already. Lydia looked over to Pastor Wells and found him staring at her expectantly. He was waiting on her to commit to a list of oaths she hadn’t even heard. Lydia took a deep breath. “I do.”

  Wells closed his Bible. “You can kiss the bride.”

  Lydia stared at Wells and then turned to Ray. “We don’t have to do this.”

  Ray smiled. Letting go of one of Lydia’s arms, he captured her chin, forcing her to tilt her face up towards him, bringing her lips close. “I believe that we do.”

  Lydia opened her mouth to protest, but her words were cut off by the feel of Ray’s warm mouth on hers. His soft lips, at first, moved softly over her own, before pressing further. Lydia felt herself sink into the kiss, laying her hands on Ray’s shoulders. Ray’s hands came to wrap around Lydia’s back and pulled her in. It was the feel of them pressed together that jolted Lydia out of his arms.

  Had Thomas not been standing by Ray’s side and close enough to catch him, Ray would have fallen over and on top of her. Lydia took another step back, covering her mouth with her hands. “I’m sorry.”

  Ray’s eyes grew dark. Someone handed him his cane and as soon as he was steady, he ripped himself from Thomas’ hold. To Wells, he said, “You’re done.”

  Wells headed for the door without another word. Much of the staff began to clear out right before Ray said, “Everyone leave.”

  Lydia took another step back, and watched the man before her transform. He hunched over and ran a hand down the outer calf of his right leg. He closed his eyes and looked down, trying to hide the pain, but it was too late, Lydia had already seen it.

  She retook the steps she’d previously retracted and reached a hand out towards him.

  “Leave,” he whispered, as if knowing Lydia’s hand hovered only an inch from contact.

  Lydia took her hand back. Ellen came over and touched her, startling her. The young girl gestured for Lydia to follow her and Lydia did, escaping the man she’d just pledged to spend the rest of her life with.

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  4

  Chapter FOUR

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  “You can’t force me to marry you.”

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  “That’s the last time you pick a movie.”

  Lydia glanced over to Ray as they ran down the street. Lightning lit the sky and broke through the night, highlighting his face. “Well, that’s the last time I allow you to take me to one,” she shouted back over the thunder cracking through the sky.

  The pair sprinted through the three inches of rain as they made a dash for the diner across the street. Five seconds of getting rained on and Lydia was soaked. The newspaper she held over her head had done nothing to stop the sheets of water that came from all sides. Her white chiffon dress clung to her body, weighing down her steps. The storm had come out of nowhere, which was quite common in Hawaii.

  They had just stepped into the building as Ray continued, “Well good, because you being my brother’s wife, I shouldn’t have to take you to a film anyway. This whole day was ridiculous.” He peeled himself out of his drenched jacket, revealing an even more drenched shirt underneath. The white button down clung to his massive shoulders and arms. “There were flying monkeys, crazy colors, and Dorothy would have been played by someone younger.”

  Lydia gasped. “You’re crazy. That film was amazing.” She tried shaking water out of her dress, but it didn’t work. “And the music was wonderful.” She shook her head as she looked at him, wiping the hair from her face. “You know what? You’re like the Tin man. Heartless.”

  Ray shook out his pants. “Well, you’re…” He ran his hand through the short black hair that had fallen on his forehead, pushing it back, and finally bringing his blue eyes up to meet hers. His mouth, which had been ready to say something, closed as he stared at her.

  Lydia swallowed and looked away. When she turned back to him a moment later, he was still watching her. The only movement was the small drops of water that ran down Ray’s face. Lydia cleared her throat. “Well, who am I?”

  Ray blinked. “What?”

  Lydia tilted her head. “You were about to compare me to a character from the movie. Who am I?”

  Ray smiled. He opened his mouth, but was cut off by the hostess.

  The ringing of the phone on the nightstand woke Lydia up. She turned and found that Pauline still lay curled up on her side under a mask of black hair. The blinds had been opened, allowing light into the pink pastel room. A small table had a covered tray of food. A pair of matching mommy-daughter dresses that Lydia didn’t recognize hung over a red chair with curled wooden arms and legs. The blinds had been closed last night, which meant someone had been in the room while she slept, but after the day Lydia had had, she wasn’t surprised that she’d slept through the noise. It had been over a week since Lydia had married Ray and she still couldn’t get use to her new life.

  When the phone rang again, Lydia picked it up. “Hello?”

  “Lydia, how’s it going?”

  Lydia blinked a few times, not sure if the voice she was hearing was real. “Mrs. Danton?”

  Muriel Danton laughed, her voice raspy from years of chain smoking. “Hey, how’s it going, kid?”

  Lydia hadn’t heard the voice of her old boss in years. The woman had run her paper with an iron fist and Lydia had been so grateful to be part of the machine that kept it going. But that had been long ago, long before she’d married Louis. “Mrs. Danton… Hi. How are you?”

  Muriel laughed again. “Everything is the same on my end, but that’s not what’s important. How are you? Great, I bet. Married to a millionaire.” She whistled. “A man close to the action on the homelands. That’s got to be interesting.”

  Lydia frowned. “It’s fine.”

  “Well, Lydia, you know I don’t make social calls.”

  Lydia did know that. “How can I help you?”

  “You were always one of my best writers.”

  “Until you fired me.”

  “Until you lost focus and ran off with the first pretty boy to give you a second look.”

  Lydia sighed. The fight was old. “There’s no reason why I shouldn’t have been able to keep my job and marry. It’s not fair.”

/>   “Well, I don’t make the rules, Lydia.”

  Sense when? Lydia thought. “If this is not a social call, I’d like to know what this call is about?”

  “I want you to write a story for me.”

  Lydia frowned. “What kind of story?”

  “Your husband, Ray. He’s got inside information on the war, since he’s been building some of America’s top weapons. Rumor has it that his company is about to roll out something big. I want to know what it is.”

  Lydia scoffed. “No way. I don’t want to get involved anymore in Ray’s life than I am.”

  “What’s that suppose to mean?” Muriel asked. “It’s not paradise in that mansion of yours?”

  Lydia shut her mouth and mentally hit herself in the head for being so open with Muriel. The woman could easily sniff out a story. “Everything is fine. What I mean is, I won’t go snooping around on my husband. What Skilton and Knibbs does is none of my, or your business.”

  “Not when our tax dollars fund those weapons. I’m not asking for any classified documents. I just want to be the first to know what’s happening before anyone else does, understand?”

  Lydia understood and took a breath.

  Muriel said. “Come on, Lydia. You know you still love this. You know you miss the work. Plus, if the story is good you can expect quite a bit of money coming your way.”

  Money that could put her back on her feet and get her and Pauline away from Ray. Lydia closed her eyes. She wanted this, but knew it would be a bad decision. She needed to hang up, because Muriel had always been good at talking her into things.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  “I didn’t say yes.”

  “Yeah, but ‘I’ll think about it’ always meant ‘yes’ with you before.”

  Lydia’s door opened.