Dakota Dreams (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon Page A
Authors: Constance O'Banyon
Tags: Fiction, adventure, Romance, Historical, Adult, Action, England, Western, Native Americans, 19th century, multicultural, warrior, buffalo, Gambling, Marriage of Convenience, Brother, Indian, heritage, fiancé, stranger, American West, promise, Paleface, DAKOTA DREAMS, Debts, Reckless Ride, Bethrothed, Philanderer, Arapaho Indian
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husband.
Harriet Milford rapped on the door and breezed into the room, without waiting to be invited. "Well, my dear," she exclaimed, her eyes shining with delight. "My cousin, the Marquess, is most pleased with you. He is smug because he has made a wise selection in a bride for his dear grandson."
Breanna did not much care for the woman, who seemed to take everything the Marquess said as a reverent statement of fact. "Will you be coming with me to Weatherford Hall, Harriet?" Breanna wanted to know.
"No, you will not need me from here on out. I will be leaving in the morning for a holiday in Bath with my husband."
Breanna was glad she would not have to endure this woman's company for much longer. She had no liking for the two members of this family that she had met thus far.
Harriet looked uncomfortable for a moment. "Breanna, my cousin has asked me to . . . he was wondering if you have any notion . . . of . . ."
Breanna fingered the lovely diamond brooch that the Marquess had given her, knowing why the woman was feeling uncomfortable. "My sister-in-law has told me a little of what my duties are as a wife, if that is what you are asking. The Marquess has been less discreet, and has made his views quite clear on the subject. He has arranged everything but the rope to tie me in bed with his grandson."
Harriet gasped in disbelief. "What you are implying is shameful. My cousin would not — "
Breanna was glad she had shocked the woman. She was angry with all the pretenses of trying to make this appear like a normal marriage. The Marquess had bought her for his grandson, and no amount of pretending otherwise would change that fact. "Your cousin has been vociferous in voicing his demands. You see, Harriet, the Marquess has pointed out, in no uncertain terms, that I am to be a breeder, and his grandson a stud."
Harriet's eyes widened in shock. "I am sure he knows what he is doing," she sputtered, looking at Breanna as if she were shameless. "I will say good-bye to you now," she said, hurrying across the room to the door.
Breanna smiled to herself. Let the woman report their conversation to her cousin. She hoped the Marquess would be very displeased with her—her face stiffened—she hoped the Marquess's grandson would find her totally unacceptable!
8
When the coach conveying Breanna to Weatherford Hall came to a halt before the great house, she was quickly assisted to the ground by a smiling footman. As she ascended the steps, she glanced back at the three coaches that carried her belongings and had to admit that the Marquess had not exaggerated when he'd told her that she would be showered with beautiful possessions. Eleven trunks were bulging with gowns, shoes, and bonnets for every occasion. The jewels he had bestowed upon her were worth a king's ransom and were locked away in six velvet-lined chests.
Breanna would gladly have returned everything in exchange for her freedom. She realized that she had somehow lost control of her own destiny.
A column of servants stood on the steps awaiting her pleasure, while she glanced out at the rugged Cornwall countryside. Weatherford Hall was a red brick Tudor-style palace which had been built in the reign of Elizabeth. Built by the first Marquess of Weatherford, after he tore down the original Norman castle that had stood on the site, it was perched high on a cliff overlooking the rock-strewn shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean. Although Breanna could not see the ocean from the front of the house, she could hear the breaking waves splash against the cliff.
Harriet Milford had informed Breanna about the picturesque little village of Weatherford which was an important fishing port. Breanna looked forward to exploring the village and meeting the people who lived there.
Here, in this alien land, with no friend or family member to stand at her side, she was forced to await her husband's pleasure, and deep inside she was terrified.
***
The coach rattled down the London street. Levi
Harriet Milford rapped on the door and breezed into the room, without waiting to be invited. "Well, my dear," she exclaimed, her eyes shining with delight. "My cousin, the Marquess, is most pleased with you. He is smug because he has made a wise selection in a bride for his dear grandson."
Breanna did not much care for the woman, who seemed to take everything the Marquess said as a reverent statement of fact. "Will you be coming with me to Weatherford Hall, Harriet?" Breanna wanted to know.
"No, you will not need me from here on out. I will be leaving in the morning for a holiday in Bath with my husband."
Breanna was glad she would not have to endure this woman's company for much longer. She had no liking for the two members of this family that she had met thus far.
Harriet looked uncomfortable for a moment. "Breanna, my cousin has asked me to . . . he was wondering if you have any notion . . . of . . ."
Breanna fingered the lovely diamond brooch that the Marquess had given her, knowing why the woman was feeling uncomfortable. "My sister-in-law has told me a little of what my duties are as a wife, if that is what you are asking. The Marquess has been less discreet, and has made his views quite clear on the subject. He has arranged everything but the rope to tie me in bed with his grandson."
Harriet gasped in disbelief. "What you are implying is shameful. My cousin would not — "
Breanna was glad she had shocked the woman. She was angry with all the pretenses of trying to make this appear like a normal marriage. The Marquess had bought her for his grandson, and no amount of pretending otherwise would change that fact. "Your cousin has been vociferous in voicing his demands. You see, Harriet, the Marquess has pointed out, in no uncertain terms, that I am to be a breeder, and his grandson a stud."
Harriet's eyes widened in shock. "I am sure he knows what he is doing," she sputtered, looking at Breanna as if she were shameless. "I will say good-bye to you now," she said, hurrying across the room to the door.
Breanna smiled to herself. Let the woman report their conversation to her cousin. She hoped the Marquess would be very displeased with her—her face stiffened—she hoped the Marquess's grandson would find her totally unacceptable!
8
When the coach conveying Breanna to Weatherford Hall came to a halt before the great house, she was quickly assisted to the ground by a smiling footman. As she ascended the steps, she glanced back at the three coaches that carried her belongings and had to admit that the Marquess had not exaggerated when he'd told her that she would be showered with beautiful possessions. Eleven trunks were bulging with gowns, shoes, and bonnets for every occasion. The jewels he had bestowed upon her were worth a king's ransom and were locked away in six velvet-lined chests.
Breanna would gladly have returned everything in exchange for her freedom. She realized that she had somehow lost control of her own destiny.
A column of servants stood on the steps awaiting her pleasure, while she glanced out at the rugged Cornwall countryside. Weatherford Hall was a red brick Tudor-style palace which had been built in the reign of Elizabeth. Built by the first Marquess of Weatherford, after he tore down the original Norman castle that had stood on the site, it was perched high on a cliff overlooking the rock-strewn shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean. Although Breanna could not see the ocean from the front of the house, she could hear the breaking waves splash against the cliff.
Harriet Milford had informed Breanna about the picturesque little village of Weatherford which was an important fishing port. Breanna looked forward to exploring the village and meeting the people who lived there.
Here, in this alien land, with no friend or family member to stand at her side, she was forced to await her husband's pleasure, and deep inside she was terrified.
***
The coach rattled down the London street. Levi
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