Johanna: Bride of Michigan (American Mail-Order Bride 26) by Clara Kincaid

now. I was worried when you were upstairs so long. I almost thought you were in your husband’s room.” She giggled.
    Johanna shook her head sadly. She didn’t want to share how she really felt about Paul. What if Sara told someone? No, she wanted Paul to come to her in his own time and hopefully profess his love for her.
    Sara worked the buttons of Johanna's dress and it was gently pulled off. “You can leave after you loosen my corset,” Johanna said. “I can do the rest myself.”
    Sara hung up her dress and pulled the strings of Johanna’s corset then left the room quietly. Johanna wiggled out of the corset and took her shoes off. She pulled up her chemise just enough to glance at her reddened scar, wishing it didn’t look as monstrous as she thought. No, she was wrong on that account. It was hideous. When she and Paul finally slept in the same bed, she’d demand the lights be off, if that was at all possible.
    Johanna tugged off her chemise and pulled out her nightgown, putting it on. Blowing the oil lamp out, she climbed into bed, hoping Paul would still take her to the mill in the morning. She snuggled against her pillow. She had overreacted to what he said, but he was so right. She did enjoy the kiss!

Chapter Nine
    Johanna grumbled when Sara woke her up early the next morning. “I’m sorry, Miss, but your husband told me to tell you if you wanted to head to the mill with him today, you’ll have to hurry. Mornings are the best time for a tour.”
    She reluctantly rolled out of bed and Sara was standing in such a way that she saw Johanna’s scar. Her eyes widened and she let out a gasp. “I’m sorry, Miss.”
    Johanna sighed noisily. “Why are you sorry? I’m the one with a hideous scar, not you. Promise me you won’t tell my husband. He’ll boot me out, for sure.”
    “I hardly think Mr. Worthington would do that. However did you get that scar? It doesn’t look all that old.”
    “How would you know?”
    “It’s quite red, for one. Older scars are more white in color.”
    “Part of the machine I was working on came loose, and even though I jumped out of the way, a piece of metal sliced my leg open. It was a dreadful injury, and I had a horrible infection since the factory owner didn’t get me the proper medical treatment. If it hadn’t been for some of the other women at the factory who had healing hands, I’d have lost my leg or died.”
    “I’m so sorry. I’m glad you didn’t die, but I wouldn’t worry about that scar. When you’re in your husband’s bed, he won’t even be looking at that.” She laughed.
    Johanna joined her in laughter. “I’m glad you saw it, since it’s been hard concealing it from you. Can I trust you to not breathe a word about this to anyone?”
    “Of course, Mrs. Worthington. Part of being a lady’s maid is keeping your secrets private.”
    “Also, I demand that when we’re alone, you are to address me as Johanna. You’re my lady’s maid and confidant, I hope.”
    Her mouth and eyes widened. “I can’t! It’s just not done.”
    “Oh, bother.” Johanna waved her arms grandly and announced, “I proclaim that you shall henceforth call me Johanna when we’re alone.” She giggled.
    “Fine, Johanna, but you had better hurry. I know you’ll love the outing to the mill today.”
    Johanna slipped on a clean chemise and corset. Sara held up a beige dress with a tapered jacket and bell skirt. “This should fit,” she suggested.
    “Where did you get this dress from, Sara?”
    “Oh, it was lying around.”
    Johanna’s hands slipped to her hips. “Really?” she asked in doubt.
    “I took one of your dresses over to Anna so she could determine your size. She’s a friend of mine. She’s married to a lumberjack and works as a seamstress out of her home. Luckily, her sister was your size,” Sara admitted.
    “I’d hate to take the dress from her sister.”
    “She doesn’t need it. Sadly, she drowned in the river last year.”
    “Oh, how