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unsettled him. He bristled.
212
Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
George's words suddenly hit Collin. His eyes widened.
"You've already met my wife?"
If it were possible, Serenity grew even more pale, and
Collin's protective nature took over. "I didna know my wife
consulted you, George. But then, being newly married, we
have other things on our minds." He winked, sliding a
possessive arm around her.
"Oh, I ... I must have spoken out of turn." George stroked
his gray muttonchops with a trembling hand. "I ... I just
assumed Mrs. MacClarron had told you about her desire to
overturn her father's will."
Collin felt Serenity stiffen, but outwardly she remained
calm. It was those eyes, though, that spoke volumes about
her churning emotions. In them, he saw regret, tinged with
fear. He watched her take a deep breath and struggle for
control of the situation.
"My mind has been so full what with being a new bride
and all. I know I mentioned that Father had left his business
to another relative."
"I remember something of the sort," Collin muttered,
recalling the conversation they'd had during their picnic. His
gaze probed hers. Why hadn't she told him all of it?
And now wasn't the place to talk. But damn it he wanted
answers. Of course, he doubted she'd offer any, even if they
were alone. His wife kept her own counsel. From what little he
had gathered of her background, Collin assumed this was a
learned trait. She had been forced at an early age to accept
the reverse role of parent and decision-maker.
* * * *
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Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
Serenity relished Collin's protective hold and wondered
how long it would last. Behind George, she could see
Rudgewick watching her. Would he add his comments to the
mix, or make her wait for him to mete out his own special
brand of punishment for leaving him? She winced at the sight
of the scar she'd inflicted, marring his handsome face. He
reached up, running a long, tapered finger over its jagged
edges. When his cold eyes met hers, the anger there made
her body quiver with fear.
George cleared his throat. "Where are my manners? Collin,
here's someone I would like you meet Rudgewick
Tarrington, who's with the railroad company."
Serenity watched nervously as her husband shook hands
with the man who had made her life a living nightmare.
"Oh, and this is Mrs. MacClarron," George said. "She's
from New York, too."
"Charmed, Mrs. MacClarron." Rudgewick lingered over her
new last name as he bent to kiss her hand.
Serenity fought the impulse to rip her hand away, but
creating a scene was the last thing she wanted to do,
although, Rudgewick's insolent stare dared her to try. He
wasn't finished with her, she realized. Like an animal caught
in the fangs of a predator, she would have to wait for the final
deathblow.
"There you are," Anna drawled, approaching Rudgewick.
She looked all sweetness and light in a pink rosebud dress.
"Mama told me there was a handsome stranger in our midst."
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Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
"Thank you for the compliment, lovely lady." Rudgewick's
voice was satiny smooth and sent a shiver of trepidation up
Serenity's spine. "I hope we won't be strangers long, Miss..."
"Actually, it's Mrs. Ralston. I'm a widow. My husband
passed away last April after being bitten by a rattlesnake. I'm
still adjusting to being alone."
Serenity could see Rudgewick's eyes scanning Anna. She
didn't like the young widow, but attracting Rudgewick's
unsavory attention wasn't a fate Serenity would wish on any
woman.
Collin squeezed her shoulder. "Care to dance? I can see
Inga motioning for us to start."
She hesitated a moment. Her brows furrowed with
concern. "Do you think we should?" she whispered. "I'm not
out of mourning yet."
Collin took her hand, kissing it, before tucking it in the
crook of his arm. "This is our wedding dance. More people
would talk if you didna dance than if you did. There is
probably some superstition about bad luck if you didna.
Besides, it's a tradition."
She sighed, letting him lead her to the area that had been
cleared away for dancing. When he swept her into his arms,
Serenity savored the delights of having his hard body
brushing against hers as they swayed to the music. Then, out
of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Rudgewick
leading Anna out to dance. Serenity's heart stopped. How
could she warn Anna about Rudgewick without giving Anna
the ammunition to tear her marriage apart?
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Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
"You look a wee bit pale, sweetheart." Collin's baritone
voice somehow broke through the blood pounding in her ears.
"Are you worried about my reaction to your talkin' to George
Brown?"
Serenity lifted her gaze to meet his intent one, but she
could think of no honest response to his gentle probe.
"I dinna like lies, Serenity," Collin said with deceptive
softness. "But I can accept you've been overwhelmed with all
that has been recently thrown your way. Think on this,
sweetheart. We canna have a real marriage without trust."
Without trust. The words echoed in her mind. She wanted
to reach out to him. She needed Collin's strength, but there
was no way she could confide in her husband. Half of the
story would be more damning than the complete truth, which
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